I loved those big old CRT/tube televisions. But that boat sailed long ago.
Video always was like audio in that some "videophiles" actually cared about the look, verisimilitude, and lifelike appearance of certain TVs and formats. I was one of those few. That meant investing in high end television monitors that weren't mass marketed (my pick was a 27" model from NAD; and later, a fine 32" Panasonic CRT). I also embraced a VHS format with ~2X the resolution of standard VHS (Super VHS). No one else did seemed to adopt this excellent format (I had multiple expensive SVHS recorders).
When high definition TV came in (now known somewhat derisively as standard Hi-Def), I got the most acclaimed flatscreen then available circa 2008: the Pioneer Kuro 42" plasma, an amazing television. Still have it and still appreciate its exception reproduction of colors and greyscale. Later on I got a 50" Panasonic plasma, one of the last ones made in 2012. That Panny is still busy reproducing lifelike colors for me on cable TV signals.
3 years ago I invested in the new video wonk’s favorite format, OLED (77" TOTL LG) for a large alternate living room. The big LG cost a ton but is far and away the best television I’ve ever seen. The color purity and black levels/greyscale are pretty amazing. I watch only streaming or blu-ray/4K HDR blu-ray on it, so burn-in isn’t even possible. OLED can't produce the extremes of brightness that LCD/LED can, but in a low-light viewing environment, the best that OLED can do is totally satisfying for these eyes.
Is it worth it to spend big $$ on the best possible video? If you’re me, the answer is "Hell, yes!" Just as it is in audio, which for me in recent years means desktop audio & headphones. I’m cursed by the ability to hear and see the quality that $$ can bring, especially from audio and video formats that emphasize signal purity and quality.
Video always was like audio in that some "videophiles" actually cared about the look, verisimilitude, and lifelike appearance of certain TVs and formats. I was one of those few. That meant investing in high end television monitors that weren't mass marketed (my pick was a 27" model from NAD; and later, a fine 32" Panasonic CRT). I also embraced a VHS format with ~2X the resolution of standard VHS (Super VHS). No one else did seemed to adopt this excellent format (I had multiple expensive SVHS recorders).
When high definition TV came in (now known somewhat derisively as standard Hi-Def), I got the most acclaimed flatscreen then available circa 2008: the Pioneer Kuro 42" plasma, an amazing television. Still have it and still appreciate its exception reproduction of colors and greyscale. Later on I got a 50" Panasonic plasma, one of the last ones made in 2012. That Panny is still busy reproducing lifelike colors for me on cable TV signals.
3 years ago I invested in the new video wonk’s favorite format, OLED (77" TOTL LG) for a large alternate living room. The big LG cost a ton but is far and away the best television I’ve ever seen. The color purity and black levels/greyscale are pretty amazing. I watch only streaming or blu-ray/4K HDR blu-ray on it, so burn-in isn’t even possible. OLED can't produce the extremes of brightness that LCD/LED can, but in a low-light viewing environment, the best that OLED can do is totally satisfying for these eyes.
Is it worth it to spend big $$ on the best possible video? If you’re me, the answer is "Hell, yes!" Just as it is in audio, which for me in recent years means desktop audio & headphones. I’m cursed by the ability to hear and see the quality that $$ can bring, especially from audio and video formats that emphasize signal purity and quality.