Sony bids adieu to Trinitron CRT sets
By Darren Murph 
posted Mar 3rd 2008 2:04PM
posted Mar 3rd 2008 2:04PM
[Via Slashgear]
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I really need to pick up a spare CRT monitor while I can. I still find them far more useful as main monitors (with one or two LCDs supplementing them.)
Unfortunately, as they become more scarce, the price seems to go up.
I have no idea why you were ranked low.
*best colour accuracy by far (LCD doesn't come close to CRT here)
*best viewing angles and response rates
*easily able to switch to required resolution without looking sucky in 'non-native' res
*Trinitrons had best sharpness for a CRT and their later iterations were basically vertically and horizontally flat.
The only downsides: size and power consumption (and perhaps not as much sharpness as an LCD, but imperative for accurate graphics work)
Shame it has come to this "crap colour, poor response rate and colour shifts as u move your head, but look, oooh it's slim"-type market.
I always thought that CRTs (Trinitron CRTs in particular) - because of their superior qualities in these areas - would always have a niche following in the market.
Looks like I was wrong.
Getting one second-hand is becoming the only option. Now we have sections of the market searching in vain for LCDs that offer accurate colour and I'm thinking to myself "why?".
Don't forget the radiation...
Wow, 280 million units? That's less than one per person in the USA alone. I really would have estimated their shipments to be much higher than that!
I'm still using one of these...damn shitbox.
I need HDTV!
well i bought myself a trinitron based tv a month ago,just wanted to own the last best trinitron,although i do find the bravia picture to better may be due to the bravia engine.my first sony tv was bought in 1984,which had a wooden cabinet kv-2032ME mk2,then in 1996 i bought my secoond sony tv KV-2167mk2 which was flat vertically,and in 2008 i bought my last sony crt which is flat,i find my older tv better in picture quality then the newer flat tv.all the processing makes picture bad,my parents feel the best was the 1984 model.
but one thing is that its by far the best in crt.
It must be really sad to have the first comment and have it become low ranked...
A fond farewell indeed. I still have three Sony Trinitron TVs at home--they just continue to work flawlessly and offer great (SD) picture quality. RIP Trinitron.
Ditto ... I just replaced my 36" with a new LCD but I'll pay the $$$ to get the powerboard fixed and use it in my office. Now my lights don't dim/flick when I power up the TV anymore :-)
Kudos to Engadget's recent reporting (less cynical diatribes), has been better reading.
And great HDTV quality, I might add. I have a massive 36"er at home. Gigantic as heck, but hey- Trinitron's were the best CRT ever.
Wow... that photo really took me back. I remember growing up with one of those, sitting in my parents room watching Scooby Doo, sipping on a coke when Tab was popular. Wait - are they discontinuing Tab, too? Say it ain't so, 'cause I'm hiding the last of the Mateus.
Alas, poor Trinitron, I knew thee well.
Discontinuing Tab would cause no pain for anyone. Tab is one of the worst drinks I've ever tasted!
Even though I was part of the wall-mounted HDTV craze, I still perfer my good ole 32 inch CRT TV because thus far, neither LCD nor Plasma offer a picture better than it.
Plasma (in my eyes) gives better Black and White contrasts but it suffers from fuzzy pixelated images - especially in fast moving sequences.
LCD tv's work better with my 360/PS3/Wii but when I watch TV on them, the contrast isn't dark enough in the blacks.
Its funny because sometimes i visit my friends who have HDTV's and their pictures look HORRIBLE but they seem satisfied because they don't realize everything that's wrong with the quality.
With CRT, the only complaint is that it isn't thin, but, my picture quality is perfect for games and movies.
Me, too. I still have a Sony 34" 34XBR960 which is, arguably, the best consumer CRT HDTV ever made. It still blows away the Plasma's and LCD's that my friends have...True blacks, no motion blur whatsoever...awesome. Someday, when I have a larger living room and *need* a bigger screen, then I'll see what's available. Until then, I'll continue to rock my CRT goodness.
Agreed gentlemen. Mine is a 36" tube HDTV (similar to the XBR). Best looking set at the time and maybe since. The only drawback is the weight. I'm afraid one day it will collapse into a black hole. If I ever move again i think it may sell with the house.
