Author Topic: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV  (Read 2278 times)

SamIAm

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #45 on: January 12, 2015, 01:01:22 PM »
Nice work!

What do American CRT Sony Wegas have in the way of inputs? I assume the usual composite/s-video/component, but do they have anything else? DVI?

In Japan, I've been trying to get Wegas exclusively because they have an analogue RGB input. One of these days, I'll make a thread about my adventures. I have four 29 inch CRTs in one room right now, and it's madness. Beautiful madness.

Dicer

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #46 on: January 12, 2015, 03:00:01 PM »
RF/Composite/S-vid/Component is all I have ever seen on Trinitron/Wega US models.


DragonmasterDan

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #47 on: January 12, 2015, 11:23:57 PM »
RF/Composite/S-vid/Component is all I have ever seen on Trinitron/Wega US models.



I've seen DVI and even HDMI on CRT Trinitron/WEGA's.
--DragonmasterDan

SamIAm

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #48 on: January 26, 2015, 02:46:36 PM »
I think I have enough now.



Also, there's this one.



------------------------

In case anyone wants to know about some Japanese CRTs, I'll write up a little bit about them.

After reading Japanese reviews and testing for myself, I have come to believe that the Sony KV-29DX650, which went on sale in mid-2003, is possibly the best consumer-level 4:3 gaming TV ever made in any region.

It's an HD-CRT, so there are no scanlines, but the analog RGB input has zero input lag and nothing in the way of pseudo-interlace scroll-fuzziness that you sometimes see on HD-CRTs doing 240p. The colors are awesome, the sharpness is crisp and clean without being too harsh, and the picture is super-consistent across the screen. I think there's a 25 inch version, but nothing greater than 29 unless you go for a widescreen set. I can post some pics of it in action later if anyone is interested.

I tried to buy another one to keep as backup, but due to scarcity I settled on a KV-29DX550. It's almost identical, though ever-so-slightly less sharp in some circumstances. It was also the first of either model to turn up on Yahoo Auctions in about six months. I'm telling you guys, this day will come to America as well. Like I said, two/three years ago, both models turned up practically every week.

Speaking of which, if I ever move back to America, I'll probably get a big-ass shipping crate at least in part for the purpose of getting these back.

And for the scanline obsessed, there's the Sony KV-29DS65, also from 2003, which is Sony's last true standard-definition set (240p/480i only, no 480p). I've got two of these, but one is kind of burnt out, so I'm trying to get rid of it. The RGB inputs on these forces certain color settings and doesn't look so great, so component is actually the way to go. The corners are a bit fuzzy as well. This model might lose to some of the better SD sets from manufacturers like Sharp, Toshiba or Panasonic.

You can forget about finding any Korean TVs here, by the way. Japanese people are hyper nationalistic about buying domestic brands...even when they were manufactured in China or Malaysia.

Anyway, scanlines don't matter much to me, so I am happy to use the HD sets pretty much all the time.

Finally, for tate shooters, the Toshiba 29ZP47 is pretty sweet. It's another 29 inch set from 2004. Many TVs, like all those Sonys, don't have the kind of case-construction that will let you turn them on their sides. This one, however, stands on its side all by itself and is fairly stable.  It's also 480p compatible, which is great for all the 360 shooter ports.

I would actually like to get one more of these for storage. However, if another TV shows up at my door, I am afraid my girlfriend will strangle me with the power cord.

esteban

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #49 on: January 26, 2015, 09:31:21 PM »
Damn. Damn. Damn.
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ifkz

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #50 on: September 23, 2015, 10:06:34 AM »
More coming in and more going out.

Out:
1. The Montgomery Ward was very large and coax only.  The wood grain helped but in the end it had to go (-$10) and the tube looked a bit weak.  I still have one great early 80's TV left:  a dual dial based 13 inch RCA.  One is enough.
2.  The Samsung was entirely too large for the space and nothing would fit correctly on the desk afterwards.  Lesson learned (-$25).  It also had a color issue in the left-center of the tube, like permanent magnetization I could not remove.

In:
1.  A freebie curbside 19 inch tube TV with a built-in DVD player and VCR ($0).  The picture on this one looks fantastic.
2.  A Sharp 19 inch flat tube TV ($10) that replaced the Samsung.  Much better picture and a ton of inputs to boot.  The decals have a 90's aesthetic: "X-treme Flat" written in an edgy graffiti like font.
3.  A tiny-tiny LCD TV only 8 inches and cheap ($8).  The adapter I found for it is only half the rated amps, so it might burn out or catch fire!  Still, it is just a novelty that I only keep powered when I am in the same room.  A former Walgreens Black Friday special according to Google searches.

