What’s On The Tube: Cathode-Ray Tube TVs vs. Flat Screen

If you’re looking to save money on an TV, you might look into buying a tube, or “direct view,” TV. Many companies now make these “old school” TVs digital and HDTV compatible.

We call these sets “tubes” because they use cathode-ray tubes that focus electrons to create the light images you see. Did you ever wonder why TV was called “the tube?” Tubes are the “old school” design for TVs, and they are used in radars, computer screens and oscilloscopes.

Flat screens are nice and convenient, and in many ways offer a better picture than tube TVs, but tubes are great in smaller screen TVs. For a big screen picture, you need the flat screen, but tubes are better for a smaller set.

In particular, tubes give the picture’s black a realistic shade. If you look closely at the shadows and other black images on your flat screen TV, you’ll notice that it’s actually more of a dark grey. If you have a chance to compare side by side a flat screen and a tube TV, you’ll really see it. Tube TVs have a much truer, deeper and more natural black.

Depending on the make and model of the TV, tube TVs often have deeper colors. Of course it depends on the brand; a cheapo TV is a cheapo TV. But, with a good tube TV, you’ll see richer, more natural colors. They just can’t deliver as much detail as flat screen TVs.

Tube TVs can only be made to about 36 inches diagonally. Any more than that and the picture quality starts to get bad. For a giant screen, flat screen models are much better.

Another advantage of tube TVs is that the picture looks good from any angle. With a flat-screen, as you move around the room, the image starts to look unnatural. The good ol’ tube TVs look good from anywhere.

One of the big disadvantages of tube TVs is that they are heavy and bulky. Those CRT tubes are not light. For a 36-inch set, you might need a few people to move that thing around. Even a small unit that looks like it would be a piece of cake to lift might surprise you.

Some companies are working on improving the old tube set, and one of the things they’re working on is building them with thinner tubes. This will make it lighter and easier, but tube TVs still can’t be any less than about 16 inches deep. One of the great things about flat-screen TVs is that you can put them virtually anywhere in the room.

Although they now make digital tube TVs, which can be used with HDTV systems, they still haven’t made many tube TVs that are PC-compatible. If that’s a feature you want, check online to find a model that is.

If you’re looking for a good picture and you’re not picky about having a giant TV, a tube TV might be a good choice. Just make sure that it’s digital, so that you can use it with your HDTV system. And, you’ll save some money as well.