The evolution of online gaming has taken giant steps over the past two decades. However, nothing can beat the nostalgia and the gaming experience that CRT TVs offer. Not only do these ancient televisions provide an authentic gaming experience, but they also add a touch of nostalgia and emotional value to your gaming setup.
About CRT TVs
A CRT TV (cathode ray tube television), is a type of television that uses a cathode ray tube to display images on a screen. This technology was widely used before the invention of flat-screen televisions. CRT TVs are known for their distinctive look and unique silhouette.
When it comes to retro gaming, nothing beats the CRTs. These old-school televisions not only offer the perfect visual aesthetics that fit the games of the past, but they also provide a unique experience that the latest televisions cannot produce. With no input lag, you can enjoy your favorite classic games without any issues.
Most importantly, with CRTs, you get to play the games in their original format, which is something that retro gaming enthusiasts always look for.
Before you start playing games on a CRT TV, there are certain criteria to keep in mind.
First, you need to make sure that it is compatible with your retro game consoles or the appropriate emulator you are using. Picture quality and color accuracy are also essential factors to consider when selecting a CRT TV.
In addition, low input lag and fast response time will make your retro gaming experience even better.
Lastly, you may want to check for additional features and connectivity options, such as built-in speaker systems, SCART, and S-Video connectors.
To make your selection process easier, we have gathered a list of the top 10 CRT TVs for retro gaming.
Sony PVM-14M2U
This is by far one of the best CRT TVs still out there. Why? Simple, it’s built with durability in mind. It’s a workhorse that can take a good beating and still provide a top notch experience.
Measuring 14 inches, it had a 13 inch screen, so no matter what you want to play, it will look great on it. It features the Trinitron screen and a top notch resolution of 600 lines. Sure, it’s not a lot for today’s technology, but you don’t need an impressive resolution anyway.
Not only are games well shown, but they’re also quite smooth.
Tuning your favorite games is a piece of cake too. If you can remember those old school gaming TVs with knobs for features, this one's the same. You can fine tune your games without bothering too much about settings. Just mess about with the knobs until you find the perfect image.
Philips Discoverer
Philips Discoverer is another masterpiece. The problem is it’s been made by Philips in a tight collaboration with NASA. In fact, it was released to celebrate the first space launch, in 1981. How’s that a problem? Well, since it’s a collectible, it’s incredibly difficult to find.
And that explains why it also looks like a cosmonaut’s head. Among collectors, this CRT TV is referred to as the space helmet TV. It measures 14 inches and comes with all kinds of controls under the screen, various knobs for different settings.
Back in 1981, it was available for only around $500. At today’s prices, that would be more than $1,600 calculated appropriately with inflation. Then, think about it’s collectible profile. If you do find it for sale, get ready to pay a hefty price for it. You may find it cheaper if it needs repairs, but you’ll need a good old school technician to get it to work.
Sony BVM-9045QD
Sony BVM-9054QD may not be a collectible, but it's a pretty rare find too, especially since it brings in a top notch experience. More importantly, it has more settings than other TVs, and they go into very fine tuning.
The viewable area only measures eight inches. You have 450 lines of resolution, but that’s more than enough for most games. Moreover, you have a wired remote if you want a more convenient operation.
Another good thing about Sony’s CRT TV is the handle on top of it. It’s designed like an old box with a handle on top, so it’s extremely portable. Twin it with the right controller, and you'll have an authentic vintage gaming experience.
Other than that, it’s worth noting that it’s solid and very well put together, so it can easily pass the test of time.
JVC Videosphere
Similar to Philips Discoverer in terms of shape, JVC Videosphere actually looks like a modern upgrade. It’s a round unit that looks like modern cameras, but in a much bigger size. Now, while most people believe it copied other designs, the truth is it came out in the 1970s, so the appearance is original.
In terms of extras, this original helmet TV also has an alarm clock, so it’s extremely convenient. It’s obviously available with a black and white screen, despite the colorful appearance. You have a big dial on top to change frequencies, as well as an antenna and even battery operation for outdoors.
Given its age and popularity, it's also considered a collectible. It won't be easy to find one, and if you do, make sure it works. Parts are even harder to find. Unlike other CRT TVs, there’s not too much room for improvisation, as you can’t use parts from other designs.
Ikegami HTM
Compared to some of the above mentioned models, Ikegami HTM is a bit more modern. It came out in the 1980s and features 900 horizontal lines, so it offers great clarity for retro games. It can go up to 1080i and can work in both PAL and NTSC modes.
