CRT (cathode-ray tube) televisions have a special vacuum tube that produces images when an electron beam strikes a phosphorescent surface. The first televisions produced in the 1940s were based on CRT technology, and this was the only widely available type of television until a decade ago.
CRTs may be—but are not necessarily—high definition (HD). Whether or not they are HD depends upon the lines of resolution that the picture tube will display.
HD CRTs are usually capable of displaying 480 or 1080 horizontal lines of interlaced resolution, referred to as "480i" and "1080i," respectively.
In addition, most HD CRTs also improve upon the standard definition (480i) format by refreshing the pixels in a "progressive scan" process called "480p." For more about this, see HDTV Technology.
CRT TVs are relatively affordable and reliable, as evidenced by years of repair records. CRTs come only in 36-inch or smaller (measured diagonally) models, and their mid-sized screens are often appropriate mostly for small rooms.
These television sets are much bulkier and heavier than other television technologies; most are about 24 inches deep, and they can weigh up to 200 pounds. One other drawback is that a CRT's picture quality can deteriorate after several years.
Of course, you'll pay more for a high-definition CRT than a standard-definition one. Though you can get a 32-inch standard-definition CRT for $400 to $650, a high-definition 30-inch model runs from about $600 to $800.
Despite the drawbacks, high-definition CRTs are a good low-budget choice for budget-conscious consumers who want to upgrade their TVs.
