How do you measure the size of a TV Sony KV29LS30U

Jimannie · 12-04-2009, 1:46 PM

Hi
Can anyone help by telling me how you measure the size of Cathode Ray Tube TV sets. The reason for asking is that I bought about 4 years ago a Sony KV29LS30U TV set which I was sold as being a 29 inch set. I have just bought a new LCD set and an selling my Sony in the local paper. When a man came to buy the tv he brought a measuring tape and measured the screen, much to my surprise it is only 27 inches from corner to corner. As the man already had a 26 inch set he decided not to by mine.

NST · 12-04-2009, 1:55 PM

Normally you measure the diagonal from corner-to-corner (not straight across the top). CRT sets have a separate viewable size which is normally about an inch off. So for instance a 28 inch TV will be around 27 inch viewable.
The instruction manual sometimes has the viewable size in the technical specifications.

Jimannie · 12-04-2009, 2:39 PM

Thanks, that was quick, I don't actually have the manual for the set as it was the last one Comet had in there store and as it was on display they could not find the correct book, do you know is there anywhere on the internet I may be able to view/download the correct manual.
As you mention I did measure diagonally, I have 27 inches viewable, which is a full 2 inches short.

fallenangle · 12-04-2009, 3:38 PM

4:3 CRTs always have a 1+" smaller view area diagonal than their quoted size but WS 16:9 CRT screen sizes can be even more disingenous. Both my JVC and Sony WS CRTs were sold as 32" but their actual viewing area diagonal is only just over 30".

Matt_C · 12-04-2009, 3:55 PM

As above - my 36" (widescreen) Toshiba CRT only has 34" of viewable glass/picture - there is image lost behind the plastic surround/frame.

Which means the guy who came to view your TV is stupid as his 26" will only have 24" of viewable image anyway.....

Jimannie · 12-04-2009, 5:34 PM

Hi Mat C, yes you are spot on, that is exactly what happened about an hour ago. The guy had went home and measured his existing set, and discovered it was not actually as large as he thought. So he has just been back and bought the set. Many thanks all. Jim

PS. it will be interesting to see what size he advertises his old set as if he puts it into the local paper next week!

Matt_C · 12-04-2009, 7:38 PM

LOL, thats funny..... To be fair, sets should be advertised as per the spec size - if I was advertising my Tosh (36") I'd advertise at 36"...

Orbitalzone · 13-04-2009, 9:14 AM

This is why manufacturers (of CRT) would quote two sizes, an imperial inch size and then the metrtic size with a v in brackets to give the actual 'visible' size in centimetres and the two figures were never the same size! so a 21" was shown as 21" (v51cm)

The inch size was more of an overall size that was somewhat misleading.