Who Still Watches a CRT Television?

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We had a few, a teeny tiny portable that was not near adaptable for HD/Digital-cable type use, just basic cable & antenna (rabbit ears)... So that one had been gotten rid of after we'd left our apartment...

There was another that was larger, and eventually it stopped working... --I think it was another portable...

Then a large 24" diameter in the living room, that go replaced w/ our first flat screen, just to buy a few more--one that fell off the kitchen counter & I'm trying to prevent another TV from going there--too close to where I prepare food & cook!

-- Dave
 
I resisted for years the changeover from CRT to LCD. Michael had a 40" Panasonic CRT in 4:3 ratio when I moved in, that'd cost him $5000 in 2000. When his Mum's 1988 Panasonic CRT died in 2007 we bought a 42" Panasonic LCD, once I got used to it, I've never looked back.

The 40" CRT is still up at his mums and working, the only issue was that the Analog Tuner failed during the move, however since the End of analog broadcasting this has no longer been an issue.

in 2012 we bought one of the last made in Japan, 50" Pioneer based Panasonic Plasma TV's. The picture quality was exceptional then and still is now compared to other HD screens. Until there are more 4K video sources (Or Australia gets internet capable of streaming at 4K) it'll stick around as my favorite TV.
 
Both bedrooms still have CRT sets, but are seldom used. Both are 20" sets, basically the same except one is silver and branded Sylvania, the other is black and branded Emerson. I believe both are 2007 and 2008 models. They have flat glass on their tubes and have a pretty good picture. I bought the Sylvania right when CRT sets were going off the market but didn't want to pay the extra cost for an LCD which were still fairly expensive compared to CRT.

Up until a few years ago, we had a Sanyo 32" CRT in the living room about a 2002 model, something went wrong so it got replaced with an LCD, which got knocked over by accident in the middle of night and replaced with an LED.
I don like the how light and compact the flat panel screens are compared to the tube ones. That Sanyo was a monster to move!

I felt the Sanyo had a better picture than the replacement sets, and definitely better sound though.

I noticed Laundress mentioned the new sets have no input for VCRs, what kind of VCR is it? I have a Sony in the living room and it still connected right up to the newest LED set using the red and yellow plugs.

I do know my old Atari console won't connect to even the TVs in the bedrooms as it uses the old style two wire antenna connection. Has to use a converter of some kind.
 
Tuners

Personally don't like having all of these remotes to watch TV. Although ours are all programmed to work with the cable box remote. I suppose one could watch over the air TV using the TV's built in digital tuner, but I've never tried is since I don't have an antenna. Both the new LED and my older CRTs have digital tuners.

My Sony DVD/VCR doesn't have a tuner. I think when I recorded stuff on it, I had to plug the cable box into it. Haven't recorded anything since I first got it about 10 years ago.
 
I noticed Laundress mentioned the new sets have no input for VCRs, what kind of VCR is it? I have a Sony in the living room and it still connected right up to the newest LED set using the red and yellow plugs.

 

I've been looking at flat screen TVs on-line the last day or so (partly because of this thread), and it's not hard finding a TV with composite input. I'm assuming it should work fine with a VCR, although I suppose there would black bars on the TV screen (since video tape isn't widescreen). The only sneaky thing is that the composite seems to be integrated sometimes with component video inputs--use all three inputs for component, but use one of the three inputs (specially labeled) for composite.


 

Of course, a lot of people were used to using the RF connection (antenna). That said, line level (composite video/ line level audio) is probably better, since the signal doesn't have to be converted to RF and back again. Line level connections have always performed better in my tests. I do note that some TVs seem to claim analog support in their tuners, and so <span style="text-decoration: underline;">perhaps</span> those can support a VCR.

 

I note S-VHS connectors seem to be non-existent on modern TV sets, but I think all devices I've seen with S-VHS outputs also had composite video.

 

The big pain I see is that there appears to be only one set of line level analog connectors now on TVs. I have a VCR, a LaserDisc player (seldom used, though), and a DVD player. I suppose switching could be done elsewhere--home theater receivers usually have switching ability (at least the older units I've seen), but I A) don't have a home theater receiver, and B) I'm not sure I'm interested in having one.
 
Earlier, I was thinking about the talk about leaving out tuners, which some don't need or want. One thing I wouldn't mind losing off TV sets are the speakers and amplifiers to power them. TV sound was lousy on CRT sets (at least the newer ones I'm familiar with--things might been better on, say, a 60s console set), and has only gotten worse on flat screen sets. I always--<span style="text-decoration: underline;">always</span>--route sound through my audio system.
 
