CRT v LCD/Plasma for SD viewing: Surely CRT is better?

[Paul Cooksley]

Hi all

Well, I keep toying with the idea of updating my Sony KV32CS70 32" CRT widescreen wega television for a larger, 37" plasma. I've had this Sony since November 2004 (so only just over 3 and a half years actually) and it cost me a whopping £900 back then! Ouch!!! I think this was one of the last 32" CRT's that Sony ever made actually....

Anyway, as I was saying, I keep thinking I would like a larger screen. So, i've looked at flat panels - LCD and Plasma in order to replace it.

I've discounted LCD straight away - SD looks awful - and sorry to anyone that wants to defend SD on LCD - but it does! Plasma to me, seems more "CRT" like - so I was looking at getting the new Panasonic PX80 37" Plasma.

Now, I've looked at loads of these particular plasma's set up in various shops (and played around with the settings etc) and try as I might, although "from a distance" the freeview SD picture is "reasonable" - to me, it is a step backwards in quality. Does anyone else feel like this?

Obviously, I am not talking about HD material here - just purely SD - and mainly freeview at that - but - looking at my Sony CRT I cannot get over how great the picture looks compared to even a decent plasma! It's made me really feel that until I have to (when the set dies or HD becomes far more mainstream) that I will not now replace it.

I really do want a larger screen and I am itching to get a plasma - but - my mind is telling me that SD freeview is going to look poorer - ie more pixellated and "soft" - than my present CRT. Hence why I have now made the decision to stick with my CRT.

I thought I would post this here in the CRT section as I have a sneaky feeling I would get hung drawn and quartered if I put this sort of thing in the Plasma/LCD sections!!!!!!!!

Anyone else feel the same?

[Jonstone]

Originally Posted by Paul Cooksley

Hi all

Well, I keep toying with the idea of updating my Sony KV32CS70 32" CRT widescreen wega television for a larger, 37" plasma. I've had this Sony since November 2004 (so only just over 3 and a half years actually) and it cost me a whopping £900 back then! Ouch!!! I think this was one of the last 32" CRT's that Sony ever made actually....

Anyway, as I was saying, I keep thinking I would like a larger screen. So, i've looked at flat panels - LCD and Plasma in order to replace it.

I've discounted LCD straight away - SD looks awful - and sorry to anyone that wants to defend SD on LCD - but it does! Plasma to me, seems more "CRT" like - so I was looking at getting the new Panasonic PX80 37" Plasma.

Now, I've looked at loads of these particular plasma's set up in various shops (and played around with the settings etc) and try as I might, although "from a distance" the freeview SD picture is "reasonable" - to me, it is a step backwards in quality. Does anyone else feel like this?

Obviously, I am not talking about HD material here - just purely SD - and mainly freeview at that - but - looking at my Sony CRT I cannot get over how great the picture looks compared to even a decent plasma! It's made me really feel that until I have to (when the set dies or HD becomes far more mainstream) that I will not now replace it.

I really do want a larger screen and I am itching to get a plasma - but - my mind is telling me that SD freeview is going to look poorer - ie more pixellated and "soft" - than my present CRT. Hence why I have now made the decision to stick with my CRT.

I thought I would post this here in the CRT section as I have a sneaky feeling I would get hung drawn and quartered if I put this sort of thing in the Plasma/LCD sections!!!!!!!!

Anyone else feel the same?

Personally I think the picture on my 37" sd plasma is much better than my old crt but I do understand why some people would think otherwise. They both have their plusses and minuses and which you prefer is largely based on what aspect of picture quality is more important to you.

The question of size does also have to be addressed, a 37" lcd/plasma is considerably bigger than a 32" crt, if you could get a crt with a true 37" diagonal I am sure a lot of the picture problems you see with the flat screen tv's would be evident on the crt especially with the poor sd channels.

A lot also comes down to whichever tv you are accustomed to watching.