I think I have affected prices in my area.  Now the tube TVs at my local Goodwill(s) have gone up to $20 and $25...way too much.  I am pretty happy with my group now, as long as I do not see the same sets on the "Hoarders" TV show, I am good.
« Last Edit: September 23, 2015, 10:09:19 AM by ifkz »
THANKS TO ALL PCEfx members who have helped fix my hardware and add to my games library!  What a thrill!

DragonmasterDan

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #51 on: September 23, 2015, 10:18:10 AM »


I think I have affected prices in my area.  Now the tube TVs at my local Goodwill(s) have gone up to $20 and $25...way too much.  I am pretty happy with my group now, as long as I do not see the same sets on the "Hoarders" TV show, I am good.

The ones near me have mostly quit taking them. So consider yourself fortunate.
--DragonmasterDan

ifkz

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #52 on: September 23, 2015, 10:32:25 AM »
Yep, I have also heard that from forums and relatives in different states.  This is partially what is motivating me to get better sets while they are available.

There are also other uses for tube TVs; in the arcade world new monitors were discontinued several years ago, some have turned to thrift store 19 inch tube TVs for tube swaps to help the look of restored games.  (I prefer good colors and a sharp image with some burn in but everyone is different)
THANKS TO ALL PCEfx members who have helped fix my hardware and add to my games library!  What a thrill!

toymachine78

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #53 on: September 23, 2015, 11:44:06 AM »
In my area TVs at good will are pretty damn expensive. 20-40$ for a 20+ in.

Craigslist is the way to go here. I got a 27in JVC with svideo and component inputs for $5. Many people list them in the for free section.

This might be gross but when u buy a TV, and other electronics for that matter, open them up before bringing them into your home. There are some nasty mofos out there and you don't want to smuggle roach eggs into the hizzle.

Lost Monkey

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #54 on: September 23, 2015, 01:08:46 PM »
Around 2k7 a local furniture place bought up an order of hotel room tv's that were made by LG and sold under the Zenith brand.  They were 27" flat fronted CRT's with a special cable that accepts an 800X600 VGA signal, in addition to composite, S-VHS, component and coax. 

I saw visions of MAME machines so I bought 2 of them for projects.   1 is currently in an unfinished, scratch built MAME cabinet and the other has recently been set up with an old school TV stand for some glorious 90's style gaming...


turboswimbz

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #55 on: September 23, 2015, 01:22:42 PM »
Like Dan, We sadly have no more tube TV's around here. what little CRT's that go to goodwill or the donatonation bins go to the recycling center and are sold off for scrape.  Occasionaly you an find a few random one's around 20 bucks or free, but they are far and few between. I just need to get my PVM up and running now - if only I could find a spot for it.

Some neat pick ups though.  enjoyed the read for sure.
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xelement5x

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #56 on: September 23, 2015, 03:58:51 PM »
More recently (last several months) I upgraded to a 27" flat tube Trinitron from Craigslist for about $15, guy was moving and it worked out for me.  Some damage to the trim but the tube itself is crisp and clear.  It has component, Svid, and composite on it, plus I used the service menu to tweak it a bit and it plays nice with a lot of stuff. 

Had to ditch my old Samsung that I loved but it went to a good home I think. No luck at thrifts anymore either, everyone is turning away CRTs so CL was the only option.
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johnnykonami

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #57 on: September 23, 2015, 04:42:08 PM »
I had to give up a pretty nice, huge CRT last time I moved.  It was too heavy to deal with at the time.  I want to get a nice PVM of some kind for my next monitor.

wilykat

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #58 on: September 24, 2015, 03:31:51 PM »
I often see free TVs by the road side because no charity shop will take it and trash collector can't take it either.

I almost had a free 32" Wega but when I got to it on the road side, the glass was all smashed in.  Probably a prank by people walking by.

Right now I have a tiny 9" color CRT with A/V input to use as testing modded systems, a 13" with RF only as spare (may throw it out when i get better), a Commodore 13" RGB monitor (was almost free and works fine).  I do plan to get a PVM to replace that Commodore monitor.

thesteve

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Re: Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV
« Reply #59 on: September 24, 2015, 05:18:35 PM »
i have picked up a few 32" wega roadside