Dilema

[Duds]

Hey Ed,

Thanks for the info. The XS line from Sony has been getting rave reviews at avsforum.com.

I like crt's because i think they provide an great picture for much less than plasma or other formats. And the overall size doesnt really concern me, I dont need a flat panel.

i may have to spend a little more than i had hoped on a Sony.

Two things are happening in the CRT world: The technology has stabilized in such a way as to make most of the products offered by reputable companies pretty good, but the manufacturers' impetus to pay much attention to improving or pushing CRTs has waned considerably. Another recent post on this board made a point of stating how good the 34" Sony XBRs are. They are good, but so are Sony's non-XBRs. In fact, last year's XBRs often turn into this year's non-XBRs. My only caveat with the Sonys concerns the scrolling bar across the screen at 1080i. I don't know whether Sony has eliminated it; it used to be endemic, regardless of apparent fixes. It never bothered me that much, but once you've seen it, you keep seeing it. The higher-end Panasonic, Toshiba, and Philips direct view CRTs over the last few years listing in the $2000 area have been pretty good, but I haven't kept up with them. I recall that Samsung's CRTs were relatively affordable and well appointed, though I've never spent any time with one. Outsourcing of CRTs doesn't surprise me at this late stage of the CRT game. You'd probably be surprised at how much outsourcing goes on these days with even more glamorous products (Fujitsu used to have its hand in almost every plasma under the sun). I'm hesitant to make a recommendation, but if you can find a closeout of a Sony XBR, or even the line below it, from a reputable dealer, at something like your price, you might consider it. Maybe someone will come up with a good, clean recommendation.

Ed

[edtyct]

In some ways, it's the golden age of CRTs, with arguably the best picture and the lowest price--the only relative disadvantages being the small screen, the huge depth, and the back-spasm-inducing weight. Thankfully, you don't have to pick them up to turn them on. Have fun.

Ed