Which Sony CRT?

[antdad]

After 15 years my trinitron is finally giving up the ghost so I'm looking for a used replacement Sony CRT on the auction sites. It seems there are some fine sets to be had for little as people are upgrading.

What particular models can you recommend that should be looking out for?

Thanks in advance

[JoseD]

I'd say the HQ100, it uses the SuperFinePitch tube that was used on HD models on US and Australia. But Sony ditched the HD component input, how braindead is that ?!
Black level and contrast are not on Par with latest Panasonic or Toshibas though, I've seen an HQ100 last week...

[DRGL]

How much are HQ100's selling for? I paid £1400 for mine, picture still looks great, black levels not the best? Must be setup wrong!

[geese]

Most definitely the HQ100.....Had the Panny PD50 too but I find the pq better on the Sony. Contrast and black level the best I have seen on a CRT. HUge huge dynamic range if setup right.....that super fine pitch tube is really awesome, with incredible detail and stability to the picture. They are hard to come by though.

[JoseD]

"that super fine pitch tube is really awesome, with incredible detail and stability to the picture"

Another thing to remember is that the picture processing on the HD100 is not without it's faults. There's been a few unhappy users about it, specially considering the original price of the set.
The detail is good, probably the best, but the SuperFinePitch tube is really wasted without HD inputs.

The black level on the PD50 and lattest Toshs is higher due to the black tinted glass. If you look at the tube turned off with some light in the room you'll notice the screen is not as black as some of Sony's older Super Trinitron tubes. Whites are better on the Sony though...

[DRGL]

Umm, black levels surely matter when watching the set in ideal conditions? ie, watching a film with no lights on(cinima style) & if the scene is black you will see nothing. I certainly never took it as how dark the screen is when looking at it with the set off in daylight. The complaintes were with regard to the picture processing causing artifacts, later sets like mine had a firmware change that allowed the user to switch between two 100hz processing options. Perfect? No, but nor are any flat screens.

[emrysdavies]

Go for the Sony Trinitron KV-32FX65 U if you can get it. Marvelous PQ, football included. You need Geoff. Capes to shift it around though. I hope mine keeps going as the modern tv's are still lacking when dealing with fast motion.

[DRGL]

I has a 36FX75U (i think!), got through THREE in a few months, it was so unreliable that Sony replaced it for the HQ100 FOC. IIRC that is the 36" version?

[Gedalia]

I have a Sony 32FQ86 and the picture quality is still fantastic. I want to upgrade to LCD to take advantage of HD but can't justify the cost when my 5 year old set works so well and gives such clear pictures.

[geese]

They had a firmware update? Cuz mine got two 100hz options too....thought it was standard. But still havent figured out what the second 100hz does....it speeds up the motion and havent used it because of that. Yeah a dumb move by Sony not to include component....the exact US model did and can show 1080i if im not wrong?

[DRGL]

Originally Posted by geese

They had a firmware update? Cuz mine got two 100hz options too....thought it was standard. But still havent figured out what the second 100hz does....it speeds up the motion and havent used it because of that. Yeah a dumb move by Sony not to include component....the exact US model did and can show 1080i if im not wrong?

Yep. Early versions had no options for 100Hz modes. I find myself wishing OLED along to even think of replacing this set!!

[JoseD]

Whenever I see this TV I keep thinking how some marketing dep. must have shut down what was to be the best HD CRT to hit Europe, probably the usuall marketing bull of predating other same brand's products and not giving a modern image. One of the best hidef tubes with only SD inputs just doesn't make sense

Regarding the firmware upgrade, the "new" 100Hz options were simply options that were present on earlier TV models, they never got the newer picture processing mode working properly, quick cheap fix to keep customers from complaining.