Walk into a Goodwill, walk out with a TV

[ifkz]

I think I might have a bit of a problem.

It seems every time I go into a Goodwill thrift store I end up walking out with a TV of some sort.  Recently I found a 20 inch flat tube TV that was a way better set than the other 'cable ready' set I was stockpiling.  Then, the month after I found a vintage 1984 13 inch color tv with 70's style dials that I had to have.

This past Friday was the last straw.  I walked out with a 42 inch plasma flatscreen that does 1080i because I wanted to play Fallout 3 on a screen that is the size of a door.  It greatly overpowers the room, but, right now it is absolutely incredible.  $70 out the door, the price of a new game (kinda).  I could not say no.

Now I have a self-imposed ban from all Goodwills.  The guilt from buying the set forced me to clean the room up for it's intended purpose as a guest room.  Still, a 42 inch set in an 11ft x 12ft room is a bit much.  It's a lot much...

So, am I nuts here?

My next project may be an s-video mod for my Turbo Duo.  The prior owner already left me the hole in the case    Gate of Thunder at 42 inches?

[BlueBMW]

You are nuts, but most of us are.   At the moment Im residing in an 11x12ft room using a 56" hdtv, a 29" pvm and a 20" conventional crt... Its a little much but meh!

[toktogul]

im here, sitting with a 10" ich ish tv .... cant wait to be back home and buy a huge one!

The plasma tv + a s video mod sounds amazing! pics once u have it set it up please ;) i want ideas!

[xcrement5x]

You are lucky, most of the thrifts near me have stop accepting any tube TVs so my source for upgrades has run dry.  I used to occasionally upgrade my set from there when they got a better set in and I'd re-donate the old one.  Right now I've got a nice 27" Samsung that does a great job with SD inputs, but I was hoping I could find an older Trinitron eventually

[Sadler]

You are lucky, most of the thrifts near me have stop accepting any tube TVs so my source for upgrades has run dry.  I used to occasionally upgrade my set from there when they got a better set in and I'd re-donate the old one.  Right now I've got a nice 27" Samsung that does a great job with SD inputs, but I was hoping I could find an older Trinitron eventually

I'm not sure if there are Savers down your way, but they seem to still have CRTs up here.

[TheClash603]

No more CRTs at the ones near me either.  Craigslist is where I got my Trinitron for $50 a few years ago and I am guessing this will be my CRT until it blows...

then sadness.

[csgx1]

You are lucky, most of the thrifts near me have stop accepting any tube TVs so my source for upgrades has run dry.  I used to occasionally upgrade my set from there when they got a better set in and I'd re-donate the old one.  Right now I've got a nice 27" Samsung that does a great job with SD inputs, but I was hoping I could find an older Trinitron eventually

I'm not sure if there are Savers down your way, but they seem to still have CRTs up here.

The local Savers near me also seems to have a good variety (brand & size) of CRTs for like $7-$15.

[ifkz]

pics once u have it set it up please ;) i want ideas!

Here you go, research says it was an entry level plasma back in the day; only $3000 new.  These Gateways were not well received, most have died at this point.  So, it's a survivor.  No HDMI, but it has a DVI port; I bought a $5 HDMI adapter but it still won't work with the PS3 (something about "locked" content).  But, for the price of a new game, I could not say no.  Looks like it has the lightest of light burn in on the upper right, only visible during absolutely pure white.  I can't be unhappy with it.  My 'it-won't-die-Gamestop-refurb' PS3 runs it on component.  Not as terrible as I thought.

Thanks to everyone that has replied so far, it helps to be in a like-minded crew.  OBEY is off to the right.  Its drive is on order, once it is operational I may post a completed picture with this massive set.  Gate of Thunder using composite?

[toktogul]

thanks for sharing! too bad that there is no hdmi. but thats a cool looking setup! jelly!

[Medic_wheat]

Nice!  I too would like to play Fallout on a tv the size of a door one day


I was at a goodwill a few months back while at my home town and I was tempted to buy an old 50s black and white tv because I love vintage.....but they had it prices at $99 and it was a "tiny" tv. So I passed...


Of course it is no longer there when I went back two weeks ago...sigh....

[ifkz]

Nice!  I too would like to play Fallout on a tv the size of a door one day


I was at a goodwill a few months back while at my home town and I was tempted to buy an old 50s black and white tv because I love vintage.....but they had it prices at $99 and it was a "tiny" tv. So I passed...


Of course it is no longer there when I went back two weeks ago...sigh....

