LG Lafinion 82W - 32" widescreen CRT - opinions?

[Kabal2X]

Hi to all shmup fans
Haven't posted here but been reading these threads for ages - the tate setup thread is my fav! I'm starting a shmup development with a friend, but will post a more detailed thread when we feel we are ready.

This TV just popped at my local "ebay" style site, they're asking for about US$100, but that involves going with a car as there's no way I can move this monster on a bus haha!! I think its a pretty good CRT from what Ive read, but really I've never ever seen an HD widescreen CRT before, so I dont know what to expect.

Do any of you guys have any experience with this CRT? Judging by the specs and considering the price, do you think that I should buy it??
Currently I have a 21" CRT (nothing special but it has component input, thats something) and a 19" LCD for my PC.

If I end buying it, what other equipment should I buy, too? I'm planning to use it for SNES, Playstation 1, 2 and 3 - I want to buy a 360 in the future too, for the shmups. Wich way would be the best to connect these consoles, and if possible the PC, too?

Thanks in advance!

(sorry for my crappy english )
edit: forgot to add that I want to buy a Dreamcast, too (that would be my fifth Dreamcast - why do I have to sell them??)

[Ed Oscuro]

Some contemporary (2004-2006) posts (like this) indicate Sony sets are better. Keep looking, maybe you'll get lucky like I did! You might even find a broadcast or professional monitor somewhere.

[Kabal2X]

Thanks for your help Ed. This is the first time I've seen an HD 16:9 CRT here where I live (Chile). The other good option was a Sony PVM, especifically the PVM-1314 model, for the same price as the LG Widescreen. I know these broadcast monitors are pro grade, but the 13" screen size would make more blind than already am haha.

The seller just replied to my question and it seems that this particular model has no SCART input socket, but it has component. The best option for old school consoles would be to mod them to get RGB output, and then connect that to the TV via component cables, right? I know this is no easy task as the components needed to make this arent cheap, but this would be a fun proyect to learn more about the subject.

[Fudoh]

and then connect that to the TV via component cables, right?

you would need a RGB Scart to component trancoder, not just adapter cables.

[Ed Oscuro]

Beaten to the punch (I deleted my post in progress because that covers it). Some additional ideas though:

I think a component TV might be good for many types of display - although it will have some potential shortcomings if you get into unusual types of displays (especially arcade boards). But that notwithstanding it should be a good option.

You might also consider the professional or broadcast monitors again - not only are most of them very flexible, but some of them are very handy even with composite videos (all color channels in one signal line), like the BVM-20F1U seen here: link. Of course these might not be available locally, and shipping on big units quickly becomes a problem even within the U.S. It is, however, something to perhaps look into.

Probably the composite television is a good choice. Here in the U.S. it's actually quite rare to find used TVs with composite inputs on sale for good prices.

[Endymion]

I do not have this TV.

I do, however, have two LG CRTs with different model names. I googled the manual for the LG Lafinion 82W and it appears to be nearly identical to the LG 30FZ4D. I've grabbed a lot of widescreen CRTs in the past two years. I can tell you that the LG 30FZ4D is perhaps my favourite, with wonderful colour and an excellent image. I think these CRTs were very understated for how nice their image was, mostly for how briefly they were available here in the states. I also have the LG 30FS4D, which is extremely similar to the other model in all features except for it being a "slim fit" style tube.

My LG 30FS4D was made in June 2006. My LG 30FZ4D was made in December 2005.

The LG 30FS4 has a very nice, very clear picture in an area of the screen which is roughly the same as a 4:3 (i.e. non-wide) screen. Closer to the left and right sides, the pixels are spaced much farther apart. This makes the image look a little strange. Blurry is not quite the proper word; it does appear less sharp near these sides, but it may not be noticeable unless you are trying to read text or view certain kinds of video, like animated cartoons. For 3D gaming it is very good, for 2D gaming it is not quite as good for this reason, although if you turn off the widescreen feature as you might for proper ratio with older games, it does a great job.

