Zenith discontinued CRT TVs

Hi,
this was started in another thread, but in case anyone cares:
On Sept 20 2007, I was browsing the Zenith web pages looking at their 16:9 HDTV CRT televisions. There were various 4:3 CRT models, and four 16:9 models.

On Sept 21 the CRT models are no longer listed as available on their web site.

It is still possible to see the discontinued models. Click on Product List, scroll down to Direct View Digital, and click on other models (all these other models are discontinued).

I was interested in looking at these Zenith HDTV sets, regardless of who was making them, as I am looking for one of the last 16:9 tube sets. One thing that caught my eye regarding these sets is that they convert all incoming video formats to 1080i, rather than displaying the video in the incoming format. Here is Zenith's impressive technical argument for this approach:

Zenith HDTV receivers are also "All Format Up Converters." They convert all DTV signals, regardless of the format in which they are broadcast, to the 1080i display format. This is a good thing and raises the signal ante. If a signal comes into the set at 1080i, that's what is displayed on the screen. But if a signal comes in at one of the other levels - like 480i, an SDTV format, or even HDTV at720p - the picture on the Zenith HDTV is still displayed at 1080i. That's because Zenith's HDTV Entertainment Machines™ grab the incoming signal, no matter what its format, and boost it up to the highest level.

In spite of this I will still keep an eye open for one of these last tube sets.

[redcoates7]

Zenith's explanation is only lacking the "magic picture gnome" technology to be truly insulting....

"Boost it to its highest level..." sheesh.

[andy]

...

[Yamaha B-2]

Bought my 27" Zenith TV new in 1989. Moved it seven times and it still never misses a beat.

[Sandy G]

Sic transit Gloria...

[Yamaha B-2]

I don't believe it is Catholic.

Originally Posted by andy

For a CRT set, you can't beat a Sony. There are still some out there for very low prices. If you want a Zenith, you might look for an LG which should be the same set.

I've actually been shopping online for the remaining CRT 16:9 sets. I would have been shopping for them months ago but was distracted by life events...

I liked the concept of the SONY KD34XBR960, with the super fine pitch tube. Many online reviews claim this set gave the finest HDTV picture they have seen. But so many people reported quality defects. I think this set disappeared around 2005. [Note - I'm not a SONY fan, last bought SONY in about 1990]

Then came the KD34XBR970, having a fine-pitch (not super fine) tube. I've never looked at either this or the '960, but reviewers say this set had good quality but picture quality a bit below the '960. I think this '970 was available until spring/summer 2007.

Though the selection now is probably slim/none, I'm going to make the rounds and try to find a CRT 16:9 set.

Does anyone know of any retailers with a presence in Pennsylvania that might still have some inventory?

[ChrisW6ATV]

As Andy said, most CRT HD displays scale all input signals to one resolution, usually 1080i, though ironically one thing CRTs can potentially do better than digital displays is to show incoming signals at their native resolution. (Most computer CRT monitors from the last 10 years or so could do this; I have one that can display at least from 480p to 1080p and higher.)

Despite all this, I am glad to be done with CRTs for regular viewing. The 60 Hz flicker is quite bad, but it is one of those things like second-hand cigarette smoke, that I didn't realize how bad it was until I lived without it for a while. Now, I could never live with it again except for brief periods.

[VinylHanger]

My only real complaint with crt's going away, is that I tend to expect 10-15 years out of my TV's at the least. I'm not hearing much about longevity with the new sets, just how the technology is getting better.

[andy]

...

[Duane]

Originally Posted by cpu_

I've actually been shopping online for the remaining CRT 16:9 sets. I would have been shopping for them months ago but was distracted by life events...

I liked the concept of the SONY KD34XBR960, with the super fine pitch tube. Many online reviews claim this set gave the finest HDTV picture they have seen. But so many people reported quality defects. I think this set disappeared around 2005. [Note - I'm not a SONY fan, last bought SONY in about 1990]

Then came the KD34XBR970, having a fine-pitch (not super fine) tube. I've never looked at either this or the '960, but reviewers say this set had good quality but picture quality a bit below the '960. I think this '970 was available until spring/summer 2007.

Though the selection now is probably slim/none, I'm going to make the rounds and try to find a CRT 16:9 set.

Does anyone know of any retailers with a presence in Pennsylvania that might still have some inventory?

One of the the features that I liked about the XBR960 is the ability to adjust the picture controls on each input. Up until this series, everything was global. If you made adjustments on any input, every other input had the same.

My sister and brother -in-law have the XBR910. It has a very good picture. Never a problem in almost 4 years.

Originally Posted by ChrisW6ATV

Despite all this, I am glad to be done with CRTs for regular viewing. The 60 Hz flicker is quite bad, but it is one of those things like second-hand cigarette smoke, that I didn't realize how bad it was until I lived without it for a while. Now, I could never live with it again except for brief periods.

I have a Samsung 19" LCD monitor that I pulled from the trash heap and have working well now. However, after a few minutes of looking at it, my eyes became very tired. I tried various refresh rates, and various video resolutions, but it was not easy on the eyes. I believe this model was one of their better more expensive models a few years back. If this is an indication of what to expect from LCD TVs, I'd rather stay with a CRT.

My work has required me to look at monitors all day every day for over 10 years. I've used CRTs 85% of the time with zero fatigue.

I think I'll call around and see if any of the local shops have any unsold 16:9 tubes sets.

[ChrisW6ATV]

LCDs have improved continuously, so you may have better luck when you get a new one made for TV viewing at some point. There is no need to change refresh rates with LCDs; all computer ones in the USA refresh at 60 Hz regardless of what rates they accept. Also, there will be only one resolution that is good on an LCD, the "native resolution". On a 19", it is most likely 1280x1024 unless it is a widescreen model. The native resolution will be obvious because it will be far sharper and clearer than at any other one.