What you described was what was going through my head, worst case, when I saw my 1984 made 13 inch TV.  I had not seen the dial style in years, and even when I did all of them were black and white sets.  But I saw the price tag, paid quickly, and got the heck out of the store.  I did that with this 42 in TV too.  I guess that's the normal thing to do upon finding a great deal:  pay and run!

What would be neat to find one day:  the 70's JVC VideoSphere.  It looks as iconic as the Philco's Predicta sets from the 50's.

I've been spending a lot of time with the THX Optimizer on the Star Wars DVDs (usually under options).  It has already helped out the picture a lot; if anyone likes to tweak image settings as much as I do, it is a great too.  This 42 inch set hates blacks, they tend to devour everything.

I am making good progress in Fallout 3 on this set, next up:  Fallout New Vegas on a TV the size of a door 

[jeffhlewis]

Before this year's MGC we were doing warehouse cleaning/inventory for the show and discovered 2-3 dead CRTs...so we went Goodwill hopping and hit the jackpot west of Milwaukee - I think we bought about 8 CRTs for $30 total (they're pretty much just liquidating the things).

But yeah - it's getting REALLY hard to find them anymore. I think most thrifts stopped putting them on the showroom floor since the digital switchover. Every once in a while you find a couple but not like in previous years.

I'm going to continue stockpiling them though since I finally have the storage space to do so. Might as well give them a good home.

[jeffhlewis]

Oh - and while we're on the topic - the last time I dropped some yard waste off at the Milwaukee city dump, they had an entire SHIPPING CONTAINER full of CRTs. I saw a broken Gateway 32" VGA/CRT in there. I almost went berzerk.

[Medic_wheat]

Oh - and while we're on the topic - the last time I dropped some yard waste off at the Milwaukee city dump, they had an entire SHIPPING CONTAINER full of CRTs. I saw a broken Gateway 32" VGA/CRT in there. I almost went berzerk.

I know.  I still find crts at flea markets and goodwills around here but I'll be honest...


Typically

A). The thing is to heavy for me to lift

B). It litterly won't fit in my car due to the "bubble butt" as my friends 8 yr old puts it when referring to CRT TVs.....

And that is because I drive a Nissan sentra........hoping soon when we buy our next car. Just sold mine as it was getting lemony will be able to handle hauls.....we are looking towards getting a suv.  Apparently I was out voted in the truck idea..

[PunkCryborg]

i have 5  crt monitors right now so no i dont think you are nuts

[DragonmasterDan]

With VGS this weekend, the evening before I picked up two small CRTs for .49 each to use for Turbofest. Goodwills near me still seem to have them but are pickier with which ones they are accepting.

[xcrement5x]

You are lucky, most of the thrifts near me have stop accepting any tube TVs so my source for upgrades has run dry.  I used to occasionally upgrade my set from there when they got a better set in and I'd re-donate the old one.  Right now I've got a nice 27" Samsung that does a great job with SD inputs, but I was hoping I could find an older Trinitron eventually

I'm not sure if there are Savers down your way, but they seem to still have CRTs up here.

I just searched and the closest one to me is in.................. Highlands Ranch!

That's a bit of a drive just for a CRT though ;)


I'll stick with what I've got for now, the CRT and the PVM in my closet will hold me over.  Technically I'd guess the tube in my woody arcade machine would count too, but I'm hoping to get rid of that this summer.  I'd stockpile them if I had more room, but my basement is already chock full of stuff. 

[DragonmasterDan]

I'm resurrecting this dead thread.

Two of my nearby Goodwills had this sign up.

[ToyMachine78]

Meh..... They were over priced anyhow. All the GW stores around here sell 27in+ for 35$ +.

[DragonmasterDan]

Meh..... They were over priced anyhow. All the GW stores around here sell 27in+ for 35$ +.

2.00 or less in most cases in my area.

[ToyMachine78]

Meh..... They were over priced anyhow. All the GW stores around here sell 27in+ for 35$ +.

2.00 or less in most cases in my area.

Holy smokes!!!!! Must be nice.... We got some greedy fuckers around here. I guess they set the price based on market

[Medic_wheat]

Meh..... They were over priced anyhow. All the GW stores around here sell 27in+ for 35$ +.

2.00 or less in most cases in my area.

Holy smokes!!!!! Must be nice.... We got some greedy fuckers around here. I guess they set the price based on market

Yeah same in my area $24-35 depending on size.    Never seen them for $2.