The LG 30FZ4D has just as sharp a picture as the 30FS4D, but it is uniformly sharp across the entire area. When I first got my 30FZ4D, there was a very slight discolouration in one corner. Multiple degaussing fixed this, and I have used it with all my consoles. It currently serves plug-up duty with my PC for anything I might game with a pad. It is not as slim as the 30FS4D, obviously, but it is perhaps only 6" or so deeper, so any space I might want to use a TV with is suitable. It does not weigh much more than the 30FS4D either. I know it's not a Trinitron screen, but it looks very nice in my computer/game room, and it is probably the best kept, best condition, used CRT that I have acquired in the past five years, so I've already armed myself with the service manual in order to keep it working well as long as I can. About the only complaint I can level against it is the remote sensor is difficult to hit properly if you aren't aiming from directly ahead. If anything, this may be less of an issue with the Lafinion 82W; it appears to be a newer version, with at least a few features the 30FZ4D lacked, like the VGA input for instance. I would grab it if it were in my own reach, and you can obviously use it with your PC as well. Just be prepared to keep another computer-specific screen around if you do this. It isn't so easy to read text at the DPI your computer uses, when done on a CRT of this kind.

[Kabal2X]

and then connect that to the TV via component cables, right?

you would need a RGB Scart to component trancoder, not just adapter cables.

I think this is a trancoder, right? http://www.retrogames.cl/foro/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=9133&
(sorry, site in spanish)

Thanks for your help Ed, too.

Edit: Wow, thanks Endymion. I will ask for pictures with the screen turned on, to see if those "pixels far apart from each other" at the sides of the screen occur in this case.
I think US$100 it's not that much, since most of 21" and 29" traditional CRTs are still being sold (used, of course) for about US$80 each.

[matrigs]

i have a lg 29fs2rmb and i hate it.

the picture is pretty sharp and the colours very vivid, but everything else is bad.

as endymion said, due to the very slim lcd the sides of the screen are very defocused. furthermore, the aperture grill becomes very apparent on the sides.

and don't get me started on geometry. it is completely and utterly bonked. there are goddamn WAVES 1-2cm wide on every single side of the picture. pretty much irreparable stuff.

also - keep in mind that this is a 100 hz set. it might strain your eyes less, but first of all you loose scanlines and the "arcade look" + there is apparently some processing lag due to doubling the refresh rates.

next thing is the physical size. my 29 inch is already A BITCH to tate around, so i cannot imagine turning a 32 inch lg set.

last but not least a widescreen, at least for oldschool consoles + shmups is pretty much useless with most of them being 4:3 which will give you a smaller visible space than a 29" 4:3 set.

[Endymion]

I'm sure he won't have the edge problem with this particular screen. I know exactly what you are talking about with your slim LG, and the non-slim one that I have has none of this issue. It's hard not to notice it on the slim with certain images, or when trying to make out certain details like words, but it does tend to melt away when watching video and 3D games. It's a plague for 2D and text. My take on the whole problem is that this is just something you have to deal with when the tube is so thin. The Lafinion 82W is much deeper, and appears completely identical to my 30FZ4D on the outside. Only the matching stand sets it apart, as mine was never even marketed with one, and on the non-slim LG tube that whole problem is just non-existent.

I'm not sure if the Lafinion 82W is actually a 100Hz set or not, either. If it is, the manual mentions nothing about it, and the models with the (optional) VGA input specifically state 60Hz is supported, so I would suppose it at least supports PAL 60. So that is good, but if you want to use older consoles with a light gun that is probably out, nothing new for being an HDTV. Like I said, if it were within my reach, Kabal might have to firstfight me for it, I like the 30FZ4D that I have that much.

[Kabal2X]

I wish I could post more elaborated answers, but my english stops me from doing so.
Thanks to all of you for your help, I think I will go for it - my biggest problem now its the transport. This most be a real monster!!

I found online the service manual, maybe if you guys take a look at it you will know if it's good or not? I just quickly gave a look but there's nothing I could comprehend from it, sorry.

Will let you know how this turns out