Sony MHC-GX450 The Sony Guide to Home Theater - Page 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. ƒ 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. The Sony Guide to Home Theater 19