For those yearning to revisit childhood console and arcade classics, or experience legendary retro video games for the first time, playing on modern ultra HD LED displays can feel a bit off. The graphics, the controls, the feel and nostalgic scanlines…something important is missing.
That‘s why groups of loyal retro gaming enthusiasts have been stockpiling old CRT (cathode ray tube) screens, driving prices for quality vintage displays well over $500 in many cases. Some rare Sony professional monitors have even resold for several thousand dollars!
While the tech world has moved on from bulky CRT monitors and TVs, they still offer distinct benefits for vintage gaming systems that new LED and LCD panels can‘t reproduce. Let‘s compare old-school display tech with the latest and explore why CRT remains king for classic gaming.
Why CRT and Retro Gaming Just Works
Before widescreen HD monitors and TVs took over the market in the 2000s, most computers and consoles displayed graphics on CRT displays using electron guns directing beams at a phosphor coated screen. This tech was used from early consumer TVs in the 1950s all the way to the late 2000s.
As a result, retro consoles and computers were designed assuming games would be played on curved CRT screens. The graphics, resolution, controls and other elements were optimized for how CRT displays reproduced images and video.
Later LED-backlit LCD monitors took a different tech approach, using liquid crystals and fixed pixels to produce images. While resolution increased exponentially, this digital display method lost some of the analog warmth and character that retro gamers loved about CRTs.
When it comes to accurately representing the retro gaming experience as developers intended, nothing beats the original display medium – the cathode ray tube. Let‘s explore why in more detail.
CRT Tech Captures Original Graphics Better
CRT monitors and TVs work by shooting electron beams at phosphor coated screens. This analog process creates images with vibrant, saturated colors and high contrast ratios. Motion is displayed smoothly without lag due to the extremely fast refresh times CRT monitors provide – up to 240Hz for some pro models. These factors result in crisp, vivid graphics that accurately represent how retro game developers crafted their pixel art and animation.
Later LCD monitors rely on matrices of tiny liquid crystals that act as pixels to produce still images in a digital format. To show motion, multiple still images have to be refreshed rapidly. This can introduce visual effects like ghosting or blurring during action sequences that retro gamers find distracting. Even high refresh rate modern monitors can‘t match the zero motion blur experience of CRT displays.
Additionally, the set resolutions for retro consoles like the original NES, SNES and PlayStations align with common CRT display specs for optimal image quality. Blowing up lower native resolutions on fixed pixel HD and 4K screens results in rough, uneven graphics. On a CRT monitor, retro games shine just as brightly as they did 30+ years ago.
The winner: CRT displays produce vibrant graphics with zero ghosting that faithfully represent retro games as originally designed.
Feel the Nostalgia with CRT Monitors
Beyond technical specs, CRT displays bring back fond memories for retro gamers who grew up with these monitors. Playing a game like PacMan or Street Fighter II on a curved CRT monitor with scanlines feels like you‘ve traveled back in time to an old arcade. The Bush or Magnavox family TV dad lugged home adds to the nostalgia of firing up a Super Nintendo console to play Mario Kart on a Saturday morning.
Modern HD displays with ultra sharp images actually detract from this nostalgic feeling. Part of what makes retro gaming so enjoyable is remembering a simpler era of technology and appreciating the creativity built into basic graphics and gameplay. CRT displays enhance this backwards glance at childhood wonder, cementing them as the display of choice for dedicated retro gamers.
Later on, we‘ll recommend some all-time classic CRT monitors perfect for different retro gaming set-ups. But first, let‘s explore why CRTs deliver a definitive retro gaming experience from additional technical angles.
Contrast and Color – CRT Rules Retro Gaming
Contrast ratios quantify the difference between bright and dark areas a display can reproduce accurately. Most modern LED monitors and TVs have static contrast ratios in the range of 1000-3000:1. Professional monitors may reach up to 5000:1.
CRT displays rely on shooting electrons to light phosphors – similar to how old tube televisions worked. This process can produce extremely high contrast ratios ranging anywhere from 3000:1 on consumer sets up to 30000:1 for specialized CRT monitors designed for the medical, graphics, or animation fields.
Such deep darks and vividly bright colors and tones exceed what LCD/LED screens can hope to achieve. When combined with broad color gamuts thanks to specialized electron guns and phosphor coatings, CRT monitors deliver rich, accurate color reproduction that fits with developers‘ original visions for retro titles. Crisp pixel art pops while backgrounds maintain detail in shadows and highlights. No washed out, uneven graphics plaguing upscaled content on LCD panels.
The winner: Unmatched contrast and color quality – CRT displays for the win.
Responsiveness and Refresh Rates
Input lag refers to the delay between a player pressing a key or moving their joystick to the desired action appearing on screen. Fast response times are critical, especially for popular fighting, action and racing retro titles. Nothing frustrates gamers more than losing a match or crashing their vehicle due to control lag!
Slow LCD panels with only 60Hz refresh rates lead to substantial input lag compared to lightning fast CRT monitors. Responsiveness was a strong suit of CRT tech, with quick electron beams constantly redrawing the entire screen image up to 240 times per second on high-end models. This wiped out input lag, allowing instant on-screen reactions to joystick motions and button presses.
For competitive fighting game scenarios or beating crowded high score tables, CRT monitors give retro gamers the split-second responsiveness required to prevail. Friends may claim that older CRT tech displays slower – but the numbers tell a different story. When it comes to input lag and refresh rates, CRT tech leaves modern LCD monitors far behind.
The winner: Blazing fast responsiveness and high refresh rates – CRT tech for the win again!
