Direct-view CRT HDTV Displays

CRT stands for “cathode ray tube” and is the type of TV we are all most familiar with. Chances are, if you have a TV that is 5 or more years old, you have a CRT TV. Despite their age, CRT displays still offer a lot of bang for your buck.

The main advantages of CRT’s include:
- Flat screen – which provides wide viewing angles (most new CRT’s built today have flat screens, but you will still find a few that have are manufactured with curved screens)
- Outstanding picture quality
- Relatively inexpensive in all sizes- No danger of burn-in- Capable of producing true blacks

Sounds great, so why are CRT displays losing market share new display technology like plasmas and LCD’s?
- Bulky size and very heavy weight
- Maximum screen size is limited to approximately 36”

To give you an idea of what is meant by “bulky” and “very heavy”, a typical 27” flat screen CRT will weigh around 100-120 lbs, a typical 30” flat screen CRT will weigh about 150 lbs and a typical 36” flat screen CRT will tip the scales at about 200-225 lbs. At over 200 lbs., that kind of weight is going to require at least 2 strong people to lift it up onto the TV stand.

CRT’s are also much larger in terms of depth. A typical 27” CRT measures 20” deep, a typical 34” CRT measures 24” deep, and a typical 36” CRT measures 26” deep.

Why should I choose a flat screen CRT over a curved screen CRT?

The answer is two-fold: 1) Having a flat-screen will allow for wider viewing angles, so that you can those people sitting on the left and right sides of the TV also have a good view of the images being displayed.2) Having a flat screen will allow you to view the picture as it was meant to be seen, without any of the stretching in images that is associated with a curved tube. A curved tube has inherent flaws that cause the image to be “stretched” as it reaches the edges of the screen. While this may not be an important feature for you, I would encourage you to look at a flat screen and a curved screen side-by-side. The difference in image quality will be much more apparent.