The Sony Guide to Home Theater 19
Choosing a Screen Type
As we've mentioned, the range of available television screens has never been
greater. If you're into the technology, it's an incredible feast. If you're a little uncertain,
the sheer selection can be daunting. Here's a quick guide to what's what, and how to
choose.
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) direct view.
WHAT IT IS. The conventional television. You're looking at the front of a large
glass envelope, the inside of which is coated with phosphors. The picture is formed
by an electron beam, the "cathode ray" that makes the phosphors glow.
BENEFITS. Despite the new competition, the CRT continues to be the most popular
type of television. It's not hard to see why. The age of the flat CRT, ushered in by
Sony's own FD Trinitron® picture tube, means that today's best CRTs are more
accurate than ever. Not only do CRTs offer the lowest cost for each screen size, they
also offer longevity and the best picture quality. With CRTs, the blacks are blacker
and the contrast is greater. You also get the widest viewing angle, and the bright
picture stands up well to ambient room light. And CRTs are not saddled with altitude
limits, so you can watch them anywhere.
LIMITATIONS. CRT televisions are the heaviest. A 32-inch CRT television can
weigh over 200 pounds and is typically over 20 inches deep. Direct-view CRTs are
also limited in screen size. Few CRTs are larger than 36 inches diagonal. Sony's
largest is 40 inches diagonal. Speakers need to be magnetically shielded, so as not to
interfere with the CRT electron guns.
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