JVC D-Series CRT Review for Retro Gaming: AV-32D201; AV-32D502; AV36D303

The JVC D-Series looks very different than a WEGA. It's strengths and weaknesses are discussed.
Couple things I forgot to say:
1: The 36D303 has an extra video setting called, "Theater Pro" It looks pretty good but is only accessible from pressing a specific button on the remote. So if you don't have the model specific remote than you probably can't access the Theater Pro video setting.
2: You can access the focus and screen pots on the flyback without taking the shell off. There are slots on the back for easy access.
3: The menu on some D-Series locks out component inputs. You might have to go into the menu and enable component video if you do not get an image over the component input.

0:00 The different model number variants are very similar.
2:36 How sharp is a D-Series? How many TV Lines does it have? How does it compare to a WEGA?
7:31 D-Series Mask Vs WEGA grille.
10:02 Build quality.
12:53 Menu
13:33 Back of the TVs.
15:51 Inside the 502 and 201.
19:41 Curved glass bubble tubes.
22:21 Grid Pattern--inherent geometry issues with all bubble TVs.
23:28 Final thoughts. A 32 inch D-Series weighs less than a 27 inch WEGA.

Here is some info I was pointed to on Redit regarding the different tubes in D-Series tvs.

"... Basically, there's a bunch of people JVC got tubes from, and you can tell what it is by the end of the serial number (usually). Sometimes it'll have a single letter, or a two-letter starting with A (eg. R and AR are the same). Sometimes it's the tube letter followed by several more letters, which are just retailer codes -- so R and RAA are the same.

* R - Thomson
* S - Samsung
* Z - Philips
* G - LG/Orion
* M - Panasonic
* H - Hitachi
* Y - Sharp or Toshiba (A) or Panasonic (M)
* A or X - RCA/Thomson"

In the post he said that the darker tubes have better colors and it sounds like the "M" tubes (Panasonic) and the "R" tubes (Thompson) are prefered. I can neither confirm nor deny this info but there it is.

[low]

Always admired the JVC D-series sets but I think a lot of people don't know about the Toshibas A-series not to be confused with the AF-series (flat). From what I've seen they can be equal or sometimes better than the D-series. Great video btw I like these crt reviews.

[ConnorSeals]

Picked up a 36” black d series for $35 recently. It was in a “vacation house” for all of its life. Original owner said it was rarely used.

Tested it today and HOLLLYYY I hit the jackpot. Geometry is overall decent and I’m pleasantly surprised, 480i Wii/ GC even looks stunning on it

[retroforce]

Gaming on a consumer CRT TV is more nostalgic than gaming on a professional CRT TV. Consumer CRT TV is what we game on back in the day. I play all my retro games on my Sony 32" CRT TV KV-32FS17

[Huddy]

D Series is my personal favorite consumer set

[ngamer]

The reason curved screens are lighter is because they are resisting atmospheric pressure and holding a vacuum inside the tube, and a dished shape is better at holding pressure (think a dam, or rounded pressurized tank). If you make that area flat, it now has to get much thicker to hold up against the same atmospheric pressure.

[kayanel]

I love my Sony FD Wega more than my D-Series but I love the look of the JVC too. I enjoy gaming more when I get to play on different TVs whenever I want to.

[realamericannegro]

I used to have a 32 inch D series with the bubble screen and you are right about that blooming. I thought something was wrong.

[BoxLuxik]

JVC tubes made by LG electronics, it's basically written on red label. Looks like good budget sets. Maybe there were no high end shadow mask sets in us? Grundigs, b&o, some Philipa models and others

[NullyBird]

Great video! I was planning to pick one of these up soon.

[cawaboonga]

@10:57 a genuine laugh for this comment....

[kekethetoad]

It seems like having the slight colour bleed and plenty of glow is important for watching 80's and 90's anime as well? Scenes of Akira, Ninja Scroll, Evangelion, DBZ and even Pokemon S1&2 come to mind. Plenty of other noteworthy examples of course. Having the triangular phosphor arrangement helps to make things feel mpre organic as well which is important I think unless you're a real line work obsessive. It also seems to help with perceived depth a ton. Something about later trinitrons just feels too sterile & processed.

[Snivy]

What you said about the geometry is really interesting and I've never heard it before. Ya, curved tubes have better geometry, but the D-series is so curved that perfect geometry on it still looks wack because of the big bubble

[Tiknuttle]

I'm back. Finally found a 36" d series.

[devinbrines]

The comment about better geometry on the round ones is hilarious and so true lol. Like bro it's inherently curved

[realamericannegro]

I need to get me another D series. I never played on a calibrated one and after seeing how sick a Sanyo 27 inch flat screen look I know D series is insane.

[shattywack]

I looked over to check if my TV was on because I heard the high pitch whine. I didn't think a recording would pick that up tbh

[cornellouis]

The model numbers are like:
AV-[Screen Size]D[trim level]0[Year Made + 1]

The last number in the model number is related to the year the TV was made. You subtract 1 from the last number. D200 is 1999. 505 is 2004, etc. As for trim levels, 200 series was black and premium, it was only made earlier, made in 1999 and 2000. Then the model split into 100, 300, and 500 series, and I think they are all silver. 500 series was premium w/ higher TVL and picture in picture. 100 and 300 was lower. In practice, it doesn't really matter. The 500 series make mario's butt slightly rounder. They all look great. Toward the end of CRTs, I think in 2004, they only made the 300 series.

[jakehughes]

Def check and see which sets have what working service menu adjustments. I’ve been hunting for a d-series that has all 4 of horizontal size, h-position, v size, and v position. I’ve been through 4 different models now and they’re all missing at least one of these. Like not missing, but making adjustments don’t effect the picture.

[Someone]

Funny how their power consumption in much lower than the wega's, at least if you are to believe the stickers. I think the "over" on the s-video input means it takes priority "over" composite if both are connected, at least that's how it works on some Sony's.

[KEN_CHILLER]

Loving the videos. Can you do a video on how you adjust/fix the geometry for one of these D series?