Ikegami HTM-1505R Multiformat RGB Retro Gaming CRT Video Monitor "Grail" BVM PVM

Description

Ships via UPS same or next business day, packed securely and full value insured.
Also available for local pickup (Brooklyn, 11201). Can consider offers especially for local pickup.
***
Listing for an
Ikegami HTM-1505RA
15'' multiformat HD and SD professional CRT monitor.
See a lot more photos and videos here in this Imgur album: https://imgur.com/a/taAf8ke
***
Thank you for checking out my listing! Maybe not a "grail" monitor for you yet, but read on and see if I can change your mind :)
You may already know about this model and how exceptional it is, or maybe you’re not familiar with it since the Ikegami multiformat HTM models are much more rare and less known than the more widely available Sony L5 PVM and D-series/A-series BVM multiformat monitors. Below I point out several comparisons with the more well-known Sony models as a point of reference, and to highlight what makes this monitor so special and—in my opinion based on having used pretty much any broadcast and evaluation grade professional CRT monitor you can think of—without exaggeration the best pro CRT monitor out there (perhaps tied with the JVC DT-V1710/1910 monitors) for an all-in-one solution for console gaming from retro up to modern HD systems, as well as the best for specific use cases including just 240p.
If you feel like you already know enough about the HTM-1505 and why it deserves to be in "holy grail" status for more people, feel free to skim or skip my writeup/love letter for the model and look at the “Condition” section below for specific details on this particular unit.
Note on model labeling
Ikegami produced this model under slightly different model names at different times and in different regions. Units labeled HTM-1550, HTM-1505, and HTM-1517 are all the same, only varying in production period or original market region.
It’s also worth noting that Ikegami was straightforward with their naming for these models, as the 15XX in the model refers to the actual effective area of ~15’’ (or 14'' with no overscan), unlike most other models that refer to the total tube size where the viewable or effective area is at least an inch smaller (looking at you, Sony). As a desk gamer, I think it's an optimal size that ticks all the boxes (couch gamers who think they need at least 19'', give a desk setup with one of these a try and see the advantages!)
General info
-This is a high-end “BVM-tier” monitor originally made for professional work with both HDTV and SDTV formats in broadcast and video production.
-This monitor has RGB/YPbPr component analogue inputs, HD-SDI/SD-SDI digital inputs, and composite analogue video inputs. (*s-video users, see note below)
-Supports multiple scan rates from 15khz (240p-480i) up to 45khz (HD 720p/1080i). 480p support has been enabled as well.
-This model is of relatively late make, most are from the mid 2000s. This model also features active cooling which significantly increases the lifetime of internal components, so it should serve its new user well for years to come (the fan in this particular unit is extremely silent, unlike those in other units that have had more use or less care likely leading to louder fans, though they can be replaced with replacement silent fans).
- HD signals (720p and 1080i) can be displayed in normal 16:9 scan mode or in a pretty nifty zoomed HD 4:3 mode that fills up the 4:3 screen by overscanning the original picture (sizing/aspect ratio can be adjusted via the preset menu). In the Imgur album with additional photos I show a bunch of HD pictures with both of these scan modes. Also note that any moire seen in the photos is an effect of the camera and not present in the actual monitor's picture.
Key characteristics and comparison to other pro multiformat monitors
Anti-glare, dark-tinted tube
The second photo for this listing was taken with me in a very bright room sitting right in front the screen, to give an idea of how effective the anti-glare is. The absolute best option for non-man cave setups.
While this may be less important for those who use their CRTs in a pitch black room, as someone who often used them in a regular lighted room this is probably my favorite unique attribute of this monitor. Most pro monitors in the same league have very reflective tubes, and especially the Sony monitors with their light gray/green tubes also suffer a lot in their blacks and color accuracy when hit by even a moderate amount of room lighting (even those that have a so-called “anti-glare” layer). Some medical-versions and models like the JVC TM-Hs have dark-tinted tubes which are really good at protecting blacks and colors in brighter rooms, but they are also as reflective as mirrors so you’ll be seeing a lot of yourself and your surroundings during dark scenes.
In contrast (pun intended), this monitor’s tube has the best of both worlds with being made with both dark-tinted and anti-glare glass surface, all while being able to reproduce colors to industry standards. This is unique to the 15’’ model, as both the smaller 10’’ HTM-1005 and larger 19’’ HTM-1990/1917 models had more traditional lighter tubes (though the 19’’ has good anti-glare properties, though not as good as the 15’’). The only other pro monitors that offers both of these advantages are the DT-Vs, though those have the disadvantage of relying on a rather fragile film coating on the tube that can be easily scratched, whereas there is no concern for such damage with this tube’s design. It is really unique among pro CRTs.
