Metz slim CRTs

[andykara2003]

Hi guys, I'm looking at a brand new Metz Spectral progressive scan CRT tv from 2005ish. Does anyone know about these?

I know that at least some slim CRT models from other manufacturers have poor convergence & geometry (particularly widescreen models), but I'm not sure if the Metz models might have overcome that because their CRTs were of a higher quality than most. This is a 72cm/29" 4:3 tube & the TV is only 40cm deep.

Cheers...

[Josh128]

This is a 72cm/29" 4:3 tube & the TV is only 40cm deep.

Cheers...

Wow, thats very impressive for an ED/HD tube. Sorry but I know nothing about them...

[andykara2003]

After looking into it further it seems like there'll always be a compromise with short neck tubes due to the overly wide deflection angle. Focus and convergence suffer at the outer edges of the image. It's a shame as this TV's brand new but there's no point buying it if it's already broken by it's inherent design. I'll be patient - a decent low-use standard Metz will turn up eventually...

[kamiboy]

I wonder how well designed it is compared to B&O TV's. I used to be much more sensitive when it came to factors like geometry and such back in the day but today I value aesthetics pretty high.

[Xyga]

Dunno about the Metz but I remember a 29" Samsung SlimFit that wasn't so bad in the beginning. The thing needed a bit work on geometry and it's true that the picture kind of lacked definition in the corners, the phosphors also weren't as nice and clear as your average Trinitron, naturally.
But it was acceptable, still a 15KHz crt after all, and the reduced cabinet dimensions were actually very nice.

No I believe the biggest problem with all those 'slim tube' sets, and I think across all brands, was the very poor build quality and shitty chassis made with miserable parts.
After maybe just a bit over 5 years of normal use most were showing obvious signs of fatigue and needed quite the early round of servicing.

[andykara2003]

That would probably not apply to the Metz TVs as they have very high standards (those Samsung's had a terrible reputation apparently), but I had wondered about the B&Os Kamiboy. I'm wondering if they used a short-neck tube - I guess they must have done to get that design. I wonder if anyone knows if that's definitely the case? I know the used a Philips tube - I'll find out which one.

[andykara2003]

I just read that the B&O MX6000 used a philips a66eak 71x02 tube - the same that was used in some of the Loewe TVs and others.

This is a 110 degree deflection tube which makes it shorter than the typical 90 degrees:

http://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=641

But I gather the short neck CRTs had an even wider deflection. I don't know what to think. The shortnecks were wider than 110 degrees & in general had a bad reputation for convergence & geometryas a result, but did the superior engineering of the Metz TVs overcome this where others couldn't - or is that just fundamentally impossible due to the laws of physics?

[Xyga]

I believe geometry and convergence can be adjusted to be quite okay on those tubes, if the chassis allows for enough adjustments, but the loss of definition in the 4 corners will remain (pixels look stretched).

Even standard high quality flat tube tvs lose a bit of precision in the corners (my Trinitron Wega is under 8000hrs old and it does).

[kamiboy]

Andy, do you have a picture of that slim Metz? I am curious to see what its design looks like.

I am surprised to hear that Loewe also used Phillips tubes, I guess higher quality Japanese tubes were not a viable option for European luxury CRT TV makers for whatever reason. I must admit I was not too fond of the image quality on my B&O, having just come off of a PVM, but it soon grew on me and I find it very pleasing now.

[andykara2003]

Some of the best Metz TVs look like this:



and



I've noticed some people on here have an opinion that the Philips tubes weren't such good quality, but I'm pretty sure it's a complete misnomer. From my research, at least some of them were considered to be very good indeed by TV enthusiasts & the Loewe and Metz TVs have a very high reputation. Scarthunter & RGB Rob go into how good the Loewes are in depth.

I think the chassis is a very important part of the equation here.

I have a really nice low use 25" 50Hz Loewe E3001 chassis (Philips tube) and a low use 50Hz Sony 25" and the Loewe is every bit as vibrant & sharp as the Sony. The geometry, convergence etc. are excellent too.

These Metz are also progressive scan, which is my reason for buying one - or two ;)

[MKL]

I guess higher quality Japanese tubes were not a viable option for European luxury CRT TV makers for whatever reason.

Your guess couldn't be more wrong. Toshiba tubes have always been very common in European TVs, even the cheaper ones.