[esteban]

I am upset. My wife threw out two CRTs thinking I wouldn't notice. Sony Trinitron 27" and a cute JVC 19 inch.

I guess I'll have to find two more backup CRT's locally.

[DragonmasterDan]

I am upset. My wife threw out two CRTs thinking I wouldn't notice. Sony Trinitron 27" and a cute JVC 19 inch.

I guess I'll have to find two more backup CRT's locally.

I think the goodwills are managed regionally and this probably location by location based. So in New Jersey they might still take them.

Meh..... They were over priced anyhow. All the GW stores around here sell 27in+ for 35$ +.

2.00 or less in most cases in my area.

Holy smokes!!!!! Must be nice.... We got some greedy fuckers around here. I guess they set the price based on market

Yeah same in my area $24-35 depending on size.    Never seen them for $2.

Some of the other thrift chains are higher priced. I actually bought (while technically not a TV) a 32 inch Sony PVM for 1.99 not too long ago.

[Medic_wheat]

I am upset. My wife threw out two CRTs thinking I wouldn't notice. Sony Trinitron 27" and a cute JVC 19 inch.

I guess I'll have to find two more backup CRT's locally.

I think the goodwills are managed regionally and this probably location by location based. So in New Jersey they might still take them.

Meh..... They were over priced anyhow. All the GW stores around here sell 27in+ for 35$ +.

2.00 or less in most cases in my area.

Holy smokes!!!!! Must be nice.... We got some greedy fuckers around here. I guess they set the price based on market

Yeah same in my area $24-35 depending on size.    Never seen them for $2.

Some of the other thrift chains are higher priced. I actually bought (while technically not a TV) a 32 inch Sony PVM for 1.99 not too long ago.

We're not worthy! We're not worthy!

[cr8zykuban0]

only if i can find a sony pvm at a goodwill. now that would be nice

[SamIAm]

I'm jealous of you guys in America. Here in Japan, CRTs are starting to disappear from even the dingiest used electronics stores. I'll probably buy the next good one I find even if I don't need it, just to put it in storage for when my current one finally dies.

[jeffhlewis]

Damn, I knew this day was coming. For things like MGC, we might only get one more chance to stock up, then whatever stock of CRTs we have is literally going to be it, until they die off one by one (we lose a couple every year during load up/tear down). Might have to start scraping Craigslist.

[ifkz]

Another one in:  A woodgrain side Montgomery Ward brand 19 inch TV I bought for the woodgrain = $10

Another one out:  A 1991 19 inch, cable-ready only hookup

A good swap, I think.

[Medic_wheat]

Another one in:  A woodgrain side Montgomery Ward brand 19 inch TV I bought for the woodgrain = $10

Another one out:  A 1991 19 inch, cable-ready only hookup

A good swap, I think.

Post a pic of the wooden one

[DragonmasterDan]

Damn, I knew this day was coming. For things like MGC, we might only get one more chance to stock up, then whatever stock of CRTs we have is literally going to be it, until they die off one by one (we lose a couple every year during load up/tear down). Might have to start scraping Craigslist.

The TVs I've been bringing to VGS and Octurbofest were acquired in this manner, I have a few small ones for cons. But it may turn into higher priced thrifts and craigslist in the future.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

I assume they mean no crt/projection TVs?

[DragonmasterDan]

I assume they mean no crt/projection TVs?

I suspect they'd take LCDs/LED and Plasmas.

[cjameslv]

I assume they mean no crt/projection TVs?

I suspect they'd take LCDs/LED and Plasmas.

Man, so today i stopped at a salvation army (as i always do to check the cd section for hidden obey) sure enough a really nice toshibi 32" sd flat crt was in there with  a few rows of component hookups for $10! Had to really fight it lol and then thought of this thread as soon as i was considering to buy it! May still go back lol never know 

[DragonmasterDan]

Man, so today i stopped at a salvation army (as i always do to check the cd section for hidden obey) sure enough a really nice toshibi 32" sd flat crt was in there with  a few rows of component hookups for $10! Had to really fight it lol and then thought of this thread as soon as i was considering to buy it! May still go back lol never know 

If it had the remote and you have the room/vehicle capable of easily transporting it and you've tested it (see if there is a power strip area, grab a used DVD player or something and try hooking it up to verify the screen is okay) then at 10.00 it's probably worth it. If it has component it's presumably an EDTV (or a CRT HDTV)

[SamIAm]

Man oh man. Does anyone want to buy two or three of these sweet CRT sets to store for me for if/when I come back to the states? I am massively jealous.