 
<blockquote>LordKenmore:  The only sneaky thing is that the composite seems to be integrated sometimes with component video inputs ...</blockquote> Interesting that component video inputs are available.  I recently read that DVD players now don't have component outputs, only HDMI for hi-def ... although 3rd-party converters supposedly can be found.  My plasma panel predates HDMI so I have concerns if/when I need to replace my player, which is already outdated and can no longer pick up YouTube and Pandora due to changes in network security protocols (NetFlix still works).  I don't want to replace my plasma until it dies.
 
Cannot recall where or exactly when noticed VCR connection

Or lack thereof. It was several years ago now at least because haven't looked at new televisions in some time.

Cannot recall exactly why at the moment, but the DVD player (Phillips) is routed through the VCR. That was the last new device added, and it was done a few years ago. The Phillips is an older model that plays DVDs from various zones. So can watch my British programming quite easily. Came in handy during the Downton Abbey craze as had DVDs sent from UK instead of dealing with the long drawn out (and delayed) PBS showing.
 
I had an old 1987 Blaupunkt color CRT TV which was working perfectly until 2012.Then it became useless because of the analog switch off.It didn't have any scart or rca input,so I couldn't connect any set-top box.

grwasher_expert-2017101207575809198_1.jpg
 
I still HAVE a 27" Sony from 1998 as my 'primary' TV. But it hasn't been turned on for over a year. Any 'TV' I watch is done on the computer monitor now. I use a Tablo box to record off air to watch through the network.

I need to haul that Sony off for recycling. Then I will be down to the last four remaining CRT's in the house (3 oscilloscopes and an older RF spectrum analyzer). I purged the house of all other CRT's years ago, good riddance.
 
I had a 35" Toshiba for years. The picture had a wonderful film-like quality. Unfortunately, moving it was a multi-person monumental pain. It was recycled in 2014 or 2015 and two 32" LG's entered the house. They will undoubtedly have shorter lifespans than the CRT, but the picture is quite good and motion blur isn't a big issue.

Being able to pick up and move a TV that weighs no more than a bag of groceries: Priceless.

I dodged cable around the same time and now do my watching on Hulu, YouTube, and Netflix via the little black Apple TV box. It's Siri-enabled so you can, for instance, say "Find Elvis Presley documentaries on YouTube" and a list pops up on the screen. If your request is open-ended, it will, naturally, try to find the item at iTunes first.
 
Now have an LG 49" UHD 4K flatscreen---no going back for me.My CRT HD rear projector just sits in the room-unused and unplugged.Just too big and heavy to move.See LOTS of CRT sets in the appliance dumpster at the dump site I go to.Don't know what their final fate will be.Most folks out my way no longer want CRT sets.Even yard sale shoppers don't want them.Many times if the set is at a yard sale--you see like $5 posted on it--then that is scratched off-FREE put on instead-even then the poor set just sits there.
 
I talked with someone I know who works at the Goodwill store I've mentioned above. She doesn't know exact policy in place these days, but did say she's under the impression they don't even try to sell any CRT sets that are donated. She thinks they automatically go to recycling.
 
Probably the TVs and other electronic scrap items go to the overseas electronic scrapyards in third world countries where the wiring is burned in open fires to get the copper,same with circuit boards-the parts on the boards are melted down and they try to recover what little gold is in the components-open fires and vats of acid.Then the CRTs are smashed with hammers to get the copper from the deflection yokes which on the newer sets are cemented onto the neck of the cRT-then the glass from the tubes is dumpted anywhere-even in creekbeds.In US recycling scrap plants they are truly recycled-but this is VERY expensive.
 
IMO other than the size and weight if I had a perfectly good CRT or rear projection set i'd keep it. I hear people say their new flat panel set has almost as good a picture as their old one. Why replace it then? I think people got obsessed with having a new "flat screen" and keeping up with everyone else that quality didn't matter as long as it was flat.

As for thrift stores see the same CRT ones at Habitat Restore all the time. New Hope also takes them. I never see any TVs at Goodwill or Salvation Army.

After the hurricane I saw several beside the road. Not sure if surges got them. Even saw a flat panel set lying on its face on the ground in front of a wooded lot down the street next to all the tree limbs.

I too saw a CRT at an estate sale a black RCA seemed to be 32" or so with the remote and free on it. Still sitting there at the end of the sale. Would need a crane to get it outside!
 
