Hi,

A friend is looking at a couple of TV's and I was wondering if someone could explain the differences between these TV's. The size is obvious but why such a similar price?

Thanks.

51" - http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&catoid=-8041&qp=0&oid=74893

34" - http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&catoid=-8043&qp=0&oid=77476

Direct view CRT is more expensive per viewing inch than CRT RPTV. Always has been that way.

which is the better TV?

Why would anyone get the smaller one (which I have) when the 51" is the same price (or cheaper)?

Its always a matter of preference, but I say, "throw all those little tube sets in the garbage and buy a BIG SCREEN!!!...Heck!...you want to be at the movies don't you???????....LOL!!!"

Hmmmmm... It seems to me that my 65" TV would be just a bit out of place in the bedroom. Now a 30" widescreen would be just perfect. Big isn't always better. It all depends on where it's going.

I don't know how big your bedroom is, but a 47 to 52 inch RPTV would do nicely...I just upgraded my Master bedroom with the 57" Toshiba...(I'm putting the 47" Panasonic up in my daughters bedroom)...Yes!!!...I want a movie theater in my bedroom too!...HECK!...why not!

>>which is the better TV?

Depends on the application.

Home theater videophile is 50" or better using CRT based RPTV and you can't just throw that into any room in your house. ISF calibration recommended.

Depends on the application.

I'm not an expert, but:

The direct view tube -
1) Can be viewed in a brightly lit room.
2) Viewing angle is very wide. In other words, everybody in the room sees the same picture.

The RPTV -
1) Much bigger picture
2) "Theater" experience
3) Cheaper technology, as far as costs to build, hence the lower price per screen inch.
BUT
1) The room needs to have the lights dimmed, or turned off completely. It can be viewed in full daylight, but it will not look very good. This can be a huge problem, depending on the application.
2) The picture dims considerably as you move away from the center of the room. In other words, you need to sit directly in front of the TV, and if you have a few friends off to the sides, it will not look as good to them. Try it at a store...

Answer these:
"Will this be in a darkened 'home thater' or in a normal living room?"

"How far away, in exact feet, from the TV will you be sitting?"

"What percentage of your normal viewing time is spent watching TV versus DVD movies?"

Post the answers and you may get a few helpful responses, but don't be suprised if people suggest you look into one of the other types of display technology - these two sets are the oldest types...