any suggestions for 34" CRT HDTV?

Tower · 12-23-2005, 04:01 PM

I'm going to be buying a 34" CRT HDTV sometime after Xmas (hoping prices
will drop) and am looking for suggestions. Currently have a Panasonic 30"
older model that I've been happy with but it's not HD ready and it's not
flat screen. I've looked very hard at the new Panasonic's:
1. CT-34WX54
2. CT-34WX15
3. CT-34WX 53

Finally called Panasonic direct today and they are no longer selling any of
them directly. What the guy did say was the 53 is the oldest model of the 3
(even though their web site lists it as "new"), the 54 is newer than the 53,
and the 15 is the newest and best. Can anyone confirm that? I like the 54
in theory b/c it has the PiP with split screen but he says the 15 has a
better screen and picture.

Also stumbled on the Sony KV-34HS420 34" FD Trinitron WEGA HD-Ready CRT and
am interested in this one now, Sony has a great reputation and it's around
the same price.

Saw this set - Toshiba 34HF84 CRT HD Monitor at the local store (small town)
and it gets a great review for the picture here:
http://www.hometheatermag.com/crtdisplays/105toshiba/

I'm looking for input, suggestions, info on these or any other sets. I have
a cutout above fireplace so I don't need plasma or LCD. I have 41" of width
to play with. I'd like to stay around $1000 or less and I want 16:9 ratio.
Would like PiP if possible but not necessary. Anyone? Any website
suggestions for objective reviews?
Thanks,
Drew

RSawdey · 12-23-2005, 08:26 PM

I'd think there would be 37" LCD panels that would fit there... just checked, and even the 40" Samsung LCD would fit, with 3/4" on each side... that would be more than $1K though...

Emsurfer · 12-23-2005, 09:07 PM

The Panasonic CT-34WX15 is an excellent HD set. The Toshiba has a great PQ also but does not have PIP.

Tower · 12-23-2005, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSawdey

I'd think there would be 37" LCD panels that would fit there... just checked, and even the 40" Samsung LCD would fit, with 3/4" on each side... that would be more than $1K though...

Thanks but I don't want to pay extra for and LCD when I've got the room for a CRT. And from what I can tell the CRT is a better picture anyway.

Tower · 12-23-2005, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emsurfer

The Panasonic CT-34WX15 is an excellent HD set. The Toshiba has a great PQ also but does not have PIP.

The X15 doesn't have PIP either, unfortunately. The 54 does but not the 15, not sure why they dropped it as a feature.

scgalena · 12-23-2005, 10:48 PM

Tower,
I highly recommend the Sony KV-34HS420 34" FD Trinitron. I've had the Sony 36" 3 x 4 version of the 420 for some time and am still impressed by the superior PQ. As you've discovered, it's just about impossible to judge an HD CRT set's PQ in a store display. If you have the space and are happy with the limited screen size, HD CRTs are the way to go.

RSawdey · 12-23-2005, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tower

Thanks but I don't want to pay extra for and LCD when I've got the room for a CRT. And from what I can tell the CRT is a better picture anyway.

They don't make 40" widescreen CRTs... bigger is better...

grmz13 · 12-24-2005, 01:20 AM

Well, I have the Sony KD-34XS955, which is the model in between the HS420 and the XBR960. Unlike the HS420, it has the super fine pitch screen like the XBR, which yields a little more resolution, but not the PIP, which the XBR does have. They're a little over a grand though. Mine is like 200 bucks more than the HS420, just because of the super fine pitch. The HS420 is all silver and mine is like a graphite gray w/silver trim, which I like. I think the XBR is like a matte black w/silver trim. I agree about the pic quality though. With the exception of the new 1080ps coming out, CRT direct views have the best picture. I love my TV. I've had it for three months and it has some minor geometry issues (only noticeable with videogames or 4:3 bars)at the top corners, which are somewhat common with tubes, but I plan to get it ISF calibrated in about three more months, which will hopefully solve the minor issue. I have no experience with Panasonic, but I recommend the Sonys.

BrianO · 12-24-2005, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tower

The X15 doesn't have PIP either, unfortunately. The 54 does but not the 15, not sure why they dropped it as a feature.

They dropped PIP, among other things, to lower the price.

Emsurfer · 12-24-2005, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tower

The X15 doesn't have PIP either, unfortunately. The 54 does but not the 15, not sure why they dropped it as a feature.

Our CT-30WX15 is in my Parents' room. I didn't realize it didn't have PIP. Still a sweet TV though. I assumed it did I guess because my Panny PT43LC14 does.

I also agree with the recommendations to check out the SONY HS420 and if you don't mind the extra cost, the XS955

RSawdey · 12-24-2005, 10:13 AM

Doesn't that HS420 model also lack an ATSC tuner?

scgalena · 12-24-2005, 11:31 AM

Correct, the HS420 does not have an ATSC tuner.

NickH · 12-25-2005, 04:26 PM

I highly recommend the HS420 line, It doesn't have a tuner but who really uses that anyway? If your serious at all about hd you'll either have hd cable (locals usually included) or a dish which has the input for the ota antenna on the box. I have the 30HS420 and just got it isf calibrated last night and the picture is just amazing, Imho theres no comparison between crt and lcd but thats just me.

jjufon · 12-27-2005, 12:05 PM

if you want the best 34" CRT, there is only one. the Sony kd-34xbr960. this set is used as the standard to compare CRT HDTV. i've owned one, and it has a great wow factor. i traded it for the new KS-R50XBR1 SXRD and it's great, but can't quite compare in color and black levels as the 34".

