Is it still possible to buy a new CRT TV online?
After reading a lot about some people here using the old fashioned CRT style TV's to play NES games (because mainly LCD screens have varying degrees of lag as well as that wierd redrawing thing every several seconds), I'm interested in buying a CRT TV or (if they've now figured out how to eliminate the lag and redrawing) a GOOD LCD or LED TV--perhaps those new 120 or 240 Hz ones that recently came out do so?
If I do need to get a CRT TV, how do I get one easily and affordably that has all the pieces I'm looking for:
* It MUST be able to take S-video and composite--ideally there should be one of each input.
* Sharp cornered screen, not round corners, and should be a "semi flat" screen
* Picture should not be tilted (the last two CRT's I tried did this), but I think this can be worked around by having the TV positioned in just the right direction
But I don't think any of the major retailers even sell any CRT's anymore, and if you try to get one on Ebay, just the shipping alone is $40-$50 and if the TV is not what I'm looking for, shipping something like that back would be a nightmare.
So what's a classic gamer to do?
If I do need to get a CRT TV, how do I get one easily and affordably that has all the pieces I'm looking for:
* It MUST be able to take S-video and composite--ideally there should be one of each input.
* Sharp cornered screen, not round corners, and should be a "semi flat" screen
* Picture should not be tilted (the last two CRT's I tried did this), but I think this can be worked around by having the TV positioned in just the right direction
But I don't think any of the major retailers even sell any CRT's anymore, and if you try to get one on Ebay, just the shipping alone is $40-$50 and if the TV is not what I'm looking for, shipping something like that back would be a nightmare.
So what's a classic gamer to do?
Comments
I know there are some of the newer T.V.'s that do not lag or have issues with older video game systems I just do not know what ones. i'm sure someone here can help you with that. I do still however prefer the big old Tube T.V. For Retro gaming.
Craigslist is probably the best suggestion, as a lot of people who upgraded just want to get rid of the older CRTs.
After reading a lot about some people here using the old fashioned CRT style TV's to play NES games (because mainly LCD screens have varying degrees of lag as well as that wierd redrawing thing every several seconds), I'm interested in buying a CRT TV or (if they've now figured out how to eliminate the lag and redrawing) a GOOD LCD or LED TV--perhaps those new 120 or 240 Hz ones that recently came out do so?
If I do need to get a CRT TV, how do I get one easily and affordably that has all the pieces I'm looking for:
* It MUST be able to take S-video and composite--ideally there should be one of each input.
* Sharp cornered screen, not round corners, and should be a "semi flat" screen
* Picture should not be tilted (the last two CRT's I tried did this), but I think this can be worked around by having the TV positioned in just the right direction
But I don't think any of the major retailers even sell any CRT's anymore, and if you try to get one on Ebay, just the shipping alone is $40-$50 and if the TV is not what I'm looking for, shipping something like that back would be a nightmare.
So what's a classic gamer to do?
I have an HD CRT TV (yes, such a thing does exist). It has seizure protection however, so something like ROB or light gun games don't work.
Added in edit: The best place to try would be Goodwill and Thirft stores, I see them there all the time.
or (if they've now figured out how to eliminate the lag and redrawing) a GOOD LCD or LED TV--perhaps those new 120 or 240 Hz ones that recently came out do so?
BTW, a 120hz or a 240hz tv will not reduce the lag. The lag is inherent to the tv converting the analog signal into a digital signal. 120hz means the tv will produce 120 frames per second. So if you have a 30hz source (most broadcast tv) every frame will be displayed 4 times. If you have 24hz (most films including most blu ray content) every frame will be produced 5 times. This is better than 60hz ONLY because a 24hz signal must do something called 3:2 pulldown where you get 10 frames twice each and then 2 frames 3 times, then another 10 at 2 and 2 at 3. This weird pattern plays a trick on our eyes and we see a SUBTLE judder.
Don't let a Best Buy sales man fool you! Unless you watch blu rays a lot 120hz or 240hz will do very little for you.
And NO, the new LCD haven't eliminated lag, although they are getting better as their processors get better.
EDIT - I forgot that there is another reason for 120hz which is Frame Interpolation. Some 120hz/240hz sets have this setting which give a fake frame inbetween frames. Most videophiles discount this as a reason to purchase a high refresh rate tv as it isn't true to the source and can make film look like a soap opera.
they ranged from 10-40 bucks. Most of them were from buying out local goodwills.
we might need them for next year Vince
Vince, don't forget to charge Robin storage for a year then.
Don't let a Best Buy sales man fool you! Unless you watch blu rays a lot 120hz or 240hz will do very little for you.
Oh I am well aware of that. Our current TV is a 32" Sharp Aquos HDTV that we got on QVC which they called a "gaming TV" but I know full well they mean with modern consoles in mind.
It does have a "Game Mode" which helps some, but not as much as I would like.
I used to have several years ago a VERY nice Panasonic 20" CRT with composite (I didn't know back then SNES/N64 could take S-video) but it got ruined in a lighting storm.
And I wish I could "just come pick one up" from several of the guys here that responded as such, but we have no vehicle and no way to get there.
I found my first one in a bush.
This made me laugh.
After reading a lot about some people here using the old fashioned CRT style TV's to play NES games (because mainly LCD screens have varying degrees of lag as well as that wierd redrawing thing every several seconds), I'm interested in buying a CRT TV or (if they've now figured out how to eliminate the lag and redrawing) a GOOD LCD or LED TV--perhaps those new 120 or 240 Hz ones that recently came out do so?
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I have a new Sony 52-inch with LED backlighting and 120Hz. It was 1/2 price, or I wouldn't have bought it, as I don't have to have "the latest" to have fun.
I don't have any of the new consoles (yet). I didn't plan on using it for gaming (yet) either. I have a 35" Trinitron (200lb) I use for my classic gaming.
I was not aware of the lag until the other day, I tried an old console (actually a computer, Atari 8-bit). I was playing Donkey Kong and I know this version (my favorite since 1983) quite well. I DID EXPERIENCE A LITTLE LAG!! I thought I was having a perceptual problem in my head, until I just read your message!!!
This is, of course, hooked through composite input. I wonder if the lag is due to the conversion of the old analog composite? I mean, surely people who play 360/PS3 through HDMI cables don't have this lag?
I didn't do research, just an impulse buy on price. I don't have consoles set up, as I just wanted this for HD broadcast and occasional blu-ray movie.
It's also annoying that they don't have S-video inputs anymore. I guess it's a dead standard.
Thankfully, I'm stockpiling CRTs. How else am I going to play NES Zapper games, anyway?
So it's only the HDTV's, NOT the LCD TV's that do the lag. Cuz apparently even CRT based HDTV's will still have lag.
Well, I think I found something that'll tide me over; our old widescreen LCD TV (but it's NOT a HDTV). It's quite small compared to our Sharp Aquos but I don't see any lag or that wierd redrawing thing at all on the smaller (Magnavox) set.
So it's only the HDTV's, NOT the LCD TV's that do the lag. Cuz apparently even CRT based HDTV's will still have lag.
You still wont be able to use the light gun on a normal (non HD) LCD TV would you?