Since it's a bit more modern, it's obviously easier to find in commerce. You won't find it in stores, though. Instead, you'll have to find collectors, check out pawnshops or auction websites.
Settings are clearly more diversified on this unit. All controls are located under the screen, giving you the option to plug various devices in or fine tune each game in the smallest details. The adjustable chroma makes the difference, but the optimum white balance is what makes the image stand out.
Toshiba AF
Toshiba AF is a retro CRT TV, but with the capabilities of a modern screen. Unlike other CRT TVs for retro fans, this one has an impressive 20 inch screen. It’s clearly bulky and large, but it makes a good addition to any games room, especially if you have a bit of a gap there.
The size makes the unit just as heavy too. It’s not the type anyone can move anywhere. In fact, you may need two people to lift this chunky piece of technology.
Now, the screen comes with a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is ideal. After all, pretty much every retro game looks terrible on a widescreen. Given the ration, you won’t need to see those ugly black empty sides. The maximum resolution comes to 480i, while the refresh rate jumps to 60Hz.
To make it even better, Toshiba has put on a nice set of powerful speakers as well. And since it’s a bit more modern, it’s not considered a collectible, so it won’t cost a fortune either.
Sony Hi Scan
Sony Hi Scan couldn't be missed from this collection either. In terms of appearance, it looks a bit too modern, indeed. In fact, it looks like TVs from early 2000s, but that's still pretty retro. Besides, it has that bulk that puts it in the retro category.
Now, the best part about its modern appearance is the capability to feature some modern technologies too. No matter what games you’re into, from Wii to NES, chances are this CRT TV will give you a crystal clear image. After all, it’s part of a solid HD Ready CRT set.
It comes in more models. You can find the classic 4:3 aspect ratio, but 16:9 is just as common. It depends on your setup and games. The picture quality isn’t the only thing that won’t disappoint. The sound is always great. After all, Sony has never disappointed there.
JVC D-Series
700 lines of classic resolution, great sound, a big screen and great connectivity, that’s pretty much what you should expect from JVC D-Series. When you look at it, it looks like those classic TVs from the early 2000s, the style everyone’s had at some point.
You can find it in more sizes, but the 32 inch screen is by far the most common one on the market. Most games will look great on it, mainly because of the 4:3 resolution.
Now, you probably wonder what’s with the D-Series. All CRT TVs in this line came with an input for DVD players, offering excellent connectivity. They also came with the Digital 2 Line Comb Filter, hence the name.
Adjustability is doable through a series of buttons, rather than the old fashioned knobs. It’s still old school and worth the retro experience.
JVC TM-1650SU
Boosting 550 lines of horizontal resolution, JVC TM-1650SU is somewhere in the middle among CRT TVs for retro games. But then, there’s one thing that makes it a bit better than the competition. It has a RGB input that will work with pretty much any retro console you can think of.
It has a wired remote, an old school feature that you’re less likely to use, but it’s nice to have. In terms of functionality, it works with both NTSC and PAL systems. Every single setting can be accessed through a menu on the screen. This concept was a hit back in the day, when most other TVs used knobs.
As for the screen, you have 16 inches, which is quite something for retro games. The TV is solid and sturdy and offers an excellent and cheaper alternative to Sony classics. However, it’s not that easy to find in commerce.
Sony 40XBR800
Sony 40XBR800 stands out with its appearance. It’s not the type of CRT TV you can put on a table or a stand. Instead, it requires quite a lot of space because it comes with its own stand. It’s a massive unit that also features a couple of shelves underneath, so you can store your retro consoles and games.
Measuring 40 inches, it’s one of the biggest retro CRT TVs out there. It has the classic 4:3 appearance, but it can also offer a 16:9 enhanced viewing mode. It’s not a big difference, but back then, it was a posh feature to have.
Picture quality will pleasantly surprise you and can even compete against some relatively modern units. As for the remote, it has buttons that glow in the dark.
Given all the features and extras coming with it, the 40XBR800 model is likely to cost more than some new TVs, if you can actually find it for sale.
Final words
Retro games are still popular, and with the right CRT TV, you can revive that vintage gaming experience in the comfort of your home. From picture quality to color accuracy, input lag, and sound quality, we have covered everything you need to know for choosing the right CRT TV for your retro gaming setup. We hope you can easily find the ideal option according to your requirements from this list.