I’d like to show off a new addition to my retro video game collection. It’s not a game or a console but it is essential and it makes for a great addition.
This 32″ monster is beautiful to look and a nightmare to move. I had no idea what I was getting into when I decided that this was a good idea.
So, how do you get help to move a 175lbs TV? It helps a lot if you have a friend who is already indebted to you. After recently helping a close friend move his 120 gallon fish tank I knew I had the right dude for the job. There were a few close calls along the way but in the end it all worked out.
Say ‘hello’ to my Sony FD Trinitron WEGA KV-32XBR200 CRT TV. Even though you can get true HD from the last generation of CRT TV’s this Sony is not. It offers a resolution of 480i and an aspect ratio of 4:3 and the screen is perfectly flat.
Thunder Force III Title Screen
Thunder Force III Boss
I do wish is was easier to get SCART in North America for the best possible CRT picture but I’ll have to settle for S-Video; even though I’m only use Composite at the moment. But even with Composite I was really surprised by the improvement from my previous Zenith CRT. With the Sony the edges of the image were no longer off screen and it did look sharper and clearer. And I was surprised by how much better it sounded too. I was so caught up in video quality that it didn’t dawn on me that I might be getting and audio upgrade too. The best part is the size. This TV really is a lot larger than my Zenith 26″. It makes a big difference.
Phantasy Star II Battle
Streets of Rage 2 Kick’in Butt
For $50 from Craigslist (classifieds) I’m really enjoy it! …and so far my IKEA TV stand is holding up!
Retro Megabit 
Nice! I have an ancient RCA in the living room and a smaller Magnovox tube (from 2002) in the home office> there’s also an HDTV here for modern stuff, but that bigger TV needs to be replaced at some point because the screen is starting to die and it’s only a matter of time before it’s gone for good.
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Yes, as amazing as CRT TVs lifespan are they can actually die. I’m hoping to get 10 or more years of of my Sony CRT.
I once considered buying an upscaler to hook-up my retro consoles into a modern TV but the one that seems to be the best is about $400. And in the world of upscaling I’ve read that $400 is considered very affordable. To me that feels pretty expensive!
But I might get one someday. It depends on how good the Retron 5 is at both upscaling and gaming. It might be a better solution.
XRGB mini Upscaler
http://junkerhq.net/xrgb/index.php/XRGB-mini_FRAMEMEISTER
Retron 5
http://www.retron5.com/
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Congrats man! CRT TVs are essential for retro gaming unless you have an expensive converter box for new TVs.
It’s really something else that TV of yours, it looks very crisp even on picture! And that flat screen looks gorgeous.
Lucky you had an indepted friend! 😀
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Yup! I’m sure my friend never thought he’d ever have to carry a CRT TV again 🙂 Life is full of surprises!
I think I would like one of those expensive upscalers someday. I might wait until I can get one used if I can.
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An upscaler would be nice in the future indeed! I’ll wait until I buy one, at least until this CRT is dead 😀
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If you ever see a super deal for a XRGB mini Upscaler let me know! 🙂 Or if buying two gets us a discount we should team up! But I’m like you. I’m not in a hurry for this… but I really do want one 🙂
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These CRTs are a b**** to move, but I find the picture better than modern LCDs for some reason. Well, the LCDs that I can afford atleast LOL.
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I’ve heard a lot of people saying they like the image of a CRT TV. And I’ve read that CRT technology is capable of true HD resolutions. It seems like it was the weight that did them in.
For my old retro video games I’m loving this TV. And yes it was really hard to move!
Are you still using a CRT TV Perry? You into any retro video game systems.
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Hey-yo SegaDude.
I owned a retro Dreamcast and have seen retro Snes and Genesis at Books A Million in Waterford, CT.
Would love to get a NeoGeo or Saturn, buts Gens/Snes Rocks!
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Hi perrytanko2013!
I have a Saturn but I haven’t really spent much time with it. I should give it more attention 🙂 A lot of people seem to really like it. I still like my Dreamcast for games like Grandia, Skies of Arkadia and Phantasy Star Online. But I still prefer the Genesis and SNES.
Not too long ago I got myself a Neo Geo Arcade cabinet and wow I love it.
I’d like to recommend it but it’s soooo expensive compared to other home retro consoles.
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I’m about to get a 20″ CRT TV off Craigslist for $10 (plus $10 to have it driven out here) for the purposes of retro gaming. Older games just don’t look right on HD TVs.
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Very nice! For $20 all in you can’t go wrong. And I agree consoles built for CRT’s really do work best on a CRT.
I recently purchased custom made component cables by HD RetroVision for my Genesis and plugged it into 720p LCD TV. And games actually look amazing, better than on a CRT TV but… there is the smallest bit of input lag and it’s enough to make playing many games problematic.
It really does feel like the CRT route is the best and cheapest way to play retro games.
Enjoy that CRT! I think it was an excellent purchase!
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