The answer though is they are all flawed in some way its just a case of which flaws bother you the most

[Paul Cooksley]

Originally Posted by Jonstone

Personally I think the picture on my 37" sd plasma is much better than my old crt but I do understand why some people would think otherwise. They both have their plusses and minuses and which you prefer is largely based on what aspect of picture quality is more important to you.

The question of size does also have to be addressed, a 37" lcd/plasma is considerably bigger than a 32" crt, if you could get a crt with a true 37" diagonal I am sure a lot of the picture problems you see with the flat screen tv's would be evident on the crt especially with the poor sd channels.

A lot also comes down to whichever tv you are accustomed to watching.

The answer though is they are all flawed in some way its just a case of which flaws bother you the most

It's nice to get an answer, like yours, from someone that owns a plasma and can still be objective about the plusses and minuses, without resorting to "of course Plasma is tonnes better than CRT" !!!

You are spot on of course, regarding various flaws. CRT's, especially widescreen ones, don't usually have perfect geometery of course - I know my doesn't at the sides of the screen - it's a tad slanting for example at the very extreme of the left side (but only fraction!). It's only noticeable on very straight lines, otherwise you don't see it - so not a problem to me.

I know as well, that of course, HD ready screens will show up the imperfections of SD (expecially freeview and lower bitrate channels as well) because of the way the picture is displayed.... I guess CRT screens just "cover" these 'imperfections' a little better, making the picture seem better sometimes?

[KyoDash]

My 29" Sony CRT shows up more imperfections than my 21" Sony set, so size is a part of the issue. The other is the fact that all flat panels have to deinterlace 480i braodcasts which creates lots of artefacts which weren't there to begin with.

A 29" 4:3 CRT 240p/480i native will always look better than a 37" panel displaying 480i.

I know as well, that of course, HD ready screens will show up the imperfections of SD (expecially freeview and lower bitrate channels as well) because of the way the picture is displayed.... I guess CRT screens just "cover" these 'imperfections' a little better, making the picture seem better sometimes?

They cover some, like lower bitrate stuff, but also have no processing induced ones either, which is why on a good CRT 480i can look better than 480p on a LCD or Plasma. Upscalng on panels also enlarges out the pixels so any imperfections present in the original source become more noticeable, though more so than just going up a few CRT screen sizes. Case in point a 26" LCD has a worse 480p picture than a 28" CRT doing 480i.

[simon11]

My son has just bought a 42" lcd but hasn't got hd yet. I went to look at it thinking that I would probably have to dash out and buy one. But after seeing the performance on normal sky pictures I won't bother. When you see them in the shops running video off a blue ray dvd they are superb but put a normal picture through and it is a disgrace. He says the picture looks allright if you sit in the hall.
My 32" crt can be viewed from a few feet and looks fabulous compared to this. I also have a 26" Sharp Aquos in the bedroom and at a few feet it looks terrible. 9ft away it looks good.
I will stick to my crt until it breaks down. Until HD is transmitted free and is standard it is not worth getting an lcd or plasma. They just don't work with normal television transmissions unless you buy a small screen or sit at the other end of the room.

[juLZ007]

basically, the moral of the story is... dont go for lcd because its the biggest waste of money, overrated POS technology out there

WHY anyone would chose to 'upgrade' their crt for an lcd is beyond me.. especially considering the plasma is a VASTLY superior technology to it right now (although even then i advise my customers to stick with their crts for a little while longer if watching sd was the only factor)

i just feel sorry for all the people who come to me asking me to sell them an lcd... all i do is flick on the panny px80s and compare it to the V or W sony series, and the X series to the pioneer 42"............ they make up their own minds

LCD POS!

[badbob]

LCD are not "POS" they're just suitable if your uses are different.

[juLZ007]

let me know if you think of any uses (or benefits over plasma) other than using them as computer screens (which they should have stayed as)

[badbob]

Gaming, and channels with bright dogs/bars. ie News 24. Seen screenburn on a Pioneer plasma where the white News 24 bottom bar is, and still there now after a few months.