JJ

ja2935 · 12-28-2005, 02:58 PM

Best value for money still has to be the Toshiba 34HF85 - around $900 at many places. An excellent picture AND the ability to stretch a 4:3HD picture (Theaterwide 1 stretch is the best there is!).

12-23-2005, 04:01 PM	#1
Tower A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 13	any suggestions for 34" CRT HDTV? I'm going to be buying a 34" CRT HDTV sometime after Xmas (hoping prices will drop) and am looking for suggestions. Currently have a Panasonic 30" older model that I've been happy with but it's not HD ready and it's not flat screen. I've looked very hard at the new Panasonic's: 1. CT-34WX54 2. CT-34WX15 3. CT-34WX 53 Finally called Panasonic direct today and they are no longer selling any of them directly. What the guy did say was the 53 is the oldest model of the 3 (even though their web site lists it as "new"), the 54 is newer than the 53, and the 15 is the newest and best. Can anyone confirm that? I like the 54 in theory b/c it has the PiP with split screen but he says the 15 has a better screen and picture. Also stumbled on the Sony KV-34HS420 34" FD Trinitron WEGA HD-Ready CRT and am interested in this one now, Sony has a great reputation and it's around the same price. Saw this set - Toshiba 34HF84 CRT HD Monitor at the local store (small town) and it gets a great review for the picture here: http://www.hometheatermag.com/crtdisplays/105toshiba/ I'm looking for input, suggestions, info on these or any other sets. I have a cutout above fireplace so I don't need plasma or LCD. I have 41" of width to play with. I'd like to stay around $1000 or less and I want 16:9 ratio. Would like PiP if possible but not necessary. Anyone? Any website suggestions for objective reviews? Thanks, Drew

12-23-2005, 09:07 PM	#3
Emsurfer High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 661	Great TV The Panasonic CT-34WX15 is an excellent HD set. The Toshiba has a great PQ also but does not have PIP.

12-28-2005, 02:58 PM	#15
ja2935 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,034	Best value for money still has to be the Toshiba 34HF85 - around $900 at many places. An excellent picture AND the ability to stretch a 4:3HD picture (Theaterwide 1 stretch is the best there is!). __________________ Toshiba 34HF84 Comcast Motorola DCT 3416 (all digital), Component/Fiber Optic Toshiba SD4900 (Region Free), Component/Digital Coax Toshiba HD-A2, HDMI/Fiber Optic Yamaha YHT-160 Home Theater System

12-23-2005, 08:26 PM	#2
RSawdey Mr. Wizard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ferndale, Michigan Age: 61 Posts: 5,981	I'd think there would be 37" LCD panels that would fit there... just checked, and even the 40" Samsung LCD would fit, with 3/4" on each side... that would be more than $1K though...

12-23-2005, 10:48 PM	#6
scgalena A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 14	Tower, I highly recommend the Sony KV-34HS420 34" FD Trinitron. I've had the Sony 36" 3 x 4 version of the 420 for some time and am still impressed by the superior PQ. As you've discovered, it's just about impossible to judge an HD CRT set's PQ in a store display. If you have the space and are happy with the limited screen size, HD CRTs are the way to go.

12-24-2005, 01:20 AM	#8
grmz13 HD Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South TX Posts: 15	Well, I have the Sony KD-34XS955, which is the model in between the HS420 and the XBR960. Unlike the HS420, it has the super fine pitch screen like the XBR, which yields a little more resolution, but not the PIP, which the XBR does have. They're a little over a grand though. Mine is like 200 bucks more than the HS420, just because of the super fine pitch. The HS420 is all silver and mine is like a graphite gray w/silver trim, which I like. I think the XBR is like a matte black w/silver trim. I agree about the pic quality though. With the exception of the new 1080ps coming out, CRT direct views have the best picture. I love my TV. I've had it for three months and it has some minor geometry issues (only noticeable with videogames or 4:3 bars)at the top corners, which are somewhat common with tubes, but I plan to get it ISF calibrated in about three more months, which will hopefully solve the minor issue. I have no experience with Panasonic, but I recommend the Sonys.

12-24-2005, 10:13 AM	#11
RSawdey Mr. Wizard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ferndale, Michigan Age: 61 Posts: 5,981	Doesn't that HS420 model also lack an ATSC tuner?

12-24-2005, 11:31 AM	#12
scgalena A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 14	Correct, the HS420 does not have an ATSC tuner.

12-25-2005, 04:26 PM	#13
NickH My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 8	I highly recommend the HS420 line, It doesn't have a tuner but who really uses that anyway? If your serious at all about hd you'll either have hd cable (locals usually included) or a dish which has the input for the ota antenna on the box. I have the 30HS420 and just got it isf calibrated last night and the picture is just amazing, Imho theres no comparison between crt and lcd but thats just me.

12-27-2005, 12:05 PM	#14
jjufon CMMS Junkie Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Frisco Tx Posts: 967	if you want the best 34" CRT, there is only one. the Sony kd-34xbr960. this set is used as the standard to compare CRT HDTV. i've owned one, and it has a great wow factor. i traded it for the new KS-R50XBR1 SXRD and it's great, but can't quite compare in color and black levels as the 34". JJ