CRT TV Discussion

[JakeHC]

Hey everyone,

I've been a bit quiet lately...


Anyway. I've got the chance to pick up a European TV here in AUS. It's called a Grundig Lenaro - 92 I believe. It's a flat screen crt with 5.1 surround sound built in. All for the low price of $50. Apparently this beast was $8000 on release 12 years ago or so.

Just wondering if anyone knows much about them or has one themselves? Looks to be quite high quality. It also weighs over 80 kilos...

[Dr.Agon]

$50 sounds like a steal, whats the screen size?

although they may not be as well known now, they're still a pretty good company IMHO

[JakeHC]

$50 sounds like a steal, whats the screen size?

although they may not be as well known now, they're still a pretty good company IMHO

From what i've found here's the specs for it.

Main characteristics

Type: CRT flat-screen TV;
Diagonal: 36";
Display format: 16:9;
Stereo sound: yes;
Refresh rate: 100 Hz;
Signal reception

Support TV standards: PAL, SECAM, NTSC;
Number of channels: 99;
Teletext: with the memory on the 2000 pages;
Sound

Sound power: 140 W (5.1 channel Dolby Digital sound 140 W);
Acoustic system: 4 dynamics;
Subwoofer: yes;
Surround sound: yes;
Dolby Digital Decoder: yes;
Interfaces

Inputs: S-Video, VGA;
Connectors on the front/side panel: AV;
Headphone Jack: yes;
Functions

Picture in picture: yes;
Protection of children: yes;
Additionally

Anti-glare coating: yes;
Dimensions (WxHxD): 996x745x603 mm;
Weight: 83 kg;
Additional information: Digital comb filter dynamic focus, high contrast ratio, built-in DVD player. Digital outputs: optical and coaxial connector IR datalink.;
 

[Dr.Agon]

that does indeed sound like a beast!

[Ozzy_98]

It's a digital 16:9 TV, so there will be lag like with an LCD.  It might be pretty low, might be unbearable.

[wiggy]

It's a digital 16:9 TV, so there will be lag like with an LCD.  It might be pretty low, might be unbearable.

Seeing as it's a CRT, it's pretty likely that to supports 240P natively. My Sony tube does, and it's got a digital processor as well.

[JakeHC]

Well my current one sounds like it's gonna blow up! I'm really keen to get this beast. It's about an hour away... dunno if it'll fit in my car. Hoping my mate is free this weekend to lend a hand. I'll have to make a blog out of this. I'm pretty excited.

I've never really stopped to consider CRT resolution. I always thought it was a standard 480p.

[Shadow_Zero]

36", quite rare!
It has VGA input?  :O  (but not SCART?)

[Ozzy_98]

Well my current one sounds like it's gonna blow up! I'm really keen to get this beast. It's about an hour away... dunno if it'll fit in my car. Hoping my mate is free this weekend to lend a hand. I'll have to make a blog out of this. I'm pretty excited.

I've never really stopped to consider CRT resolution. I always thought it was a standard 480p.

Most TVs\CRTs were 480i res, but remember there were computer monitors too, my old KDS was a 1600x1200 21" CRT.
If it's got VGA, chances are it can do 640x480p but all I'm seeing listed is 640x480 60 Hz.  I dont see any fancy filters other than the zooms, so there most likely isn't anything stupid going on that'll cause lag, but if it does have a progressive scan mode, most likely you'll have at least 1 frame of lag.  There's a chance it'll try to deinterlace the non-standard "240p" (There is no such thing as 240p, it's 480i with the offset value staying the same value each field)

For $50 it's worth the gamble no matter what, but if you're really worried, see if they'll let you hook up a system to it at first.

[JakeHC]

Picked it up today anyway. Never again. Heaviest thing I've ever hauled up a flight of stairs. I don't think I'll be taking it with me when I move haha.

I'll post some photos up later, it's definitely a beast.

On another note. What is the best way to get video output. It takes in s-video as well I was thinking of buying some snes cables that support that. I figure its better than rca?

[tjsynkral]

Picked it up today anyway. Never again. Heaviest thing I've ever hauled up a flight of stairs. I don't think I'll be taking it with me when I move haha.

I'll post some photos up later, it's definitely a beast.

On another note. What is the best way to get video output. It takes in s-video as well I was thinking of buying some snes cables that support that. I figure its better than rca?

RGB SCART is best. If the TV doesn't include it, it can be modified to support it.
This thread has a whole bunch of posts, some of my successes can be seen halfway through the thread. http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=56155

[redsox2012]

Picked it up today anyway. Never again. Heaviest thing I've ever hauled up a flight of stairs. I don't think I'll be taking it with me when I move haha.

I'll post some photos up later, it's definitely a beast.

On another note. What is the best way to get video output. It takes in s-video as well I was thinking of buying some snes cables that support that. I figure its better than rca?

I have my SNES connected via S-Video, and I think the picture quality is great.  IMO there's a bigger jump from RCA Composite to S-Video than there is from S-Video to Component or RGB.  I have a Sega Genesis connected via a SCART to Component box on the same TV and there's not much noticeable difference between the SNES and Genesis picture quality.  Since SNES outputs S-Video without modification (something the Genesis can't do), I'd connect it that way (cables are easy to find).

[Cat]

If you can get your hands on an RGB monitor, I highly recommend getting one for retro gaming (240p and possibly 480i) along with the appropriate BNC and SCART adapters. The sharp picture, beautiful colors, and excellent contrast will make you wonder why most consumer CRTs were abysmal in quality.

I also miss my 34-inch Sony XBR-series CRT HDTV. I'd get another one if I didn't have to ask for help moving it.

[JakeHC]

Picked it up today anyway. Never again. Heaviest thing I've ever hauled up a flight of stairs. I don't think I'll be taking it with me when I move haha.

I'll post some photos up later, it's definitely a beast.

On another note. What is the best way to get video output. It takes in s-video as well I was thinking of buying some snes cables that support that. I figure its better than rca?

RGB SCART is best. If the TV doesn't include it, it can be modified to support it.
This thread has a whole bunch of posts, some of my successes can be seen halfway through the thread. http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=56155

The TV includes it already I'll check the thread out. I've ordered some cables for S-Video and SCART to play around with. Hopefully they won't take long getting here from overseas. The wait is gonna kill me.

[Cat]

Picked it up today anyway. Never again. Heaviest thing I've ever hauled up a flight of stairs. I don't think I'll be taking it with me when I move haha.

I'll post some photos up later, it's definitely a beast.

On another note. What is the best way to get video output. It takes in s-video as well I was thinking of buying some snes cables that support that. I figure its better than rca?

RGB SCART is best. If the TV doesn't include it, it can be modified to support it.
This thread has a whole bunch of posts, some of my successes can be seen halfway through the thread. http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=56155

The TV includes it already I'll check the thread out. I've ordered some cables for S-Video and SCART to play around with. Hopefully they won't take long getting here from overseas. The wait is gonna kill me.

As a confirmation, have you ordered PAL or NTSC SCART cables? As you're in Australia and are using a European set, you'll want to confirm you ordered PAL ones. This is more of an issue for folks in North America with NTSC, though, as we don't have SCART connectors on consumer television sets, so SCART cables are considerably rarer.