Quick Questions about Sony KV-27FS13

[Royal]

Hello. I recently went into a thrift shop while dropping off stuff at a post office. While looking I found a 27 inch Sony Trinitron that looks like this:

Sony trinitron

Sony trinitron

It had composite, s-video, and even component inputs on the back. It was not plugged into any wall outlets or sources so I couldn't see if the picture quality is good. I'll go back tomorrow and ask about it.

Is there anyone knowledgeable about this specific model, and if so, is this model one of the crts that process every input via an analog process (processing 240p correctly) or does it do it digitally like many "HD CRTs". I would assume the former since it clearly says "SDTV" on bottom, but I just want to double check before I make a purchase.

[Einzelherz]

It is a good late model tv. SDTV only which means 480i (and therefore 240p). If you have any consoles that output component (or s-video, if not) bring it to the store and try it out to see how the tube looks. Most stores are ok with that. I'd suggest going sooner than later since Sony TVs move fast, around here at least.

[Royal]

It is a good late model tv. SDTV only which means 480i (and therefore 240p). If you have any consoles that output component (or s-video, if not) bring it to the store and try it out to see how the tube looks. Most stores are ok with that. I'd suggest going sooner than later since Sony TVs move fast, around here at least.

A LOT of things happened today.

1. The second picture is a lie. For some reason, I took a picture of the bottom of the Sharp television right next to the Sony Trinitron. However, it also had component, s-video, and composite inputs as well. It is a Sharp 32SC26B or something like that.

2. Today, I followed your advice before even reading it and tested both sets using the virtual console games on my Wii via 480i composite. This would allow virtual console games to output true 240p. I tested Sonic the Hedgehog on both sets and used still images and the screen you get when you win a Chaos Emerald (the one that's supposed to blink while solid, instead of being combed or otherwise like if it was digitally processed incorrectly as 480i rather than 240p).

Both sets have processed the game correctly and shows visible scanlines. The Sharp set had a curved screen and I can notice how it slightly affects the scrolling of the game. It also seems to very saturated in color, while the Sony seemed more natural. Scanlines were more prominent on the Sony Trinitron and it did not show any issues with scrolling (it is flat btw).

I tested 480i outside of the virtual console with the menu and Super Mario Galaxy. The jittering effect with true 480i is a LOT more noticeable on the Sony Trinitron than it is the Sharp, probably due to the phosphors on the Sharp (I noticed the health warning lingering on the black screen for half a second after the message is supposed to disappear). Granted it doesn't look that bad while you're playing, but it's to the point where if the Sony cannot achieve 480p, I might consider getting the Sharp.

3. As far as 480p, at the time, I did not have any way of testing it. My only set of component cables for the Wii failed earlier this year, and I have relied on one of those Wii2HDMI dongles, which obviously I couldn't plug into the set. And being pretty young and only recently have been getting into the retro market, it was my only console for retro games. So, I considered ordering the monoprice component cables and simply waiting until I returned from my trip to Texas to actually test the two sets.

Until later this evening when browsing through a pawn shop and got a STEAL: An original Xbox AND games (Halo, Halo 2, and Sega GT 2002/Jet Set Radio Future Combo) and six month warranty for about 42 dollars!! AND, it came with component cables, albeit the generic kind that also connects to the PS2 and Gamecube. All four games can output 480p.

I will test these TVs out tomorrow morning for 480p, and depending on the result, I may end up purchasing one of the sets before I leave for vacation.

EDIT: Actually, there's one more question: I seriously want the Sony Trinitron, but the jitter effect with 480i still bothers me. Is there any way through TV settings I can at least mitigate this by a little. Because even if it cannot process 480p, everything other than its jittery 480i completely dominates the Sharp set.

Please answer this question ASAP!

[Einzelherz]

Both TVs are SDTVs and as such, cannot do 480p. They both are flickering at 480i, but (and this is speculation) a possible reason that the Sony is more noticeable is that it's an aperture grille display that allows more light through than the shadow mask (probably a slot mask) on the Sharp.

I personally don't play much 480i stuff, but on darker or at least less white screens (the opposite of the Wii menu or the Dreamcast/PSX boot screens) I hardly notice it.

EDTVs (those that can accept 480p) are pretty rare, at least in the states. Most of them are LCDs, as well, I believe.

A little research shows that the Sharp is likely newer (you can probably check the backs of the sets to verify). I cannot attest to the quality of the sets against each other as that comes down to your personal preference, aside from geometry and things which only a side by side comparison can tell you.

If it were me, I'd get both and play with them a while, keeping the better one. I don't expect that they're very expensive. If I had to pick one, and the picture quality was comparable, I'd probably take the Sharp, as they don't pop up very often, whereas many Sonys seem to have survived. And my PVMs have reminded me that curved screen geometry can be much better than flat.