@thomasfuchs.at wondering what it would take to safely convert a compact crt into a form factor like that, with all the components tucked around the central tube.
Would love a small screen that looked like that. Maybe on a little adjustable arm.
@danana_dread
Not so much of a problem from the technical and safety part
Major issue would be to make a completely new circuit board or better collection of smaller boards, some sub-circuits must be build as compact blocks that can not seriously converted into stretches or circle parts
I know CRT tech very well
I grew up hearing all the horror stories about leaded glass and toxic phosphors, and it scared me away from looking into hacking an old tube display.
But lately, I've been doing a fair bit of low-spec art, and keep thinking it could be nice to have a small or thin CRT preview monitor. Seem like they're hard to find though, and the very thin ones from the early 00s don't seem like they hit production.
Figure I could maybe repurpose the tube from one of those old handheld Sony Watchmans into a small auxilliary display. Or even a portable low power computer with an SBC or something.
Still does seem a little daunting though! Never messed with it. If you have any pointers for where to start with this sort of thing it'd be welcome!
> I grew up hearing all the horror stories about leaded glass and toxic phosphors, and it scared me away from looking into hacking an old tube display.
In very past decades, when beautiful wooden furniture TV sets were still around, many people had ideas like cutting open the tube and make the TV set into an aquarium. THAT did not end well for the fishes, if the makers lived long enough to actually put water and fishes into that tank
@danana_dread
> But lately, I've been doing a fair bit of low-spec art, and keep thinking it could be nice to have a small or thin CRT preview monitor. Seem like they're hard to find though, and the very thin ones from the early 00s don't seem like they hit production.
I know these "superflat" TV tubes from the early 2000s in person and i very not recommand them. Very poor picture and shit amounts of complicated geometry compensation circuits involved
@danana_dread the peak of CRT picture quality was around the early to middle 90s
All what came later was either cheapened out for feeding tube nostalgics, or competing with plasma displays and trying to be more flat beyond sane limits
@danana_dread
Your best thing to tinker about are the 10 to 25cm TV and video moitors, they use pretty low danger voltages
Some of the black/white ones could even be rebuilt into VGA frequency range (but thats expert level, rewinding coils and such, i might find back my old notes)
I have not yet had an AtariSM124 BW VGA monitor physically in my hands, but from photos and circuits this looks to be the best and most serious monitor to rebuild into custom cases
@Laberpferd
> the peak of CRT picture quality was around the early to middle 90s. All what came later was either cheapened out for feeding tube nostalgics, or competing with plasma displays and trying to be more flat beyond sane limits
Haha, yes. I was getting that sense from looking around.
If you don't mind my asking:
If I were to simply buy an old CRT display, without trying to tinker with anything, are there any manufacturers or particular models you'd suggest over others?
My main use for it would be as a CRT-based color display for a computer. Anything that has a smaller screen and lighter housing, is reliably built or repairable, and has a decent clarity, would be my ideal.
@danana_dread
If its for Color:
Personally i know 80s and 90s Grundig best for good construction and repairability, some good words also for Philips
But portables below 30cm are generally easy to care, above 30cm they tend to more dangerous voltages
They almost universally run only on TV frequencies and FBAS inputs which are nowhere near VGA quality, better ones had SCART input with RGB lines that are compatible with VGA cards (if you are not afraid of modifying modlines)
@danana_dread
One example that i would recommand
Cant judge the quality but interesting as well https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/kleiner-roehrenfernseher-crt-gaming-monitor-hinari-traveller/3120784915-175-1651
Thomas Fuchs
Dana
Laberpferd