My friend recently picked up the 36" model (used) you described. Me and a few of my friends helped him move into his apartment UP THREE FLIGHTS OF STAIRS. Needless to say that TV will never leave that apartment.
Me too, guys. I love my KD-34XS955. I keep telling myself that when I move from this top floor apartment (6 flights of stairs), I'll ditch the 200lb behemoth. But who am I kidding. I love it for all the reasons mentioned above and will probably keep it until it dies, or my back gives out.
I won't deny that your "true blacks" are a downfall of LCDs and Plasmas, and even your contrast ratios, however Sony and Samsung with their 120Hz displays are doing a fairly descent job trying to put this downfall to rest. The flat screen market is saturated with cheap options that really put shame to the enhancements that are available to those willing to pay for them. I love my 40" Sony Bravia and wouldn't go back to a CRT for anything.
I agree, the slight difference between a crt and a "good" lcd or plasma was not enough for me to keep my 200lb sony trinitron HDTV.
I tried to keep my KV-36XBR400 alive but there's a factory defect that I spent several thousand dollars repairing. Motion was much better than any of the plasma or LCD sets I've seen :(
That said, the plasma I have now is easier on the eye strain in HD resolutions.
@Flashpoint
I too was a fan of the CRT, I had a 19" Trini monitor and had good picture and was one of the few able to pull 1600x1200 for a decent price.
I also have a 30" CRT Widescreen HDTV, not sure its got a Trinitron tube, but it weights over 150lbs so it might as well be. Unfortunetly its not my secondary HDTV since I got a 50" 1080p DLP late last year. Price to screen size DLP beat LCD tvs hands down. Still has a pretty good picture.
I see this article, I turn around to look at the TV on the kitchen counter, the same one! Mine is from 1969 and still runs perfectly. My speaker screen has horizontal bands versus a perf grill though and I have 3 RGB ellipses rather than the BRG stripes underneath the speaker.
Say it isn't so! You just can't buy quality TV's like Panaphonic, Magnetbox and Sorny like you used to!
Simpsons Quote FTW
Trinitron is what made Sony what it is today. People think all Sony electronics have the same reputed quality as Trinitron.
mine's as old as i am. 27" piece of nice 80s aesthetics. kv-27hfr, i dont think im ever gonna get rid of it.
I still have my 10 year old 32" Trinitron as our main TV. It looks great and since the place where my TV goes will only hold something so wide... I'm going to watch this sucker until it dies.
I still use a Triniton as my main TV. Works like it did when it was new, except the power button sometimes requires a few presses for it to work. Pretty good considering it's from the '80's!
Such a great series.
I have a Trinitron from 83, its still going, and my main computer monitor is the rare 24" Sony Trinitron GDM-FW900 1920x1200 widescreen CRT.
They've given up their CRT and RPTV businesses, they don't make Plasmas and their LCDs are now made by Sharp.
Does Sony even make TVs anymore?
Meh, I guess it was worth it... anything for blu-ray to win, right?
Sony is making its own LCDs. Sharp doesn't make it for Sony.
My bad, I misconstrued this article:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/26/sharp-and-sony-tie-the-knot-on-lcd-hdtv-production/
My only beef with my Sony Trinitron was that it weighs a freaking TON. Otherwise, perfect in every way.
Weight = quality in the CRT world :D
I thought I noticed a tear emanating from my Trinition this morning.
And I just noticed another since I spelled its name wrong.
Sad day for TV's today... I still have a 20" Sony trinitron in my basement.... I still remember when my dad bought it for us back in 1998 (I was 6) and we got it from BJ's.
Am I the only one who feels terribly old when someone goes down the memory lane to recall something that happened "back in 1998"? Geez, that's like yesterday...
Most people get them with money, but hey, whatever works for you...
if yesterday was 10 years ago...
"named" that is the best comment ever! It caused quite a bit of LOLage XD
Named, I knew someone would say something like that!! LOL though...
I still have a 27in Trinitron XBR in the bedroom with features that still NO TV has today! In addition to the usual:
- Dual tuner
- Dual size PnP
- Split screen (Tuner & Video source)
- Digital Replay (PnP loops the last 3 seconds of video)
- Digital picture freeze (full screen)
It has, ready for this?
