Hey guys.
Wonder if I can get some help. Been kicking around getting a widescreen, HD CRT tv. Probably like a 34" or something. I've seen units locally (used) by Sony (the majority) and Philllips, for the most part. Any thoughts on these? Warnings? Recommendations for other brands?
Thanks!
Erik

The Sony sets were far better than all the others, in picture quality.

Regarding reliability or CRT longevity/quality, I do not know.

Hey guys.
Wonder if I can get some help. Been kicking around getting a widescreen, HD CRT tv. Probably like a 34" or something. I've seen units locally (used) by Sony (the majority) and Philllips, for the most part. Any thoughts on these? Warnings? Recommendations for other brands?
Thanks!
Erik

I think one of these would be nice too, kinda the best of both worlds if they really put the effort into the CRT, unlike the last 10-15 years of crap Chinese CRTs that gave tube sets a bad name.

Someone gave our church a really sweet Samsung HDTV CRT set. Normally I'd poo-poo a Korean set, but this set is an exception. 16:9 CRT (no letterboxing!), with 1080i component jacks in the back - no ATSC tuner, or S-Video jacks, just composite and component. The controls on the front are all capacitive touch, and the picture is splendid. The set is BIG - wide (42") and deep (about 32"). It is probably a commercial set no upfront inputs like you would expect for the home market. But Sweet...

Cheers,

We have a Sony 34" 16:9 wide flat CRT 1080 set, and it's great! The only weak spot is the deflection board, which is known to fail in those sets. Other than that, it's probably the best bet. I also have the first one; an RCA 34" wide convex 16:9 tube set from '94. It's very primitive HD, and has a lousy picture in my opinion. No personal experience on the Phillips or Samsung, but between the two, I'd go Samsung, hands down.

*** Be sure your local football team is available to come help you carry the set

Charles

Stay away from the Phillips televisions. They are very troublesome. The Sony deflection board generally needs the two pulse width modulators replaced and the new ones are improved reliability. I have the Sony and find the picture outstanding!

I have the Sony 34XBR960 coming to me when I can get some time to drive to Maryland to get it. $400. Probably the same as Charles' set. I bought it from a retired (bought out) Sony rep. All 200 pounds of it. Pix is of the actual set.

This set is the only one where Sony used their Super Fine Pitch CRT. And it has clear-QAM tuning and can use a cable card. Are they still available?

It will rest on a 1959 RCA Orthophonic Hi-Fi set. Just about sturdy enough.

Cable cards are still available.

I also have the first one; an RCA 34" wide convex 16:9 tube set from '94.
If I had the room, I'd like to find an RCA F38310 in good condition. It had a 38" CRT, and a built-in ATSC tuner. I remember they had a pretty nice looking picture, at least for early HDTV.

Yes, the 38310 is a wonder. Even has built-in DirecTV. And the picture (well, on mine, at least) still holds up qualitywise. Don't try to pick it up with anything less than a forklift, though.

Yep, change those two IC's on the power supply board. It'll work again!
Great picture!

I have a KV-36XBR450. The non widescreen version. Yes lemmie tell u about heavy! Wow like a ton of lead! Darn near as heavy as a chevy 350 V8 in my opinion!!!

I have a KV-36XBR450. The non widescreen version. Yes lemmie tell u about heavy! Wow like a ton of lead! Darn near as heavy as a chevy 350 V8 in my opinion!!!

Those are misrable to move, since they're too big to reach around and take hold of, even if you can lift that much. Have you ever lifted a KV-40XBR800??? You don't know 'HEAVY' until you feel one of those 40" flat tubes :yes: . I can easily dead lift 350+ pounds, and my record is 410 pounds. I can pick up and literally run across the room with a Zenith roundie console, but I can't budge those big WEGA Sonys.

Charles

The pawn shop near my shop has a working 40" Sony. They are willing to sell it for a song but their problem is moving it.
The red gun is a bit sleepy. Think RACS would rebuild it? :) Think about SHIPPING!!!:scratch2:
Would love to see it dropped from a high bridge.....

The pawn shop near my shop has a working 40" Sony. They are willing to sell it for a song but their problem is moving it.
The red gun is a bit sleepy. Think RACS would rebuild it? :) Think about SHIPPING!!!:scratch2:
Would love to see it dropped from a high bridge.....

That damthaing dropped from a high bridge would make the Russkies' Tsar Bomba look like a firecracker...(grin)

If I had the room, I'd like to find an RCA F38310 in good condition. It had a 38" CRT, and a built-in ATSC tuner. I remember they had a pretty nice looking picture, at least for early HDTV.

I think that's what my ex-GF has.... It's a bigger tube than the one in my '94 console, and it has a DirecTV card slot. Someone gave it to her a year or so ago. Nice set! I'll find out what the model is, as I have to go up there tomorrow (my old place) to fix a leaky pipe in the driveway.

Charles

Yes, that's probably the F38310. It has essentially a built-in RCA DTC-100 digital tuner, their combination ATSC/NTSC and DirecTV set-top receiver.