Comparing over 10 different CRT Monitors - which one is the best for Retro Gaming?

In this Video we take a look at many different CRT Gaming Monitors from different Brands and with different specs. By comparing the different Tube Technologies (Diamondtron, Trinitron, Shadow Mask) and things like size or Curved vs Flat Screens, we explore the Topic of RetroGaming with them. Although the answer to the question, which CRT Monitor is the best for Retrogaming, is always a personal one, I’m sure you can find some guidance in this Video for future reference!

[melon]

very nice content, definitely subscribing

[twistidclowns]

The best one is the one I found on the side of the road.

[ClaytonCLF]

Ahhh, please, don't tease me like that XD! CRT monitors are impossible to find around my region here in Brazil, and the last one I got is safely stored for future nostalgia!

[SP]

Man this is not a retro gaming room, this is a museum

[saricubra]

My Samsung Syncmaster 955DF (ridiculously ahead of it's time) gem from 2001 can reach 1856x1392 res. Triad size is around 0.2 mm, it's almost a true 1440p equivalent. Aperture Grille monitors are a lot brighter but the dots from the shadow mask gives a painterly look that can't be matched by aperture grille, a perfect natural antialiasing tool for both 2D and 3D games.

The color accuracy of my Samsung is crazy, i watched current high end Samsung OLEDs with HDR and look the same (with the exception of brightness, OLEDs are a lot brighter), including calibrated screens for graphics design.

We need 1440p QD OLEDs around 400 USD.

[POWERMAXUM]

Such a great collection of CRT monitors you have there. Most of them are nearly imposibble to find! I still have my Old Shadow Mask Viewsonic G90F 19 inch that has a LG Philips tube inside.

[pip]

I've had a 2001 Dell E770S for over a year which is a pretty basic 17" with .28mm dot pitch and a shadow mask that goes up to 1280x1024 at 60 Hz. I tend to play newer games at 1280x960 at 70 Hz or 1200x900 at 75 Hz since it's a good balance between legibility and smoothness. For retro games, I like 640x480 at 120 Hz or 1024x768 at 85 Hz. I wish I had a higher spec and size model but it has served me well enough.

[saricubra]

I use a component shader for emulators and another shader for interlacing, then i change the refresh rate and res to 640x480 120Hz. That's your BVM look.

I also have a 32inch Sony Trinitron KV TV from 2002, but it looks a lot worse on games. In fact, my 955DF ruined 1080p digital displays as well, it's ridiculously ahead of it's time.

[crestofhonor]

I use my dad's old Apple Multiple Scan 17 and 20. Both have Sony Trinitron tubes and are curved. I don't really do any retro gaming on it though outside of emulating old console games with CRT shaders. Most of my time with it is either watching modern media or using it for modern gaming

[MrTennisShorts]

From the beginning in the video where you're panning the camera, and just the motion clarity of what you were projecting on the CRT's is so clear and sexy.. my god

[cycleoffire]

I'm looking for the small ~15" apperture CRT, but there is little to no systemic info about what models and brands to look at, as most "top" lists includes only 19-21" monitors. Maybe you now such lists, so I would know which CRTs to look for? Thanks, and great collection btw!

[DecoyBacon]

i want to get upset about the hoarding here but damn if i dont love the content being made from it and the commitment ive seen elsewhere from you to sell a bunch the community when finished. keep em coming bud!

[TheRealOrgaya]

Nice LaCie electronblue “22 right there. My dad gave me his old 19” great crt 🙂

[Adam-jrlx]

I agree. I think 17-19" is the sweet spot. I think Sony makes the best overall sets. You didn't mention other factors like geometry or voltage regulation. The cheapo brands tends to have poor voltage regulation and flat screens have worse geometry. My current preferred monitor is a flat screen Sony 21" G520. It's also possible to convert lower end Sony E series into higher end G versions.

[adamplechaty]

Awesome! Such a collection... Did you Windas your FW? Could be a nice video about how tweakable these trinitrons are.

[ibleminen]

Since you have so many CRT's I would love to hear your thoughts on technologies like LightFrame (Philips), SuperBright (Mitsubishi) and similar technologies that are used to boost the brightness of CRT monitors.

[AccountName-gvie]

Nice Video! Which inche size was standart for gaming from 1992 to 1993?

[jamesgreen]

What model is the CTX CRT you have? Would you recommend it?

[MKR]

got an fw900 for 100€ and even haggled the seller down to 85€, good times in 2013 when nobody cared about CRTs

[arncht]

I had a 21” flat Trinitron in 2002, which was fine for Windows but not ideal for DOS gaming. I bought a 19” version for retro use, but the Trinitron is terrible for VGA resolution. The 17” shadow mask is much closer to my ideal, while the 14” is too small, even though it feels nostalgic to me. I also use an OLED with the OSSC Pro, and I’m leaning toward giving up the CRT. The OLED has much better image quality, and I can use it with my modern setup as well.