Which TV type is better for Divx - CRT or LCD?

[BluDChyLD]

Hey guys,
I have been using the tv-out on my ATI card to watch divx and mpeg4 on my TV for years and recently I have been thinking about getting a new television. 36" CRTs are going dead cheap refurbished but the weight of them is putting me off, and I would rather get an LCD.

My biggest gripe is that I don't think LCD will be as forgiving as older CRT technology when it comes to masking the artificacts and distortion introduced in mpeg4 (especially with low birate/res). I'm sure someone on here is bound to have a HT-PC linked up to an LCD tv, can anyone offer their advice/experience with it?
Thanks!
Dawson

[Slitheen]

Correct, unless you are watching HD Divx footage. An LCD will not be very forgiving of Standard Definition MPEG4 video.

[BluDChyLD]

Thanks for the reply. Thought as much! A shame though as I have quite a few VHS captures and low-res TV shows that aren't availible on DVD... Despite the quality, most things look pretty good on my cheapo CRT tv via s-video. Will probably keep hunting for another CRT, but the 36" are 70kg and up!

[jggimi]

I have a 32" I'm considering selling. Sony Wega. Unfortunately, shipping costs would be prohibitive. :rolleyes:

[DigitAl56K]

I'm one of the few people in our office who still uses CRTs, I have a pair set up for dual screen on my desk. As much as I can say that LCDs have really improved a lot over the last few years I still don't particularly like any of the displays I see around the office, with the exception of a very wide LCD that Gej uses, and I think I like it more for it's wide aspect than for color. My main problem with the LCDs I've seen is contrast, recently for example I was working with some material that had light text on a white background, and while this was clearly distinguishable on my CRTs or projector on the LCDs it was invisible unless viewing from a side or top angle. For CRTs you have to be careful finding one that produces a really sharp picture.

I think when I move away from CRTs it will be for OLED or laser. Plus, I need my daily dose of radiation.

[Sharktooth]

I'm one of the few people in our office who still uses CRTs, I have a pair set up for dual screen on my desk. As much as I can say that LCDs have really improved a lot over the last few years I still don't particularly like any of the displays I see around the office, with the exception of a very wide LCD that Gej uses, and I think I like it more for it's wide aspect than for color. My main problem with the LCDs I've seen is contrast, recently for example I was working with some material that had light text on a white background, and while this was clearly distinguishable on my CRTs or projector on the LCDs it was invisible unless viewing from a side or top angle. For CRTs you have to be careful finding one that produces a really sharp picture.

I think when I move away from CRTs it will be for OLED or laser. Plus, I need my daily dose of radiation.
Ah! Radiations... i miss them... :D
However i prefer CRTs too...

[BluDChyLD]

Hey guys,
Decided to stick to good ol' CRT - got myself a bargain on a Toshiba 36" 36ZP46P. RRP was a whopping £1600 back in '04, but because CRT has practically been abandoned by most people I picked one up for just over £300 :) Weighs a ton though :D

Also, have gone the opposite direction with my PC screen and have ditched my trusty iiyama 19" CRT for a ViewSonic vx924. Has taken some getting used too, but i'm very impressed so far!

[Blue_MiSfit]

I have an unhealthy desire to make love to my Sony G500 21" CRT :)

1920x1440 (4:3 1080p) at 72 or 60 Hz depending on frame rate... It's gorgeous...

Even though she's a little off whack and one of the corners stretches a little too far. I still love her very much. And I got her and a matching sister for $100. Wow.

When I plug in my old rinky dink KDS 17" for tech work here and there I am shocked that I accepted such dim, low contrast off-color nonsense.

I'm still not sold on most LCDs though. The only ones that have really impressed me is the Apple cinema displays - though i haven't really seen any other high end models. As everyone here is saying, the contrast just isnt there.

Still, my CRT completely dominates my desk, and rules over lesser peripherals with an iron fist of justice. It's way too big for my room but whatever :) I need a seperate office!

~Misfit

[Your_Idol]

"Decided to stick to good ol' CRT... gone the opposite direction with my PC screen..."

That is the best way to go. Good Choices.

Get a big LCD tv in a few years when they perfect the technology.

[olnima]

"Decided to stick to good ol' CRT... gone the opposite direction with my PC screen..."

That is the best way to go. Good Choices.

Get a big LCD tv in a few years when they perfect the technology.

...and its price ;)
Exactly my opinion: for pc a flatscreen is better: smaller, less current, leighter and maybe more exact in details. If I had to buy a TV now I would buy a CRT because You have never got such good CRTs for such low money. And definatly it makes the videos look nicer then they eventually are. Have You ever watch a soccer-match on a LCD-TV where the cameras are moving fast behind the ball? The grass is only a green carpet.
But with middle or bad encodes You see every artefact - exact the opposite of what You normally want.

Olnima

[Mug Funky]

my main gripe with LCD/Plasma as they are at the moment is the digital conversion from YUV to RGB. it's usually total crap, and greys will come out as blocky, flickering greens and pinks. dither patterns are far too noticable and the gamma is wacky as hell and nothing like what the original was.

CRTs are blurrier, but a progressive CRT looks very very nice and doesn't suffer the uglies that current LCD/plasmas do.

once the new TVs get a higher dynamic range (ie more than 7 bits), and do something about their other problems, they'll be worth getting. but for now i wouldn't waste my money.

[DewAsmara]

Ahh Flat Panel,
I am not too satisfied yet, even I have two (monitor and TV). CRT Progressive like Samsung Wide Screen HDMI give very good performance with very good money can buy price. At 32 inch its price very cheap compare to any present Flat Panel. And yet contrast and colour still much better than any Flat I have been review. Have been test it with KingKong which I write onto DivX HD format, the picture still can beat any Flat Screen like Sony Bravia Series.