Recommendations for 26" CRT HDTV

[VikingP]

Hi,

I am starting to think about changing my little 20" TV, and would like to know if anyone has any recommendations on a good set. Every time I go for an upgrade, I always end up changing something in the sound domain, and completely leave out the video (in my defense, I listen to music more then watch movies). Now I think that I should get rid of the 20" and go for something with better PQ, and a bit bigger size. My room is about 11"x10", and my viewing distance is around 5.5-6". From all that, I assume I should be looking at a 26".
I read that CRT is mainly better then LCD, with a much bigger footprint, but what are your opinions?
I began looking for some 26" CRT HDTV, but I could only come up with two of them: a Toshiba (26HF85C), and a Samsung (TXR2664WX). Are there any others that I should look for?
One last thing, both the Toshiba and Samsung say they can display 480i, 480p, 540p, and 1080i, but can accept 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i, meaning that the 720p is converted to another supported resolution. First, is the difference between 480p and 1080i, or 720p and 1080i really noticeable at that size? And are there any direct view CRTs at 26" that can display 720p?

Any help and opinions are greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Paul

[aud19]

First, congrats on not getting sucked in to all the fixed pixel display hype :T :lol:

Otherwise... there's also the Panasonic 26" set:

http://www.panasonic.ca/english/audiovideo/television/tau/ct26wx15.asp

Personally I'd probably go for the Panny or the Toshiba myself. Depending on your budget you could also consider one of the 30" or 34" sets. At ~6' they shouldn't be too big but also offer a more immersive experience. Of course they also cost more...

As far as I know most, if not all, CRT's don't play 720p natively and convert it to 480p, 540p or 1080i. I believe the Princeton AF3.0 and AF3.4 might have been able to display 720p natively and was also likely the best performing direct view monitor ever made (They're used by many pro's for video editing and as benchmark/testing equipment). However, Princeton no longer makes them as far as I know.

The difference between 480i and 480p, 1080i etc is noticeable at just about any distance

[VikingP]

Hi,

Thank you for your response aud19.

I looked at the Panasonic's specs and features, and it seems very similar to the Toshiba. I will go and check them out soon to compare their PQ. As for the 30", they would seem fine, if only their footprint would be a bit smaller so it can fit in the cabinet.

Just out of curiosity, which would you say should give a better PQ, 540p or 1080i? It seems they should both come back to about the same thing, since from what I understood, 1080 is alternating between one set of 540, and another set of 540.

Thank you.

Paul

[aud19]

Most TV's in the same price range/category usually do have similar features

In general 1080i is better for still images and 540p for fast motion.

So it depends on what you watch. If you spend a lot of time watching slow paced dramas, talk shows and programs on flowers... go with 1080i. If you prefer action movies and sports, 540p is probably your best bet