New Televison

For quite a couple of days we have been thinking about getting a new television for our home. Though our existing 14 inch LG CRT CineMax is working perfectly, we want to get a new one just for a change. Initially we were open for any TV, with the only condition that it has to be a big one with a large screen. And also it needs to have a longer life.

After initial analysis on the web, found that LCDs and LEDs typically have a life of 1 to 3 years like that of mobile phones. Also the sound quality is not upto the mark, unless we attach a home theatre to it. So we started considering CRT. We got confused between LED and CRT, since the low end LCDs have almost caught the price of high-end(???) CRTs. Also we have 2 little friends in our home who have the habit of scratching, rubbing, tapping the screen with hand or with any available objects. So finally since the screen also has to be robust, we decided to go for a CRT TV for now and after 10 years, buy an LCD or a TV with any latest technology that time.

CRTs with good sound effect, picture clarity, low cost, durability and with a big screen was our final choice. Though it might strain the eyes a bit more than a LCD, we decided to get a good CRT TV. Initially I tried to order online, but found that no one was selling and shipping CRT online. Of course I found one seller, but he is in UP and they ship big objects like TV only within UP. So we were left with no option but to buy in shops. We went to the nearby mall and found that they dont sell TV at all. Then in a week-end we went to another mall (or stores) and there they informed that now the trend has changed and no one is buying CRT these days. But we could see 3 CRTs in the display. But they looked very old and dusty and the salesman informed that only that those were available and if want a CRT, we need to take one among them, since CRTs are no more in production.

So, we came home back, dis-appointed. That week I again started my analysis on the web and found that CRTs are still in production. And they are made only in 2 sizes - 21 inches and 29 inches. The production is stopped only in the US. And compaies like LG and Samsung still make CRT models for markets like India. These models are more advanced than the traditional (vintage TVs that most of us had in our homes) with features like Slim and Ultra-Slim picture tubes. These TVs are semi-digital and they differ from their LCD and LED counter parts only in the display technology. All other inner hardware remain the same. Since more space is available inside the cabinet, they are equipped with high power speakers of 350 to 500 Watts PMPO.

With this info, I again went to shops, this time to bigger shops. Most of them said that those CRT models are no more in production. We even went to Tata Chroma where we saw lots of big and bigger LCD and LED TVs, showing bright pictures. My little friend Dhanu liked the 3D TV among them. He said "The people are coming out of the TV"  when he watched the 3D TV with a 3D glass and also attempted to hide behind his mom when a dog jumped from the TV :-). He finally unianimously declared that we need to buy that Glass TV(according to him, since we need a glass(specs) to view that TV). I convinced him that we dont have that much space to keep that TV in our home. In Tata Chroma, they have their own brand-Chrome TV-a CRT model-29 inches. But it was slim and not ultra-slim. We wanted a ultra-slim TV, since it is very thin and one cannot easily make out that its a CRT, since it almost looks like an LCD when viewed from the front.

After a couple of days, we totally dropped the idea to buy a new TV. We convinced ourselves that the existing TV iteself will work for more than 10 years, and we can change TV after that time and by that time our little friends will also be grown up. But the next day, when I went for buying grocery, I found a small shop with lot of CRTs. I went inside and got to know that they were manufactured in Jan 2012. This again revived our idea to buy a CRT TV.

One day I went to the same mall(or stores) for buying a gift for one of my college, where I happened to see a lot of packed LG CRT slim TVs kept near the escalator. I saw the label in the cartoon and found that their manufacturing date is Feb 2012. Then I left the mall and went to it again with my friend on the next day, with the final idea to buy one among those TVs.

When I approached salesman, he denied that they have any such TV. We told him that we saw a few near the escalator. He insisted that in CRTs they have only those 3 pieces kept in display. We still insisted that we saw a couple of TVs near the escalator. It seems somehow that all the people into TV selling business decided to push the LCD and LEDs and never even attempt to sell the CRT. The reason is very obvious - since all have atleast one TV in their home, which will be a CRT. And somehow if the salespeople manage to push the sales of LCD, then everyone will consider replacing their CRT with an LCD/LED and thereby increasing their sales.

We almost came to the end of dropping the idea of buying a TV altogether. But the salesman thought for a while, went to his supervisor and then agreed to locate and open the TV box, only if we are sure to buy it. We said we will buy it for sure. Then they located & opened the cartoon, took out the TV, connected it and starting testing it. People in that area gave a different look at us, and they were surprised to see us buying a CRT TV. The TV also had a USB socket using which contents in a pen-drive can be watched on the TV.  Its an LG TV 21 inches, ultra-slim with a USB feature.

We paid the amount, bought the TV and brought it home. Our little friend jumped with enthu on seeing the new TV. I opened the box, pulled the TV from the box and at that moment, remembered the moment when our father pulled out the 20 inches BPL black & white TV from the cartoon some 23 years back and how we kids were jumping out of joy. On that day, our home was filled with a large crowd, and my mother even took an Aarathi of both the TV and my father when he carried it inside our home from the auto. I will write that in a seperate post :-).

Coming back, Connected the power and cable lines to TV and it started serving us. Finally we got a new TV in our home :-). And below are a couple of pictures of our new TV.

[LG CRT TV inside the box]

[LG CRT TV Outside the box]

- Pavala.