- A Digital multi channel feature which display 8 channels at once in an “L” shaped pattern (down the left side and across the bottom of the main picture)! It refreshes every second and when the button is pressed again moves up to the next 8 channels.
THAT FEATURE WAS AWESOME and I hope (given new technology) this makes it into the PS3 when it starts to do IP TV ( PS3 Home in the middle, live TV channels or PS3 eye pals down the left side and across the bottom). Come on Sony, let’s bring this 90s Trinitron feature back to the future...
you mean a channel preview mosaic or screen index?
It's been available on lots of models. I'm sat next to a JVC LCoS that has screen index. You don't see it that often now because it's mostly useless with digital services that require external boxes.
Neither. Mosaic and Screen index covers the entire screen. This keeps the main picture BIG and real time active (center and slightly to the right) while the small channel preview windows run along the right side and bottom. All this on an old 4x3 set. An update to this on a modern 16x9 (with real time previews) would even be more awesome!
And yet my 50-pound 1996 Trinitron 20-inch monitor is sitting on my desk, working perfectly (aside from a cable that has to be bent to keep the picture from turning yellow).
I won't switch to an LCD until this thing breaks. I like my 85hz 1024x768, as long as it runs TF2 at a high framerate and maximum settings.
my Dad uses a trinitron, and it has worked great for 9 or 10 years. the picture is great, and the only bad thing is the weight and size.
That was a great TV.
20 years old, 3 lamp replacements, 2 circuit boards, and our 27" is still going strong.
Ya, that sounds about right. My folks Trinitron lasted about 20 years too. The tube was still good, but the dial contacts wore out once.
I have a 32 inch Trinitron in my living room and I love it to death. It weighs enough to have its own gravity field but it's the best TV I have ever owned.
This is unfortunately not surprising since the demand seems to just not be there. OTOH I was able to buy a 40" Sony XBR HDTV for only $250 on Craiglist. It is an absolutely beautiful set.
I had a trinitron set, weighed a ton but the picture was great, unparalleled by anything else. Such a shame it decided to explode (no kidding, and rather spectacularly too might I add) a year ago.
I wonder how long is it before CRT TVs in general become a historical sight?
I guess this bodes poorly for a sequel to UHF.
I'm reading this news on my Sony Trinitron Multiscan 520GS 21" Monitor running at 1800x1440... My second monitor of the same model just died.. guess i can't get a new one
Anyone in the NYC area want to buy my 36" Sony Wega? I'm moving and refuse to carry it to the new apt, but this is without a question my favorite TV! It even has a built-in port for ad hoc wireless headphone use (included)!
fascinating
i killed the family trinitron of 10 years with my megadrive...ah the old days!
My pops claims his Trinitron has been a part of his family for 40 years.
My dad's 32" Trinitron just died on him a month ago and he broke down and bought a new 46" samsung LCD. But he loved that TV and so did I. It was a wonderful set at the time of purchase and for the last 17 years. Guess it's fitting to see Sony end the run now, but it sure was a good run.
Had a similar model from the pictured. We had that and a small portable 1967 Sony B&W when we went through Canada in 1970.
Still have a 5" portable Trintron Sony that like others still works from the 80's.
Truly R.I.P.
Farewell Trinitron. I still remember watching an ancient Sony TV my uncle had back in the early 80s. At that time the Trinitron was far and away superior to any other CRT on the market, even today those old sets look pretty good and a surprising number still work.
It's too bad CRTs take up so much space, I love my 22" Sony PC monitor, if I had a warehouse I'd stock up on a lifetime supply of them before they become scarce and spendy.
I HATE GOODBYES T.T
I'm gonna miss the Trinitron. I have a 36" set and it still works flawlessly. Yes it's heavy as hell, but there's still a different feeling when you watch movies on a CRT, not to mention a Trinitron which happens to be the best CRT ever made.
RCA FTW
jkjk
I have a trinitron monitor and Tv. There great, way better than many newer sets
I still own and use a 1998 KV-XF25M30 Trinitron TV.
The picture and sound quality is still great.
It weighs 38kgs (83lbs).
