Samsung GXTV Big Deal or Dead weight

[Video_Invader]

Just found one of these for $50 with original box and remote. Should I go for it or are they not that big of a deal. I assume they are rare and are perfect for retro gaming.

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

I would definitely get it is even for the novelty but it is a nice retro display too.

[gorfcadet]

Aww man those were sweet back in the day. That would be a nice gaming screen.

[+save2600]

I was not impressed with them when they were first released (Samsung sucked and I sold TV's back then), but today, I'd probably pick one up in great shape. This one looks like someone had too much to drink and spit their beer all over it though.

 

Not flat and the speakers totally dwarf the screen, but still a pretty cool piece all the same.

 

Wait... S-video? Can't remember... if not, I'd probably still not pick one of these up.

[Video_Invader]

I was not impressed with them when they were first released (Samsung sucked and I sold TV's back then), but today, I'd probably pick one up in great shape. This one looks like someone had too much to drink and spit their beer all over it though.

 

Not flat and the speakers totally dwarf the screen, but still a pretty cool piece all the same.

 

Wait... S-video? Can't remember... if not, I'd probably still not pick one of these up.

No S-Video. That's just dust from storage.

[+GoldenWheels]

I always thought they looked 10x better with the doors closed. You open them and you're like...oh. That's it. We had these at TRU back I the day and didn't sell a one at my store. Still wish I had snagged the floor model.

 

I'd haggle but if I saw it for 50 beans in the wild...I'd probably get it just for the novelty.

[Drixxel]

Kind of a cool TV, but it's a serious turnoff for me that composite video's the best you'll be feeding this thing. The disproportionate quality of those built-in speakers and subwoofer are just crying for a more robust set of video inputs. There's a reasonably informative write-up about the experience with the set here: http://www.retrothin...tro-gaming.html.

[0078265317]

Ya I remember seeing this at bestbuy back in the old days. Was kinda cool but too expensive.

[Austin]

I've always wanted one of those. If I saw it for $50 boxed, I'd buy it.

[Video_Invader]

I passed on it. Just no need for it and not a REAL big find so.......

[+wood_jl]

I have a boxed one I think about selling from time-to-time, but it's such a hassle to try to sell a CRT online, I don't bother.

 

They're a neat unit. No S-video, but for consoles (Genesis, etc) that don't have it anyway, what matter? Sound is great. Remote is great. Just kind of a novelty.

 

If you do an Ebay search, they go for a pretty good coin, considering it's a 13" CRT.

 

 

 

 

So $50 was a good deal.

[Video_Invader]

Seen one go on ebay for $30. Never can tell. Nothing hot about it though.

[+wood_jl]

It's still a good TV, and an interesting videogame accessory. I'm sure some go for $10, but I've provided a couple of examples of ones that went for significantly more - quite observable and verifiable (as opposed to pure opinion and conjecture) - and quite recently. I can think of no finer evidence. Therefore, I submit - once again - that $50 wasn't a bad deal. I think the evidence speaks for itself, but, of course, anybody is free to disagree.

[Video_Invader]

Did you see the guy on ebay that wants $2100.00? Crazy morons.

[akator]

I bought one new in 1998, I think I paid $100. It had a good picture and great sound. We gave it to relatives sometime in 2000 and they are still happily using it.

 

The 4 inputs were unusual (1x RF and 3x composite). It was difficult to find smaller TVs with that much flexibility and on-screen controls, let alone stereo output.

 

I would definitely pick one up again if it was in good condition, working, and $50 or less.

[Osgeld]

when they first came out sure, but by 99 I got a 15 inch flat screen crt toshiba with 3 composite inputs, 2 svideo inputs, 2 rf inputs and built in stereo for like 200 bucks at best buy

 

these things always seemed like large dinasaurs with a meh screen and a heavy price, never was sold on it

[Video_Invader]

My 27" JVC kills this thing in comparison. It has the same speaker setup. Stereo plus bass sub. Plenty of av inputs and one hell of a picture.

[+Curious Sofa]

I have a 13" model and it is a nice little novelty, I've had it since new. Think I paid $175 or something for it back in the day, last one they had at Best Buy. The picture quality is good; it's got a silly "GX Mode" thing that changed the colors or brightness, I've never really understood what its benefits are.

But simply, 13" screen is too small. I enjoy playing 2600 games on it, but I remember them advertising it for the Saturn and PSX, and it's just too small for those IMO. The sounds is awesome and the swivel is nice, I just wish they've have made a 27" version. I believe there was a 19" version? Or maybe it was planned and scrapped.

 

Mostly I run a composite modded Vader into it and it's good for that, crisp picture and sound, and looks cool when I shut the "doors" on it at night.

I remember at EB Games we had one that had a speaker wire go bad on due to too many people fidgeting with the opening and closing of the doors, so be wary of that possibility I guess.

[chuckwalla]

I have one that I bought for $20.

It's a novel piece of nostalgia but to be honest my Sony 14" WEGA kicks its butt in audio and video.

[Video_Invader]

I have one that I bought for $20.

It's a novel piece of nostalgia but to be honest my Sony 14" WEGA kicks its butt in audio and video.

Yeah Sony Trintrons are the best. I might be getting a 27" console Trinitron.

[+wood_jl]

If you don't like 13" displays (too small, or whatever) then this is an issue you have with *any* 13" display, and not specific to the GXTV. While the GXTV lacks S-video, I have found that - considering it's only composite or RF - to be an admirable performer, in those regards. It does have a nice picture. Someone earlier stated it as 1x RF inputs; it has 2. That's not a great innovation, but it does have 2.

 

Sure, your S-video 27" JVC or Sony Trinitron can outperform it, but nobody ever suggested that it couldn't. I have nice Trinitrons that I prefer, but that's not to say that the GXTV is crap. It's a nice-quality composite/RF display with great sound. If 13" display is too small, that is then to fault *ANY* 13" display. In that case, you shouldn't be looking at 13" displays, to begin with. I really like some of the 13" JVC models that have S-video, but they're still not quite as cool. You don't have to buy a GXTV - or even like one - but there are plenty of inferior displays to sh*t on, before this one. It's a little bit of a nice videogame collectible, although it was obviously over-hyped.

Edited July 20, 2013 by wood_jl

[Rex Dart]

While the GXTV lacks S-video, I have found that - considering it's only composite or RF - to be an admirable performer, in those regards. It does have a nice picture.

 

That's what I've always heard. Composite is the best it offers, but it's pretty good composite. Still, it's pretty chunky for a 13" TV. I guess not needing a separate power cord for the speakers could be a plus.

[Austin]

I saw one of these yestersay running Sonic 2. The picture was really nice.

[S1500]

Like those 1950s-era console radios that are as big as a table, this is the 1990s version. That deep DEEP bezel, the foldable speaker doors.

 

20 years from now, hipsters will want one with a Packard Bell for novelty value.

[+boxpressed]

I missed this thread when it started, but I picked up a GXE1395 (gxTV) off Craigslist about a week ago. The seller wanted $50, which seemed fair to me. I think he had priced it at $75 in an earlier CL listing. It is in great condition, although no remote was included.

 

I'm not sure I would have paid $75. but I'm glad I bought it. It has a very bright screen and fantastic sound. If you're tired of swapping out RF cables, the two RF inputs are very convenient. It is the biggest and heaviest 13" TV I've ever seen. You might think twice if space is tight, but if you have the room, it is a great conversation piece for showing off your retro consoles to others.