As a side note, this tube is slightly curved, with the curvature significantly less pronounced than older dot mask tubes (like the prior SD-only Ikegami TM models), and on the horizontal axis less than the curvature of Sony Trinitrons.
Top level sharpness
The listed TV lines spec for this monitor is 750 TVL for HD 16:9 content, which may mean that TVL for 4:3 content is around 950 TVL, if we use Sony's method of estimating TV line count analogously.
There’s not a lot of certainty about how different manufacturers measured TVL and detail resolving capabilities especially across different tube mask types, but after being able to directly compare this monitor against others in the same spec tier, it’s clear that when displaying for instance a 240p game picture, this monitor is sharper than other HR/hi resolution models. For example, it is significantly sharper than a JVC TM-H150CG which is the same size and rated for 750 TVL (for 4:3), and also sharper than 800 TVL 14’’ HR Trinitron tubes like a PVM-14L5, BVM-D14H5U, etc. in spite of those having smaller ~13’’ effective screens. To my eyes the sharpness is similar to the 19’’ 900~1000 TVL Sony monitors (BVM D20F1U, 20E1U, etc.), while enhanced by being in a smaller screen. Cramming so much TVL/sharpness into a smaller screen also has the advantage especially for 240p and 480i that the gaps between scaliness are less prominent but the picture is equally sharp, and interlaced pictures don’t show the obvious flicker of the larger tubes, resulting in a more organic and pleasing but still extraordinarily sharp picture for both. The photos should give a good idea of what to expect.
Fine pitch dot mask
Like the other HTM models (and similar to the JVC TM-H monitors), this monitor uses a very fine dot mask instead of an aperture grille as used in Sony monitors, which means that it doesn't need two horizontal damper wires that can be visible on AG tubes when bright solid colors are displayed, or when a picture moves in a particular direction and speed. In this regard the tube is comparable to those found in high-end dot mask PC/VGA CRT tubes.
May be needless to say, but by the time this tube was produced (by Panasonic or Chunghwa), “shadow masks” of different types, especially high end fine dot masks like this, had been able to match the brightness and color vibrancy capabilities that previously only Trinitron aperture grille tubes offered as their unique advantages.
Exceptional 480p/720p display
Multiformat monitors in general have the best tubes and are of more recent make compared to SD-only alternatives, which by itself makes them very desirable even if only for SD gaming, but many people also look for them as a way to enjoy 480p/720p gaming from systems that support it. All multiformat monitors support 31khz/45khz inputs, but not all present it with the same level of quality for various reasons. The most popular Sony multiformat models (L5, D-series, A-series) are actually known among those which, compared to different options, are not as great at displaying 480p/720p (though it still looks quite nice on them), often outperformed in these resolutions by common VGA CRT monitors. The HTM-1505 is certainly on par with the latter (as well as with DT-Vs), and better than the Sony monitors.
While 1080i seems to be less explored among gaming enthusiasts, it also absolutely shines on this monitor. Across various multiformat monitors 1080i presentation is a bit more even, though I personally find it most clean and enjoyable on this model as well (with a nod to the larger HTM-1990 and the DT-Vs as arguable equal or a bit better).
Wide sync compatibility with retro game sources
There seem to be some posts online about non-Sony multiformat monitors having “sync issues” with certain retro game sources that output off-spec signals, though most can be solved with an Extron RGB interface in between console and monitor. Most of those posts also seem to be from European users with PAL systems (on which I can’t comment as I don’t have PAL systems to test).
Fortunately, I have confirmed that this model has no such issues with the extensive range of older 240p NTSC/NTSC-J systems I have tested without the need for an Extron interface, including: NES/Famicom, Genesis/Mega Drive (plus SMS/CD/32X), SNES/Super Famicom, Neo Geo, PC Engine, PS1, Saturn, and various arcade games (via MiSTer). Of course later 480i/480p systems like Dreamcast, PS2, Gamecube, Wii, Xbox, and so on also work great. I’ve also tested HD game sources like Xbox360, PS3, PS4 both via their component analogue output or their HDMI output combined with an HDMI to Component converter such as a Portta converter.
*note for s-video users: use a Retrotink-2X (Pro or Multiformat) in passthrough mode, and pair the HDMI output with an HDMI to Component converter, or a Koryu converter.
