CRT Television
From SDA Knowledge Base
| Max Resolution | 480i |
| Possible A/V Inputs | RF, Composite, Component, S-Video |
| Display Lag | No |
| Weight | 50-150 lbs. |
| Availability | Not currently manufactured |
CRT stands for cathode ray tube. These televisions are named after the technology they use to display picture on the screen. These TVs are the television model of choice when speedrunning older console games or when capturing video footage from newer consoles in standard definition. The main reason is because there is no display lag. By display lag, we mean the moment of time from when the television receives the video signal to the time that it is displayed on the television screen.
Display Lag
With a CRT television, as soon as the TV receives the video signal it is instantaneously displayed on the screen. With an LCD or Plasma television, some processing of the image is required and this introduces a certain amount of display lag. How much display lag depends on a variety of factors. How much display lag affects your gameplay depends on the game and how well you are able to adjust to it.
the television receives a video signal that it is instantly displayed on the screen.
Disadvantages
- Weight - The weight of a CRT TV increases rapidly as the screen size increases. A 20 inch model weights around 50 pounds. A 25 inch model may weigh more than 100 lbs. This makes the televisions hard to pick up and maneuver.
- Availability - CRT TVs are no longer being manufactured as they have been replaced by LCD, Plasma, and other newer models. You will usually have to find a thrift shop or pawn shop in your local area and pick up these models in person. It is rare for these televisions to be sold online and even rarer to find shipping for these models.
- Limited resolution support - Modern consoles have the option of outputting video footage at resolutions that are high definition. These signals will not be recognized by a CRT TV. This makes high definition capture out of the question with these models.
HD CRT TV
HD CRT TVs are extremely uncommon. They have a few attributes which make them less ideal for speedrunning than traditional CRT TVs.
- Unlike standard CRT TVs HD CRTs have a native resolution and will process video signals to match it, adding lag
- HD CRT models are usually available in models 26 inches or larger. This makes most models weight over 100 lbs.
- HD CRT TVs are even more difficult to find online and usually require local pickup instead of shipping
