are rear projection tvs any good anymore?

[craig7]

My computer monitor is dying so I'm gonna replace it with a larger tv and I have seen some projection tvs with hdmi for like $60 in kijiji. I'm thinking of getting like a 40-50 inch one. I'm gonna use it with my computer and it seems like most of them are 1080i and I'm not sure if that will be good enough for gaming. So are they any good?

 

[lsiberian]

My computer monitor is dying so I'm gonna replace it with a larger tv and I have seen some projection tvs with hdmi for like $60 in kijiji. I'm thinking of getting like a 40-50 inch one. I'm gonna use it with my computer and it seems like most of them are 1080i and I'm not sure if that will be good enough for gaming. So are they any good?

60 bucks sounds like a scam to me. The lamps are more than that.

The HDTVs can be very nice, but they are also old and often need new color wheels and lamps which are 100s of dollars.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Likewise, there are very few which are truly 1080i unless they are CRT. Also, very few CRT displays could accept computer signals, but strictly TV signals in the 1080i, 480p, and 480i formats.

So, you want to check the actual make/model against the specifications for the display and/or ask here about the exact make model. You want to read reviews, and you probably just want to avoid anything that is $60.

You can find VGA type monitors all the time as giveaways on Craigslist and they are free - which makes the price right. Save up, get a decent LCD monitor in the future when budget allows if you need something right now. But, I would pretty strongly recommend taking the cheap road on this.

 

[craig7]

JVC AV-48WP30 I'Art Pro 48-Inch Widescreen HDTV-Ready Rear-Projection TV , Silver:Amazon:Electronics
I can get one of these for 80. I have a 27" jvc iart crt tv in my basement and it is pretty good. Better than most crt tvs. And it has dvi input :O

Also would a true 1080i tv be sharp enough for use as a monitor?

 

[craig7]

this is a better link but same tv Amazon.com: JVC AV-48WP30 I'Art Pro 48-Inch Widescreen HDTV-Ready Rear-Projection TV , Silver: Electronics
one more question too, since its a crt tv, will it be affected by having my sansui's right next to it? im thinking that could be a pretty big problem

 

[jamie2112]

bought 2 on craigslist over the last 3 years , replaced a bulb for $75 and I paid 100 for the toshiba and its a 60" ...they are just fine if they are not in a bright room .......

 

[j_garcia]

Anymore? They never were... Depends on the TV. I've seen some decent looking quality RPTVs, but in general, not a fan of them.

 

[Hi Ho]

The set Craig7 is linking too is NOT a modern DLP or LCD rear projection set. It is a CRT set. These sets are heavy, bulky, and complex units.

Craig, you are likely to be disappointed with the lack of sharpness you will get from a rear projection CRT based display such as that. They do not work well as a PC monitor and they are not very reliable. You can expect to repair the convergence section at least once in the life of the set. If this is a used set then the tubes are probably worn and the colors often shift towards red. The image sharpness also drops off as the tubes wear.

I do not believe that a TV like that would be an upgrade from your current monitor despite the larger size.

 

[markw]

I think I read somewhere they just stopped making them.

I did. Here's the article.

 

[craig7]

im not really trying to upgrade... im just trying to at least replace my monitor since its probably gonna hold up for a few more days

 

[markw]

Think about this.

Would they be getting rid of a nice, big screen TV dirt cheap if it was any good? They just want someone to haul it out of their living room by someone who thinks they are getting a bargain and get paid for it as a bonus.

Do yourself a favor: Look at it in action before buying it.

Buy, hey, it's your call.

 

[craig7]

well, im not gonna buy a tv without watching it first for a bit

 

[BMXTRIX]

I think I read somewhere they just stopped making them.

I did. Here's the article.

No, that's for DLP...

Rear projection CRT has been off the market for years now. Any issues with them will have zero support and you likely aren't giong to get a compatible PC signal out of the computer which will work with the TV which has been linked to.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I wouldn't buy it as a replacement, I wouldn't buy it at all. I just couldn't recommend a TV that is out of production for about 10 years as worth spending one penny on.

These RPTVs are GIVEN away on Craigslist all the time. Why not get a CRT monitor that someone is giving away and just save your cash? I'm really at a loss here rigth now as it seems like you want to throw your money away.

That said, if you've got no problem losing 80 bucks or so, then it WILL be a decent TV. It's just NOT a computer monitor. Keep in mind this thing will weigh a couple hundred pounts and is about two feet deep.

I would think right after Christmas you may see some cheap LCDs show up on Craigslist/eBay as people are given upgrades over the holidays.

 

[craig7]

the problem with crt monitors is that they arent big enough and the magnets from my speakers would mess them up pretty much the second they get in my room, i had a 21" crt monitor a while ago but i had to get rid of it because the magnets from my speakers were affecting it even from about 2 feet away.

i am gonna try and sell my monitor for $150 because all it really needs is new capacitors (i think) and hopefully ill get maybe $100 for christmas and i have seen some decent lcd's on Kijiji for $200-250 so i guess that's what ill do

 

[zilla]

the problem with crt monitors is that they arent big enough and the magnets from my speakers would mess them up pretty much the second they get in my room, i had a 21" crt monitor a while ago but i had to get rid of it because the magnets from my speakers were affecting it even from about 2 feet away.

i am gonna try and sell my monitor for $150 because all it really needs is new capacitors (i think) and hopefully ill get maybe $100 for christmas and i have seen some decent lcd's on Kijiji for $200-250 so i guess that's what ill do

You're hoping to get $100 for a monitor that doesn't work?

But yeah, regardless. Don't use a rear projection tv as a monitor. It'd be awful if it even worked at all.

 

[craig7]

no, im hoping to get $150 for a monitor that works, but needs a minor and cheap repair.

 

[markw]

Good luck.

no, im hoping to get $150 for a monitor that works, but needs a minor and cheap repair.

Dunno what prices are there but for about $150 or so you can get brand new, guaranteed, 21" monitors here.

Sounds like you're gonna do what you want to do in spite of everyones good advice, so why should we bother?

Markw out.

 

[craig7]

yeah but my monitor is a 25" and was $300 brand new. im looking at lcd's now and on kijiji there a few okay looking ones but they dont include a model so i cant really check the specs on them. one that does interest me is a 42" rca lcd, 2 years old 1080p for $100 but thre is a section of pixels about 2" wide on the left side that are brighter than the rest. the thing is, i can afford that one without selling my monitor so i could keep my current monitor and fix it, and than use the 42" one as a secondary monitor for gaming/netflix. i could have my current monitor sitting on my sub, right next to my bed and then new one would be where my monitor currently is.
a 25" screen is small where i have it right now, but on my sub i would be closer to it.

so that monitor will be replaced by a 42"

and that pile of crap on my sub will be replaced by my current monitor, that i would attempt to fix

it doesnt seem like ill be able to find a decent 32-42" lcd in my price range
but i will keep looking for something better at least until the end of the year

 

[craig7]

Sounds like you're gonna do what you want to do in spite of everyones good advice, so why should we bother?

Markw out.

i dont see what you mean, im not looking at rear projection tv's anymore... well... i am but i close the ads as soon as i read the words "rear projection"