CRT Televisions Still Squash Flat-Panel
In a recent blog, CNET journalist Erica Ogg revealed that CRT televisions, even in the face of mass flat-panel ad campaigns, refused to kick the bucket. In a world where big box electronics retailers push LCD and plasma with everything they've got, it's actually somewhat remarkable that the CRT exemplifies a sort-of Bruce Willis "Diehard" attitude. But, is it surprising? Not necessarily, according to many high definition experts.
In a blog a few months ago, Gizmo Guy Wayde revealed a poll from fellow gadget site Home Theater Shack, revealing the overwhelming preference of a CRT picture. Although the number of participants in the poll wasn't extravagantly large, the clear preference for Cathode Ray Tube was.
According to Ogg, many football fans feel the same way. During the week of the Super Bowl, a CRT sales hike clearly outshone the profits of flat-panel televisions. Direct-view sets reportedly jumped 61% during the seven days before the Bears got stomped by Peyton. Compare that to just a 40% increase for LCD screens.
Although Ogg doesn't indicate whether the actual revenue totals for CRT climbed over flat-panel screens, the sales percentage is evidence enough that Cathode Ray is far from kaput. The average price point of LCD ($1,072) vs. direct-view ($183) is a good indicator of why this jump took place.
Personally, I own a CRT HDTV. It cost me less than half the price of a comparable flat-panel television, and performs extremely well at 1080i. Be it John Constantine in HD-DVD or Marcus Phenix on the Xbox 360, the CRT's visuals are still an imposing force.
At last check, BestBuy.com listed just five CRT televisions. Maybe, just maybe, the big blue 'n yellow are missing.
