Create a scenario where CRTs make a comeback

[JoeNewberry]

Originally Posted by colorfixer

If anything, there would be a market for replacement CRTs. As certain items such as arcade video games get older, and more collectible, their intrinsic value would dictate having them work as they did in the 80's and hopefully with a CRT raster display. To put a LCD in these would be like gutting a 1948 Wurlitzer jukebox and installing an iPod. Some games using X-Y displays will only work with tubes.

The question here is how few can a company make and still remain viable?

Yep, that's definitely a niche community that desperately wants the CRT to make a comeback. There's a thread on this same subject going on now at the Arcade Controls forum:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/inde...topic=108048.0

One poster makes a good point that the bulk purchase markets like casinos, hospitals, schools, restaurants, etc., aren't so much interested in picture quality as they are in light, compact screens that are easy to install, move, and replace. LCD screens tend to beat out the CRT on all three counts.

I think the best chance for CRTs to continue here is some very dedicated person or group of people, with the money and know-how, to start a company to make and sell CRTs in small quantities to niche markets like arcade and vintage TV restorers. Sort of like the shops that fabricate phonograph or antique clock parts that are no longer available anymore. But on a larger scale, requiring a lot more complicated and expensive equipment.

[ChrisW6ATV]

Originally Posted by mwplefty

apparently from the perspective of my family, you can't like 1960's/1970's TV sets and still watch an LCD TV or you can't like 1960's/1970's manual typewriters and still use the laptop recreationally. They neglect to see that I'm one of those collectors that likes to look forward to the future of technology but simultaneously remember the past by owning both new and old pieces of technology.

I very much agree with your ideas, and not at all with your family's. It is nice to appreciate and preserve historic equipment, and even to make regular use of some of it, but I could never see it as an "all or nothing" choice.

My main display equipment is all LCD (front projector and flat panel) and Dolby Digital sound, but all my TV viewing is from real antennas, which I see as old-fashioned in itself. I also drive a 1970's aluminum-and-fiberglass GMC Motorhome, but it has radial tires and I installed a complete fuel-injection system as well.

[Trance88]

Originally Posted by bandersen

There's also this little guy from LG. http://retrorenovation.com/2010/01/2...a-only-so-far/
Only available in Korea, but I have seen some on ebay.

Heh, I gotta admit. Thats kinda neat looking.

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by andy

I guess there are two kinds of collectors, ones who just enjoy restoring and preserving vintage TVs, but have nothing against modern TVs, and those who really think things were better in the old days. I fall into the first category.

I am in the 2nd category!!!!

Stuff was MUCH BETTER MADE,better quality and all 30+ years ago......

[Electrohome]

Stuff was MUCH BETTER MADE,better quality and all 30+ years ago......[/QUOTE]

I very, very much agree with that 110% all the way
I have picked late 1970's and 1980's TVs out of the trash that still work like
new compared to a lot of today's China-made TVs from 2010.

[NowhereMan 1966]

Hmm for a sec there, I thought I stumbled on www.alternatehistory.com since questions like this one are asked there. A small hobby of mine is "alternate history" or playing "What-if." Well one quick note on EMP, from what I've studied, it isn't the kill-all it has been shown in TV and movies, your car will still have a 90% plus chance of starting anf running and most of the stuff should still work, especially if you fold the antenna down and it's not plugged in. The big threat is the power grid, that is the big threat to all with EMP. Unless you have a hand pump, a 12v pump or a generator, you will not be pumping any gas. Electronics, if you have batteries or a generator, you should be good to go until you run out. The EMP threat generally will not hurt your car or your transistor radio, the big thing is the chaos it would create until the power grid is restored.

Let's see, I am somewhat ignorant on what is needed to make LCD, LED and plasma TV's, but perhaps an embargo and/or war cuts off the raw materials to make these sets so the CRT has to return. I know this is kind of weak but it is the only thing I can think up on the fly.

Other possibilities is maybe if there is a demand for replacement CRT's or there is a retro movement like we are seeing with vinyl records and so on.

[Tom_Ryan]

Well, I was shopping around for a large screen TV today, hoping for some after New Year specials and came across this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Samsung-820TSN-2...-/290516906327

I like the 82" screen size but it's a bit too much coin for my liking. oh, there are 2 available. I guess a pair would be a bargain. Then it struck me, after looking over the specs .... this LCD screen weighs in over 300 lbs and consumes almost 1 KW of power. Not only is this thing is a giant electric heater it takes 2 strong body builders to move. Hmm ....large screen modern sets are relatively weighty compared to the days of the glass CRT. History seems to repeat itself. So, just how heavy do glass-metal CRTs get as the screen size increases? I would think most of the weight would be in the glass face plate. I suppose if some transparent aluminum, like used on Star Trek to build that giant whale tank, were used it might be possible to make it super light weight CRT!