[twobells]

re: SAMSUNG WS32Z308P

http://audiovisual.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/...96/127401.html

http://www.samsung.com/uk/products/t...Specifications

I've been looking for a HD CRT TV but although they are available pretty much everywhere BUT UK/EU Samsung have just brought out this model.

I am trying to get my head around exactly what resolution it does display at.

Can I:

1: play xbox 360 in HD?
2: can I watch US hd tv shows [xvids]
3: watch the new Sky Service HD +
4: carry on watching sky digital at the moment.

I assume I'd use a component cable?


many thanks in advance


tb

[clockworks999]

It doesn't have an HDMI or DVI input, which will limit what you can connect.

Although the specs say it will accept a 1080i input, it will most likely scale it down, probably by dropping alternate frames. It won't do 720p.

It's not really an HD TV at all, from what I can see.

The worst thing is that it's a slimline tube. These tubes have very poor geometry - best avoided.

[twobells]

Originally Posted by clockworks999

It doesn't have an HDMI or DVI input, which will limit what you can connect.

Although the specs say it will accept a 1080i input, it will most likely scale it down, probably by dropping alternate frames. It won't do 720p.

It's not really an HD TV at all, from what I can see.

The worst thing is that it's a slimline tube. These tubes have very poor geometry - best avoided.

Thanks for the input, I'll take your advice and wait for SED or a traditional crt hd tv.

[Rolnikov]

I came very close to getting one of those, but when you look into it the progressive model seems to be hardly available any more. Currys only have the non-progressive version, so if anyone does fancy it, watch out for that.

There's a long thread on avforums about the terrible problems people had with the geometry - the picture curls up at the corners. One poster said that's why you can't find it in the shops now - they've all been returned as faulty.

[partridge]

Why do you want a CRT anyway? I've an Hitachi LD7200, it's fantastic, freeview looks great, frankly everything I connect to it looks great!

[Mark200]

I think it's because CRTs give the best picture quality and are cheap.

[Farsley Man]

I seem to remember reading a review a few months ago where there seemed to be very serious geometry problems with that CRT. All credit to Samsung for trying though.

[Jarrak]

Originally Posted by Farsley Man

I seem to remember reading a review a few months ago where there seemed to be very serious geometry problems with that CRT. All credit to Samsung for trying though.

Yep, it's a bit of a false hood to assume that a CRT will automatically give you a better picture across all sources.
CRT has it's own problems with convergence and geometry and even a CRT can not compensate for a poor digital source.

[partridge]

CRT gives the best picture? Sorry, from personal experience, I disagree. I've replaced an award winning CRT, bought only 4 years ago, with an LCD that does it all. I consider myself picky, but I can't fault the freeview picture on this LCD.

[Farsley Man]

Originally Posted by partridge

CRT gives the best picture? Sorry, from personal experience, I disagree. I've replaced an award winning CRT, bought only 4 years ago, with an LCD that does it all. I consider myself picky, but I can't fault the freeview picture on this LCD.

I have done exactly the same (replaced top notch CRT with LCD) and I find the LCD pic sharper and clearer than the 100hz CRT picture. The 50hz option on the CRT was sharper but the shimmering on 50hz sets gives me a headache.

[Farsley Man]

Here's a link to a thread on AVForums about the Samsung:

Thread

[Mark200]

Comparison with CRTs depends on the CRT.
I think it is shame that Sony does not offer its 34" CRT (offered in the USA) here. With horizontal line resolution of 1400 lines, ther picture quality is supposed to be stunning. I don't think that LCDs match the black levels or natural colour of the best CRTs. However, they are the future and will improve over time. I accept that they do provide excellent sharpness and geometry.

[call100]

That Samsung 308 is very bad in the geometry department. I owned one for two months before changing it to an LCD (also Samsung) and the quality is unbeatable.
The Sammy CRT also suffered from very bad pixilation on DTT and Sky signals.......
CRT is Dead. Long live anything else!!!!

[T183]

The best crt HD TVs for sale are the Sonys. Even the base Sony crt HD TVs are a night and day difference to the Samsung mentioned. I wouldn't even consider it capable of actually displaying HD resolution. Any current HD LCD display will easily outperform it in resolution.

Those Sonys though look like they will be the last to be made. Already they are surpased in overall quality by your better LCDs.