Professional adjustment and control
The monitor can be controlled and adjusted via front panel and a neat sliding pull-out panel with button and rotary wheel controls. You can expect a similar level of ease of use and control as on other high-end professional monitors. The only less intuitive part about the controls is that the monitor considers 480p to be an “HDTV” format, so 480p pictures are displayed by switching the RGB/YPbPr FM setting to HDTV instead of SDTV in the menu.
Please refer to the operation manual for all control details.
Build quality
These are little tanks, with full cast metal construction including the bezel (whereas pretty much all other pro monitors have plastic bezels). The design and arrangement of internal components is also remarkable, with a very efficient layout and passive cooling heatsinks everywhere along with the fan’s active cooling, all contributing to long term performance and durability.
The safe bet is that these monitors will significantly outlast others not just in functioning without need for servicing but in ability to output a top quality picture. The tradeoff of this kind of industrial-grade build quality is that the monitor is heavier than others of similar size, at around 60lbs, though this weight is still low enough for most people to lift and move without difficulty, especially aided by the handles built into the sides of the monitor.
Reason for selling
Since often people wonder about the reasons for selling monitors like this by their actual users, especially one that has so many good things to say about it, I’ll mention here that I’ve been in the process of slowly clearing my entire CRT collection for a while now, just now getting to my most precious units that I wanted to hang on to for as long as possible.
The reason for clearing my collection is due to some big life changes that force me to leave this hobby for a couple of years, but it’s also a good chance to share what I hand-picked as the best monitors for myself with others who appreciate these wonderful pieces of display tech.
Note on price
I'm setting the BIN price trying to just break even from what it cost me to buy and import this monitor when I originally bought it for my own use, considering fees and shipping costs. Given the selling prices for similar and much less rare multiformat monitors that actually lack some of the advantages this model has, and considering the confirmed condition and thorough testing/calibration this unit has, I see it as a reasonable price. I can consider offers from serious interested buyers though.
Condition
This unit is functionally in excellent condition, with the tube being free of burn-in or other functional issues. While there is no usage hour counter available, the tube is clearly in great shape with no sign of aging in any of the three color guns (see photo of color check pattern), and brightness and contrast are excellent at factory values. Geometry, linearity, and convergence are exceptionally good, as perfect as it gets on a CRT (IMO). Caps on the various boards seem to be in spec still so there is no need to replace any of them (and I’m of the school of thought that preventive recapping is not a good idea on CRTs, and is better to replace caps only in the event that an issue arises).
From what I could gather, this monitor had a single prior owner in a small studio where it received very little use (from what I can check in my testing, that would check out). I replaced the original fan with a silent Noctua fan. I'll include the original fan for completeness.
I have calibrated the monitor, adjusting each aspect and scan mode for each scan rate/resolution. For 240p/480i inputs (which, BTW, the menu labels as 525i), I have set the normal scan mode to be centered and fill up the entire screen for game systems that output a smaller visible raster like SNES and PS2, and the under scan mode to fill up the screen for larger pictures like N64 or DVD players (photo #3 shows the crosshatch pattern on a SNES and the grid pattern on an N64). White point is D65 and D93 on File 1 and 2 respectively, and a slightly adjusted D93 on File 3 that I matched with a reference display.
Cosmetically in very good condition. There are a couple of minor scratches/bumps on the metal shell but overall looks exceptionally well kept, certainly much better than most professional monitors, but it is vintage pro gear after all, so please do not expect cosmetic perfection. The monitor is very clean inside and out as seen in the photos of the internal parts. Also of note is that the plastic handles for the hue, chroma, and brightness knobs were removed, though the knobs can still be used (though you don't want to use them anyway, since the menu values correspond to calibration, and the same goes for contrast--also, hue and chroma adjustment only apply to composite inputs).
Please see all photos to assess cosmetic condition. Note that any moire seen in the photos is an effect of the camera and not present in the actual monitor's picture.
See a lot more photos and video in this Imgur album: https://imgur.com/a/taAf8ke
Also keep in mind that since this is vintage professional gear, while I can offer use advice after purchase (changing settings, calibration, etc.) I cannot promise tech support or guarantees about their future performance. Most issues that develop on CRTs can be fixed via replacing out-of-spec capacitors. I see no sign of this monitor needing any servicing for a long time, but please keep this in mind when deciding to buy this or any CRT.
I have tried to be as detailed as I can, but feel free to message me with any questions prior to buying.
Query terms: professional CRT monitor, PVM, BVM, Multi format