[bonzobanana]

My mum got a Sony 28" widescreen CRT of ebay. I collected it for her. Quite a posh house and in the living room they had a new samsung LCD. The picture was rubbish, the sound was tinny but it looked fantastic as a piece of furniture which I think was the important thing for them. My mother now has a sony tv which was dirt cheap and gives a terrific picture and fantastic sound thanks to a built in subwoofer. I watched the extended version of fellowship of the ring yesterday on it. Her dvd player is something I gave her which cost me nothing as it was free for renting dvds for 3 months which I was doing anyway. The picture was stunning. She loves the set and its super stylish even though very bulky.

[aekostas]

Originally Posted by juLZ007

let me know if you think of any uses (or benefits over plasma) other than using them as computer screens (which they should have stayed as)

Size under 37" and price to match.

Edit: Sorry, I forgot to say: and power consumption.

[Sonic67]

Originally Posted by juLZ007

basically, the moral of the story is... dont go for lcd because its the biggest waste of money, overrated POS technology out there

I'm reminded of someone on these forums who vigourously defended plasma over LCD so I looked back at his post history. His previous post was in the plasma forums detailing all the problems he was having with his set and could anyone help?

LCD is far more reliable and has no problems. It's also easily dominant and the most flexible. If you want plasma you have a limited range. If you want LCD you can choose from every size, price point, quality, style and option.

My LCD is connected to a Shuttle PC, PS3, and cable box. I'm happy that my LCD can handle anything going with no worries. Plasma is ok if you are only ever going to use the screen as a TV only. These days I think that's limited thinking.

Sony don't bother with plasma and other manufacturers are steadily abandoning it. The investment is all going into LCD development.

[Sonic67]

Originally Posted by aekostas

Size under 37" and price to match.

Edit: Sorry, I forgot to say: and power consumption.

LCD can also be thinner and lighter too. I also think they handle bright natural colours better. Plasmas tend to have a thick dark glass on the screen.

[Uridium]

I recently replaced my 28" Philips PW6518 (a pretty well rated CRT) with a TH42PX80 Plasma and am happy to say the 42" Plasma SD picture quality via Sky+ RGB feed blows the CRT out of the water.

Yes if you are going to use your TV for majority HD or PC/console source then an LCD may be a better choice but if your primary source is going to be SD then a quality plasma will take a lot of beating

The 37" and 42" PX80's are fine TV's I'm 99% sure that you wouldn't be dissapointed compared to your CRT

If you have the space then take a look at the 42" PX80, many people by a 37" and regret not going for the 42" as you soon get used to the size. it can be picked up for sub £700 with a 5yr warranty via JL price matching sound & vision.

[Paul Cooksley]

Originally Posted by Uridium

I recently replaced my 28" Philips PW6518 (a pretty well rated CRT) with a TH42PX80 Plasma and am happy to say the 42" Plasma SD picture quality via Sky+ RGB feed blows the CRT out of the water.

Yes if you are going to use your TV for majority HD or PC/console source then an LCD may be a better choice but if your primary source is going to be SD then a quality plasma will take a lot of beating

The 37" and 42" PX80's are fine TV's I'm 99% sure that you wouldn't be dissapointed compared to your CRT

If you have the space then take a look at the 42" PX80, many people by a 37" and regret not going for the 42" as you soon get used to the size. it can be picked up for sub £700 with a 5yr warranty via JL price matching sound & vision.

I must confess, the very set you mention from Panasonic was one I was looking at, when I was toying with the idea of replacing my CRT (nothing wrong with my CRT - just wanted a bigger screen that's all!)

So, I do agree with you that SD images (freeview in particular) looked very good on this model - certainly far, far superior than any LCD screen I have seen.

Does anyone know why Sony abandoned Plasma sets at all? I know LCD enthusiasts will say that's because LCD is the way forward and Plasma isn't - but I certainly, personally don't beleive this - most people I know who have taken the plunge and got a flatscreen - have indeed all gone for Plasma.

Even a Pansonic shop, the guy in there told me that ALL the staff he knew went for Plasma over LCD.