Sony Trinitron Multiscan 420GS

[John8520]

I spent today helping a friend of a friend move data from his old tower to his new laptop, which is a fairly simple process, of course. After words he asked if I could help carry the monitor out to the street, because he wouldn't be needing it anymore, and he was going to ask around if anyone needed the tower (old PII, 128MB RAM). I was somewhat surprised as the monitor looked like a nice sony, so I offered to take it home and he let me.

The first thing I noticed about this monitor vs. other 17" CRTs is that it is freaking. heavy. The second is that the color and sharpness is absolutely amazing. I have it connected to my G4 right now, and a monitor like this makes OS9 look great, and OSX looks astounding! This is definitely the best CRT I've ever owned.

From a specs website I saw, it looks like it can do 1600x1200 at 85Hz, which from what I understand is pretty good. I also think it can do SoG, which means it'll play nice with macs and unix boxen, of which I have several.

EDIT - Whoop. Got some specs wrong. According to the sony specs page, its 19", and only goes to 75Hz. The 60lbs is definitely understandable, though.

Still looks awesome!

Annnd, here's a picture cause everyone loves pictures - http://i43.tinypic.com/161bbtg.jpg

 

[System7]

All trinitrons are great but heavy. Except for the 13 inch ones from apple, they dont weigh much.

 

[Unknown_K]

My main machine uses a 420GS, purchased it new in the 90's and it still works great. You will notice a port on the side that opens up for a 2nd input (usually for laptops but anything will do), I have my B&W connected to that port.

1600x1200 is a bit small, I use 1280x1024 which is what is recomended and I use 85Hz refresh.

 

[John8520]

Yeah, I have it at 1280x1024 at the moment as well. OSX also allows 85Hz, so I guess that spec sheet was either wrong or OSX can push it.

EDIT - Oh *man* ! That pop out port is amazing! I would have never found that. Here's a picture for all those that're curious - http://i43.tinypic.com/2rvzpyd.jpg

 

[redrouteone]

I used to have one of those. I had no idea about that pop out port.

It was a good monitor. Just wish I had the space for it. That thing was huge.

 

[Unknown_K]

There were some nice late model Nokia 21" monitors for sale locally for $25 a pop but I don't realy have a spot to keep one so I stick with the 19" Sony 420gs in my room. I do have a 19" viewable (looks like a 21") Supermac monitor in the basement and I had to resort to sticking it in an entertainment cabinet meant for a TV. They are just too big, deep, and heavy for most desks.

The pop out port is realy usefull, you just need a male to male VGA cable.

All of the Sony monitors I have support SOG and came with mac video adapters, they also support mac only modes and SUN ones as well. If I see any more Sony monitors on freecycle or thrifts I will snag them and toss one of the other brands.

 

[John8520]

Interesting to know they support mac/sun only modes.

Out of curiosity, do you know what you paid for one in the 90s?

 

[Unknown_K]

$550 shipped NIB I think it was from the internet.

My Sony 17SF2 was close to $800 new from bestbuy a few years earlier (still works and is connected to my ADB KVM in the lab for mac use).

Monitor prices for CRT were dropping steadily in the 90's and in 2000+ were so cheap nobody made money off of them and Sony had to quit using the badged nameplate and start silk screening the logo to the plastic to save a few cents. The they all went to LCD because those were pricey. Sooner or later the tech will change if for no other reason then LCDs will not be profitable to make anymore.

One of the last Sony monitors that impressed me was the 24" Widescreen CRTs, but they were crazy expensive and heavy.

 

[benjgvps]

I picked up a 17" Sony monitor for a few bucks at Value Village that was beaten up. It was pretty heavy though the picture was pretty nice. Needed it to complete a system I am selling.

 

[Unknown_K]

I got a Sony 200ES (17") I think it was for $4 at a local thrift last year, using it with my Ulra sparc 5 currently (works 100% just a little yellowing on the case). Most thrift monitors around here seem to be eMachine, DELL, Gateway and other branded newer black models.

The other day I snagged a 15" Compaq to match a Compaq Presario something or other P200MMX system I have, that was a freecycle find and looks mint after a cleanup. Before Christmas I snagged a mint Dell 16" CRT for a GX150 I gave away.

The thing I like about CRTs is they work great with old apps and games that have low resolution graphics (DOS gaming for one), where a new LCD just looks like crap emulating that resolution. CRT also beat LCD for true color video work, and gaming because of streaking on the older LCD designs.

If and when I get a new system I will probably get a widescreen LCD or two, unless OLED ever becomes popular and cheap.

 

[Christopher]

I have a CPD-E400 running at 1344X1008 @ 90Hz, brilliant picture. I adore these CRT's. And the dell E15 LCD's, the sharpest LCD I have ever used.

 

[slimac55]

Awesome. I have two Trinitrons (I want to get rid of one but the local dump doesn't take CRTs anymore) both 17", one connected to my server and one just sitting around. And I have to agree, OS X + Trinitron = Amazing quality. Even Windows + Trinitron = Awesome picture.