One huge problem with CRT televisions is getting rid of them

Many local areas no longer have sanitation pick-up, but require dropping off the set at a designated E-Waste collector.

As you can imagine not everyone is keen on lugging a heavy TV or whatever to a recycler, so you get illegal dumping.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-accepting-e-waste-drop-off-borough-article-1.2456144

We've been talking about CRT televisions, but don't forget about those old computer monitors.

https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2017/10/12/crts-challenge-public-private-sectors-alike/
 
We have one.

Not that we watch it, but it works perfectly. It had one repair years ago, I think the start circuit.
Vintage 1982 ish RCA 25 inch Colortrak oak swivel console.
It was my in laws.
I had a 1986 27 inch colortrak stereo table console. I gave it to my folks when we got a new cabinet it didn't fit in. My brother said the vertical hold went out on it and he trashed it. Nice of him to ask me first. Str~unzo.
 
My new flatscreen TV has a BETTER picture than my old RPTV.Someday will have the old TV hauled away.And my old RPTV cannot show 4K UHD movies.Another problem-newer DVD players no longer have component video outs like older ones did.So--the old RPTV just sits behind the new set.Remember when it was delivered almost 20 yrs ago-had to take down two doors to get it into the TV room.Oh yes-the CRT's in the old set are starting to get soft-had to crank up the brightness and contrast.
 
countryford...

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">What a collection! What a selection! I hope that's what heaven is like...or any other place I'm headed. Thanks for posting.</span>
 
50's type TV's have a liking for these-Watching older Sci-fi horror movies on these is kinda neat-and their all wood cabinets at least are attractive-unlike the plastic "clamshell" cabinets of 80's-thru the last of the CRT sets.NICE collection of the older classic TV's I used to work on RCA,GE transmitters that would send to those!The chrome & glass era!!!
 
I retired my Magnavox 25 inch color tube set from 1972 in 2007. I so miss that set, the color, the picture depth, the contrast and black level blows my 55 inch flat screen to Hell.

I was getting tired of having to pull it down every year for maintenance, and oh the joys of 6GH8. (Some here will know exactly what I'm talking about).

The other more serious issues is that it ate the video output tube on a regular basis, and the horizontal/damper tube prices were rising to astronomical levels.

Believe or not, this set came in as a repair when I was around 8 years old in 1977, the customer decided not to repair it, I fixed it, and it became mine.
 
I have 2, yes 2 monster CRT's I'd love to get rid of.  They are one of the largest CRTs ever made, 38" wide screen 1080 sets.  Got one originally in 2003, one of the first HD sets, $3K  had OTA HD tuner built in as well as a Directv HD receiver built in.  Great picture, first one died,  had a service contract on it from Sears and they gave me all my $$ to buy a new one.  Picked up the second cheap and used it for a parts donor.  Having an electronics background I got the original working easily, moved the 300lb plus unit to the basement rec room where it still sits.  I might turn it on once a year if that.  Both it and it's donor are taking up space and I have no need for either.

 

Been seriously considering moving on from the RCA's replacement, and 2007 50" Samsung plasma to a 4K model.  Not sure I want to spend the $$$ on OLED, might go with some version of LED, though not my favorite display type, if tamed they can look quite good.  I'm a big proponent of professional calibration of displays, but that can be costly, I paid $300 to get the Sammy calibrated early on.  Still has a great image, but want bigger and 4K.  I bought a meter and have calibration program and have gotten fairly good at it.  Odds are I would try my had with the new set and see if it meets my standards.
 
4k sets

If you want a cheap but great looking 4k hdr set look at the Hisense 55H8C and their bigger 65" version. They are dirt cheap, look great, and do HDR pretty well. TCL I think it is has a really nice P series bunch of sets with multi zone local dimming and HDR and is supposed to also look great.
You could get one cheap and watch it and decide how you like it and upgrade to your dream uber set later, if you don't like it you aren't out thousands of dollars.
My set also came with a 4 year warranty as soon as I registered it online and I paid 550 for it. It does go on sale regularly for less but not sure the newer 2017 version still has the great warranty, their other new sets now have a year I think and no clue what TCL offers. The big Chinese manufacturers are offering very advanced sets cheap now to break into the market here, and keep bringing out even better sets for a good deal.
the black levels on mine is great as long as your close to centered on the screen and it's very bright and sharp even playing upscaled 1080p video.
 

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