CNN/Money 
Technology > Personal Tech
graphic
Save a link to this article and return to it at www.savethis.comSave a link to this article and return to it at www.savethis.com  Email a link to this articleEmail a link to this article  Printer-friendly version of this articlePrinter-friendly version of this article  View a list of the most popular articles on our siteView a list of the most popular articles on our site  

Big screen: Glass tube TVs
The bulkiest of the big screens, but the cheapest. High-definition models offer the best picture.
April 20, 2004: 2:01 PM EDT
By Ted C. Fishman, Money Magazine

NEW YORK (Money Magazine) - Even with the arrival of sexy new flat-panel televisions, there are excellent reasons for sticking to glass-tube TVs -- the kind still built around cathode-ray technology.

What's more, the buzz for flat-panel monitors is pressuring prices of tube TVs, so that this year's models cost less than half of what comparable ones sold for a couple of years ago.

Samsung TXP3075WHD  
Samsung TXP3075WHD

These sets look and feel ancient when it comes to size and weight. The 30-inch (measured diagonally, as all TV screens are) Samsung TXP3075WHD is one dense box. But as with many other late-model glass-tube TVs, it is state of the art, delivering the best, brightest and warmest picture on the market.

Big Screen TVs
graphic
• Glass tube: The bargain box
• Rear projection: Family room theater
• LCD flat-panel: Entertainment hub
• Plasma screen: Movie lovers paradise

This set rings in at $999 and comes with many easily accessible connections, so you don't have to reach in the back every time you want to plug in a digital photo or video camera. It also comes with an HD tuner -- so you won't need a set-top box to get HD signals -- and its girth allows for superb built-in speakers.

About glass-tube TVs

They come in two shapes, or aspect ratios. Avoid squarish standard models, called 4:3 sets, which are built for traditional television programming. We recommend going with a 16:9 wide-screen set that will showcase DVDs and the growing number of HDTV broadcasts to come.

Also knows as "direct view TVs," wide-screen glass-tube TVs that are HDTV-ready produce the best picture in all of TV Land and have proven technology that is reliable and long lasting. But these sets max out at a screen size of 34 inches (Sony's $2,500 XBR FD).

Wide-screen models can be heavy -- more than 120 pounds on average. Some models require you to heave the TV away from the wall to reach in the back to swap components. Look for those that have front connections for easy access to plug in a digital camera or camcorder.  Top of page


Save a link to this article and return to it at www.savethis.comSave a link to this article and return to it at www.savethis.com  Email a link to this articleEmail a link to this article  Printer-friendly version of this articlePrinter-friendly version of this article  View a list of the most popular articles on our siteView a list of the most popular articles on our site  

  More on TECHNOLOGY
•Honda teams up with GM on self-driving cars
•The internet industry is suing California over its net neutrality law
•Bumble to expand to India with the help of actress Priyanka Chopra
  TODAY'S TOP STORIES
•7 things to know before the bell
•SoftBank and Toyota want driverless cars to change the world
•Aston Martin falls 5% in its London IPO




graphic graphic

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.