In Japan, it's just crazy. For one thing, 4:3 aspect ratio sets were never made larger than 29 inches except in rare circumstances, like models aimed at businesses rather than consumers. 32 and 36 inch sets sound freaking fabulous.

For another thing, though, the whole Japanese mindset about consumer electronics - that having the latest and greatest is important to support the economy, not just to be trendy - and the extra pressure people here feel to save space in their small living rooms mean that CRTs are vanishing rapidly. Three years ago, when I searched for a nice 29 inch Sony Wega, I could take my pick. There were multiple auctions of each model on Yahoo Japan. Now, though, the really good models only come along every few weeks or months. Even the not-so-good sets are in short supply. In two more years, I think it's going to be damned difficult to get any CRT with component inputs.

Stock up, you guys. This day will come to America soon enough. After looking at the current situation, I'm going to buy one or two sets in the next few months. I might even buy like three or four, then keep the best two and sell the rest.

Or maybe I should just suck it up and get an upscaler. That's probably what would make my girlfriend happier. 

[xcrement5x]

Man oh man. Does anyone want to buy two or three of these sweet CRT sets to store for me for if/when I come back to the states? I am massively jealous.

In Japan, it's just crazy. For one thing, 4:3 aspect ratio sets were never made larger than 29 inches except in rare circumstances, like models aimed at businesses rather than consumers. 32 and 36 inch sets sound freaking fabulous.

For another thing, though, the whole Japanese mindset about consumer electronics - that having the latest and greatest is important to support the economy, not just to be trendy - and the extra pressure people here feel to save space in their small living rooms mean that CRTs are vanishing rapidly. Three years ago, when I searched for a nice 29 inch Sony Wega, I could take my pick. There were multiple auctions of each model on Yahoo Japan. Now, though, the really good models only come along every few weeks or months. Even the not-so-good sets are in short supply. In two more years, I think it's going to be damned difficult to get any CRT with component inputs.

Stock up, you guys. This day will come to America soon enough. After looking at the current situation, I'm going to buy one or two sets in the next few months. I might even buy like three or four, then keep the best two and sell the rest.

Or maybe I should just suck it up and get an upscaler. That's probably what would make my girlfriend happier. 

Nahh, stock up on the tubes man!  It always makes a great conversation piece for me when people come over and see the old consoles hooked up to a tube TV. 

[ifkz]

Post a pic of the wooden one

Sorry about the length of time to make this post, but here you go, complete with price stickers.  It's a Montgomery Ward from 1989..surprisingly old styling for the date.  Wow, did Montgomery Ward retirees get screwed over (thanks Wikipedia!).

Of course I made another swap between posts:

Out: Phillips 19 inch with a bit worn electronics inside (tube was either too bright or too dark).
In: Perhaps my best set yet:  a 23 inch viewable Samsung from 2006.  It even plays a short jingle on power up and power down.   It is a bit too large for my desk, but I am getting used to it.

[GohanX]

I have that tv, it was my main rig up until last year. It's got a pretty great component picture. I was using it in a second room until a couple of weeks ago when I found a PVM.

[DragonmasterDan]

In: Perhaps my best set yet:  a 23 inch viewable Samsung from 2006.  It even plays a short jingle on power up and power down.   It is a bit too large for my desk, but I am getting used to it.

I also have a Samsung, though I believe it's around 19 inches rather than 23, and it plays a little chime when powered off and on as well.

[BlueBMW]

I have the Toshiba equivalent of that Samsung.  Awesome late era CRT.  I bought mine new in 2006

[KnightWarrior]

The Goodwills I go to only have TV's larger then 32' I want to find a 13' again

[wildfruit]

I have a nice 21 inch crt branded as Schneider though I think the internals are Toshiba. Does rf, composite, svideo via scart and rgb via scart. 4:3
Shame you having such problems crt tvs are still relatively easy to find here. Not uncommon to find a large trinitron and such for £10-£20

[SuperGrafx]

I stopped into a goodwill this evening and was shocked by the vast selection of tube crt's on sale.
I think the most expensive one clocked in around $12.95!

I'm thinking of picking up a spare or two for my PCE setups.

[Dicer]

Not Goodwill, but my GF sister... awesome grab today

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[SamIAm]

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]

RF/Composite/S-vid/Component is all I have ever seen on Trinitron/Wega US models.

[DragonmasterDan]

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.

[SamIAm]

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]

Damn. Damn. Damn.