Looking around in shops recently I've noticed that no CRT TVs on the market are HD ready. I know the trend these days is for plat panel plasmas and lcds but I'm wondering if there's some technical reason why a CRT TV can't be HD ready or whether it's a cynical marketing ploy to force us to ditch our old sets earlier than we need to in favour of flat panel screens that generally don't offer as good a picture, but carry the all-important HD ready tag.

Any thoughts?

I believe that as CRT tvs do not have digital inputs hdmi or dvi they cannot display high def. My pioneer 42" plasma gives a much better picture than my Sony 36" crt. I wouldn't go back.

Yeah that's what I thought initially but then lots of CRT tvs have component inputs which should in theory be able to receive HD pictures up to 1080i, although admittedly not as a digital signal.

Anyway, good to see that you reckon the Plasma beats your old Sony CRT. I haven't really been convinced by the picture quality on flat screens but I hear that they're rapidly improving.

I've just read a story about a new Samsung CRT TV that's HD-ready. So it looks as though it's more than possible to do it:

http://www.t3.co.uk/news/247/entertainment/other/europes_first_hd_ready_crt

Ah just what I suspected! It can be done, it's just the manufacturers want us to buy these high-price flat screens. The article mentions it costing 350 quid. You'd never be able to find a 32" HD-ready LCD for that price!

yes, well that samsung has other divergece and purity problems, according to some posters..

and SED will be the 'big thing' when you realize it is basically the CRT principle, minitaurized to an individual pixel... :)

I have Panasonic 32" crt TX32-PD30 that is progressive scan compatible. It has component inputs for the progressive, does this mean it will show HD pictures. If so will they be any good?

'it depends' as they say....
try these links....
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/dvihdmicomponent.htm

We have a 32 inch Sony CRT set and have been looking at buying a similar size LCD screen but are continually disappointed with the picture quality demonstrated on the LCDs. The CRT set is consistently much better than the demos. Some computer driven demos are impressive but not natural. Alan Ward’s impression is quite the oposite of mine.

here's the rest of those links... :)

good guide to HDTV etc..

The Facts and Fiction of 1080p

'HDready' is finally getting there, but make sure that means 1080p - It depends whether money or picture quality is the most important..

or whether you prefer the small depth and weight compared to an equivalent CRT!!

There are some LCDS coming out that have 4X this resolution, yes 4320 pixels high!! this should address some of the 'staircase' problems displays get...

If your existing TV produces good enough pictures, It would definatly be good to wait a few more years, for the technology to improve, and prices to go down!! :)

I'now trying to sell a Panasonic 28" CRT, can't give it away!!
Just bought 37" Panasonic Plasma (HD) and have a 50" Fujitsu (58 series) coming in a couple of days. to me knocks spots off of any LCD as I did intend to get a 32" LCD, until I viewed them... Heat hazy picture, bad motions and bad viewing angles unless viewing straight on.
Really pleased with the 37" Plasma
Anyone want to buy a Panasonic CRT??!! would never go back!!

now if you had told me that 2 weeks ago....

too late, got *given* a 25" stereo TV last week! :):) put it in my bedroom! (yeah, but it was free... )

I already have a good 32" WS TV in lounge, I dont want to move that again in a hurry - it took two of us to move it!!

I'd put your TV on ebay, I know a few guys who use it a lot...

the big problem would be delivery though....

Thanks for that Foneman!! yeah I guess it would cost more to deliver than I would get, It's a shame as it's in perfect condition with a perfect picture and prologic with 4 speakers...great in it's time!!

Thanks to all those who offered advice. I have now purchased a Panasonic PDP-436VDE which is amazing even with a viewing distance of only 2.5 mtrs. Good enough that with good broadcasts I have no drive to consider HD, and I have seen HD working in a realistic environment. I also have a Marantz 9600 and the two together give a real cimema like experience.

Panasonic??? arent' the PDP-436s Pioneer models????? and VDE? do you mean XDE or FDE... I couldn't find any VDE...

You are quite right. Fingure trouble. Should read PDP-436XDE.

I saw a Samsung CRT claiming to be HD ready in BIG W (Woolworths) Edinburgh earlier this week. It was fairly stylish at at £449 possibly a bargain. I have an LCD Samsung which is ace but I haven't done any HD as yet due to sources being a rip off (Sky) an programming minimal. Did speak to an Amercan of holiday who is getting 100's of cable HD source for $20 a month! Lets hope we catch up soon.

Mike

the trouble with CRTs is that they are rather heavy for their size, and even the depth can be a problem!!

a smaller screen size may be ok, but it will not resolve full HD...

its up to you, do you wand a full HD screen you can hang on the wall, or one that takes two strong guys to move into place??

http://www.samsung.com/Products/TV/SlimFitHDTV/TXS3080WHXXAA.asp

Mike

nice, but lets let the specs speak for themselves...

above slimfit CRT - (TXS3080W)
weight = 119.1 Lbs.
size = 31.3"(W) x 23.1"(H) x 16.3"(D)

similar LCD - LN-S3296D (couldnt see 30")
weight = 33.1 Lbs.
size = 31.6"(W) x 20.4"(H) x 3.5"(D)

--- about a third the weight and depth...
- also I dont see 1080P for the CRTs, that LCDs have...