I Treated myself to something EXTRAVAGANT - Sony GDM FW900
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Thanks to Lenovo and AMD for sponsoring a portion of the video! Visit bestbuy.com to learn more. The Sony GDM FW-900 is one of the greatest monitors ever made with its widescreen aspect ratio and an incredibly high rated resolution (for the time) this 20-year-old retro beast puts many modern gaming displays to shame! What makes this thing so special, and why did Linus spend so much money on it? Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Buy an ASUS ROG SWIFT 360Hz PG259QN: geni.us Buy an Alienware AW3423DW QD-OLED: geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com FOLLOW US --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Intro: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High Video Link: youtube.com Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi Artist Link: youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 0:58 What is a CRT? 2:53 Why this CRT? 3:32 LCD vs CRT 4:20 Flicker Warning 4:43 LCD vs CRT Cont. 8:45 QD-OLED vs CRT 10:55 Rolling around at the speed of sound 12:15 Resolution on CRTs 14:30 Trinitron 16:35 Why not to buy
This video explores the Sony GDM FW900, a landmark CRT monitor, and why Linus decided to treat himself to this extravagance. It opens with context about CRTs versus modern LCDs, noting the FW900’s 16 by 10 aspect ratio and a high native resolution for its era, 2304 by 1440, as well as its SRGB color accuracy and strong vertical refresh capabilities. The host delves into how CRT technology works at a fundamental level, describing the three electron guns for red, green, and blue, and how phosphor lighting creates an image, all while highlighting the perceptual advantages of CRTs such as instantaneous phosphor response and tactile depth that feel more painterly than flat LCD output. The discussion then shifts to practical considerations, including the challenges of switching inputs to analog, the implications of using a GTX Titan X for analog outputs, and the realities of maintaining and powering a large CRT in a modern setup, with a strong emphasis on the differences in image persistence and brightness compared to LCDs and OLEDs. In the mid section, the host compares the FW900 to contemporary technologies, like QD-OLED, explaining how modern panels combine CRT-like persistence with improved black levels and brightness, and why OLED might be preferable for some users despite CRTs offering a unique look for retro gaming. The final stretch focuses on broader decisions about retro versus modern displays, including the enduring appeal of CRTs for authentic pixel presentation, the practical costs and logistics of owning a vintage monitor, and the sponsor segment that promotes a modern portable option from Lenovo, tying the discussion back to current hardware while celebrating the FW900’s enduring legacy. The video ends by acknowledging that while CRTs deliver a distinctive, nostalgic experience, the choice between keeping a classic CRT or embracing newer technologies depends on user preferences for brightness, motion rendering, and how closely one wants to replicate historical gaming experiences, all framed by Linus’s signature humorous banter and hands-on testing.” ,
Topics · display-technology · retro-gaming · technology-analysis · consumer-electronics · hardware-sponsorship
Questions answered
- What makes the Sony GDM FW900 stand out among CRTs?
- The FW900 combines a 16 by 10 aspect ratio with a high native resolution of 2304 by 1440, SRGB color accuracy, and strong vertical refresh performance, all built around Sony's Trinitron aperture grill design for brightness and color clarity.
- Why would someone choose a CRT over a modern display for gaming?
- CRTs offer instantaneous phosphor response, excellent motion persistence, and unique scanline behavior that can enhance retro games, especially those designed for CRT displays, despite higher cost and maintenance.
- What are the main downsides of owning a FW900 today?
- High purchase price, difficulty in finding good condition units, shipping challenges due to size, aging phosphors reducing brightness, and the need for analog inputs which complicates connection to modern GPUs.
- How does OLED compare to CRTs according to the video?
- OLEDs provide excellent black levels and near instantaneous pixel response, reducing artifacts, while CRTs offer a unique color and scanline look that OLED cannot replicate exactly, though OLEDs are brighter and more practical in modern setups.