Picture Precision with CRT Electron Beams
Higher resolutions don‘t automatically guarantee better image quality, as fuzzy upscaled retro graphics on 4K TVs demonstrate. CRT monitors use focused electron beams directing light at phosphors to "paint" images. Sort of an ultra fine dot matrix print head.
This process allows for very precise control of pixels compared to blocky digital image segments on LCD displays. Details stay sharper with no uneven steps between pixel elements since images aren‘t locked to a stagnant grid format. Light filters smoothly across pixels for enhanced gradients and contours.
When playing pixel art masterpieces like Street Fighter II, Donkey Kong Country or Quartett on CRT monitors, gamers enjoy stellar graphics right on par with arcade cabinet quality. Scanlines add a final touch of retro authenticity absent on HD screens.
The winner: Precision phosphor excitement only possible on electron gun powered CRT displays.
CRT Display Immersion and Game Controls
Classic joystick and gamepad control schemes were designed factoring in typical CRT monitor response rates and screen curvature. Playing on a flat LCD panel throws off muscle memory refined by years of play. Buttons may seem to lag ever so slightly while facility moving the joystick about precisely suffers.
Like sitting in cockpit of an X-wing fighter battling the Galactic Empire, CRT monitors surround gamers with phosphor glowing action. Curved screens fill more peripheral vision compared to flat modern panels optimally positioned feet away from viewers. With a CRT display‘s image encompassing more visual range, gamers feel transported into central roles within beloved retro titles.
And while controls lag on sluggish HDMI connected screens, CRT monitors empower split decisions and rapid fire button combos. Fighting game greats swear by old school CRT displays for tournaments – the new LCD hotness just doesn‘t cut it for seasoned players and arcade enthusiasts.
The winner: CRT monitors uniquely deliver total immersion along with perfectly responsive controls. Modern LCDs need not apply.
Long Term Reliability of CRT vs LCD Tech
One supposed benefit of new LCD, LED and OLED panel technology is longer useful lifespans and resistance to issues like screen burn-in. However, CRT displays employ some inherent strengths that lead to impressive long term reliability.
For one, burning an image into a CRT screen is extremely rare. Constantly refreshing phosphor coatings prevent static image elements from permanently adhering. Plasma screens and early OLED tech proved far more susceptible to burn-in defects.
Secondly, while intricate modern panels often fail if any one component goes bad, CRT displays tend to either work fine or simply not turn on if electrical issues occur. This resilience saves repair costs over complex LED-backlit LCD screens featuring exacting uniformity and calibration requirements.
Finally, heavy duty analog components like cathode ray tubes, yoke coils and high voltage regulated power supplies withstand years of continuous operation – no worries about diffuse backlights burning out. Discrete electrons crashing into phosphors rather than fragile liquid crystals or organic LEDs tend to better tolerate heat and vibration as well.
Considering many functional CRT monitors over 50 years old remain, their staying power even outmatches solid state panels on reliability metrics. Vintage tech 1 – Fragile modern displays 0.
The winner: Nearly indestructible old school CRT monitors for the win yet again.
CRT Monitors: The Definitive Retro Gaming Experience
After comparing display technologies across a range of metrics including visual acuity, color reproduction, motion clarity, input lag, and display lifespan, CRT monitors clearly provide definitive retro gaming experiences LCD and LED panels can‘t match.
From limited immersion caused by flat screens to input lag robbing precisely timed combos, modern displays stutter trying to keep pace with the best retro gaming moments. Even expensive high refresh rate panels fall painfully short of CRT excellence powered by venerable electron gun foundations.
For both technical and nostalgic reasons, groups of gamers pay premiums trying to score the CRT displays they grew up with. Some models like the Sony GDM-FW900 or PVM line fetch insane prices as ultimate retro gaming status symbols. Even long forgotten brands buried away in basements see renewed interest when word gets out of low hour vintage CRTs potentially up for grabs.
If you want to unlock your favorite classic games‘ full potential and see them as developers originally intended, then a quality CRT display is mandatory. Check out the curated recommendations below for top monitors to consider at different budget levels.
Top CRT Monitors for Retro Gaming
Budget Pick Under $75 – Early 2000s Dell or Gateway Monitor
Later model CRT computer monitors from Dell, Gateway, HP, or similar OEMs deliver decent image quality and response rates at affordable used prices under $75. 17" and 19" models strike a nice balance – avoid going too small or extremely large. Models targeted at office use likely saw minimal runtime preserving cathode tubes. Expect S-Video and VGA inputs only – no RGB. While not perfect, these monitors bring CRT magic home without breaking the bank.
Mid Range Classic – Sony CPD-220GS
The Sony GDM-FW900 mentioned earlier sells for upwards of $1000…when you can even find one! For a more reasonable investment, the CPD-220GS provides fantastic image quality with RGB inputs for the sharpest graphics across a wide 21" curved screen. This later model standalone monitor was designed for color accuracy with specialized Trinitron tubes and sells for around $150-250 refurbished.
Premium – BVM and PVM Studio Monitors
At the high end, Sony‘s professional line dubbed BVM and PVM monitors were built for broadcast, medical imaging, graphics arts and animation fields. Models like the BVM-D24E1WU provide unparalleled image precision and clarity that leave even $5000 commercial LCDs looking murky. Prices hover from $400 into the thousands. Barco and other brands also produced pro CRTs. While expensive, these monitors represent the pinnacle of CRT gaming experiences.
Ideally, all retro gaming fans should experience cherished classics or cutting edge 1980s and 90s titles on vintage CRT displays. Compare side-by-side – modern LCD panels invent blur and lag trying to reproduce nostalgic gaming greatness. Long live the venerable old school CRT monitor!
What retro monitor stories or favorite CRT models would you like to share? Comment below and join an enthusiastic community of old school gamers.
