I just got an N64, and was curious what SD TV I should get. I'd prefer using an SD TV, and my HD monitor won't do HDMI pass-through. Would like to stick to the mid 20s, so that it's not too heavy. I hear SonyTrinitrons are good.
But if you don't want to go RGB mod, Trinitrons are great and can be found easily at thrift stores and Goodwills.
The PVMs/BVMs are the best and will be better than a Trinitron. These are professional monitors used for broadcasting. They accept a wide range of inputs from RF to 15KHz VGA on some models. They also support NTSC and PAL along with RGBS (SCART), RGBHV (VGA), and YPbPr Component video. They use BNC jacks so you will need RCA to BNC adapter, a SCART to BNC adapter, and/or a VGA to BNC adapter. They even work with light guns. I highly recommend the RGB mod on your N64 and a N64 RGB SCART cable as it will improve the video quality drastically. Another, more expensive option, is to do the UltraHDMI mod. This will provide the best picture possible out of the N64. Since the process is digital to digital, there is no lag like using analog on an HDTV (only with certain settings in the UltraHDMI menus). If you can't get a PVM, then get a Trinitron and have it modded for RGB input or use a SCART to Component converter. An XRGB Mini Framemeister upscaler is another option but costs over $300.
True that PVMs are great quality monitors. However the CRT are curved glass compared to the Sony WEGA series which have a flat tube. You can't beat the WEGA seris for all the inputs, some with an HD 1080i tube and the huge range of inputs. For a non mod option of your N64, get a SVideo cable. Unlike modern TVs, most Trinitrons have that input. The HD tube displays all SD and HD video from 480i to 1080i crystal clear with no upscale issues.
Woha, what are these PVM/BVMs? They're considerably expensive for CRT... You sure about finding CRTs at thrift stores? I remember Goodwill discontinuing that.
PVMs and BVMs are professional broadcast monitors. They have the best picture quality of any CRT. They accept a wide range of inputs from RF to RGB and some can even do HDMI from what I've heard. They also can do both NTSC and PAL. They are quite popular with retro gaming. You can use them to play games in RGB and they work with light guns. A PVM or a BVM is worth it.
Yuropeen here, so no trouble finding TVs with RGB/Scart inputs. Take it from me: I've been through a lot of screens, and would go for a PVM/BVM any day of the week. Even though they tend to be a bit on the smaller side. wrt 1080: If your gaming system is able to generate 1080i output, it's recent enough for it to be a better fit for an LCD anyways, imho. @MBJ: Not sure if many PVMs actually take RF. At least I think mine doesn't. So you might need sth else for playing Pong. Caveat emptor.
Really? I could have sworn I saw one with an RF input. In that case, an RF demodulator in a VCR should work for that. It'll convert RF back to Composite Video and audio.
PVM/BVMs are definitely quite smaller for the price. What would be too small to use? I wanted at least 20", but maybe that's big enough. I'm not the usual player that needs a massive TV. I primarily game and work off a 24" 1080p monitor. Are there any local stores that I could try that might have PVM/BVMs? I'm not talking like Best Buy. Shipping is pretty expensive due to their weight. I'm out of south east Wisconsin.
I think for now I'm gonna try to get a regular Sony, but keep the PVM in mind for later (as ones I want are $200-300).
That's the right approach. Get something dirt cheap. Doesn't need to be a Sony, although they tend to be the best. Samsung's are okay. Just don't want anything rear-projection or EDTV or HD in any fashion, or light guns won't work. For anything that old system wise, S-Video is fine.
I'll add another good word for Trinitrons. Excellent build quality, and they usually are stocked with inputs. Everyone asks why I still have my 32" Trinitron sitting next to the 70" flatscreen......my usual response......"Cuz that smart Tv is too dumb for all these older consoles"