My Mum had one too from 1997-2003 until it went (she now uses a plasma).
Their 42" LCD is off the chain!!!! It's colors look as good as a Plasma!!
Is that Wii Sensor Bar on top of that thing?
that would be the integrated handle, so you can lug your trinitron with you wherever you go.
Trinitron gave me so much joy. OLED is a fit successor. I shed no tears, as Sony is still the greatest.
Here's another with a 60lb Trinitron as desktop monitor.
Wow. I have a tear in my eye. I'll always remember you, Trinitron!
When our CRT died about six months ago, we made the decision to go with CRT again.
We chose a Samsung slimline 32" widescreen model. It weighs in at 123 lbs, but the picture quality is excellent, especially the 1080i OTA.
We looked at LCDs and plasmas, but the cost vs. picture quality equation did not balance. CRT for me...and I'm sorry to see Trinitron go.
I loved my Sony Triniton when I was growing up. I hate to see them go. I have an 18-year old set made by Proton that still looks better than any TVs made today. Does anyone even make CRTs anymore? I'd buy one.
I'm typing this on a beautiful Sony Trinitron CRT with another one sitting next to it with my homework on it, and a third one as a tv to my left.
The Trinitron WILL LIVE ON!
We have three Trinitron TVs, a thirteen inch, a 20" 5-system, and a 27". All work great and look fantastic. It is too bad that they will be discontinued, but hopefully the flat panels of the future will catch up soon.
For me, the CRT based TV still has the best all round picture quality, and the Trinitron is an example of this. Just like other comments, I also own one, and it's been the best purchase I have ever made. I smile when I watch a movie on it.
I have owned several trinitrons and have bee a big fan of these sets ever since I can remember. I recently sold 2 very sought after trini's (KV-9PT50) for a good price. I still own a KV-1356R (made in 1980) with the wood cabinet and the picture is still beautiful to this day. I also own another 13" trini with the speakers sticking out the sides. I believe this was the only 13" stereo TV ever made! My most beloved trinitron thoiugh is the KV-27XBR40($1000.00). This TV has a 2-tuner digital PIP, digital special effects like split screen, freeze frame, etc. (you can freeze any action in the image), and comes with its own wireless stereo headphones to boot. Its large remote only uses one AA battery, which never seems to go dead. Now, that's what I call brilliant design. Oh, did I mention the incredible picture this set produces? Deep blacks and pure whites like I've never seen on any other TV, and I own a Pioneer plasma. They just don't make 'em this way anymore! As someone said earlier, the Trinitron is what made Sony what it is today. This was the best TV ever made, period. The person who bought their last iteration in the 40" size for $250 got a real gem. I remember this TV went for over $4000.00 when it first hit the market about 5 years ago. The Trinitron was developed back in the day when Sony was at its most creative level. Now, they don't even want to make Plasmas, instead focusing their efforts on gaming machines and PC's. What a shame and waste of talent. The Sony Trinitron will always live on in the hearts of those in the know. Long live the Trinitron! Enough said.
oh man sadness indeed! to add. I too have a HDTV CRT 1080i Samsung. 32"...it has THE BEST pic quality of any LCD or Plasma i have seen. I have it in my living room, i have a 27" HDTV in my room, watching same show on each tv no comparison, CRT was the shit. but alas like others have mentipned it weights a ton, the desk on which is on flexes more and more everyday lol...oh well..
just bought 2 used trinitrons tv's a 10 year old 32" & a 40xbr700 300lbs beast just in time for the superbowl,sweeeeet.
I have 4 of the 2003 model HP/Sony Trinitron 22" CRT monitors on my desk right now, and I can safely say, this is the coolest setup I have ever seen. Running them all at 1600x1200@85Hz on a hacked G5 running debian. QUAD DISPLAY! Yeah, baby! I can run wine and play 4 sessions of HALO @ aforementioned rez at the same time with FULL SETTINGS! Sigh........ I love Macs.... but especially Trinitrons. Ohh..... look at the pretty grenade...... oooooohh.......
Oh, by the way, my desk is a Herman Miller. Yet another dated, but excellent brand. It's 2" thick solid oak, and is 30 years old. Still shines. : )