I answered an ad for an 'antique 20 inch Zenith color tv, works great' the other day. Just got an email back saying the model is HE 735645 or something and that it's a cable-ready set with color sentry and space command. No pics, so I don't know if I should pursue this TV. All I have to go on at this point is that it was given to the seller in 1983 after their grandparents passed away.

It's listed for free, but I was wondering-- If its a cable-ready set, it must be a system 3, correct? Did Zenith use OSD at all in the early 80s sets? I have never come across one but who knows.... Thanks for any help here guys.

its probably an early 80s system 3 with a digital tuner. The CRTs weren't great on them. I would pass if it were me.

I had a '79 19" System 3 that was cable ready up to channel 36 but I can't remember if it had OSD. I'm sure it had the green LED readout.

My uncle had an '80 or '81 Zenith console with OSD and ultrasonic remote. It used the System 3 chassis with the 9-160 power supply.

I had a garbage-find early 19" 80s Zenith back in the early 90s... Found an intermittent short on the board that contained the CRT connection. Once I fixed it, it had a great picture.

It also had OSD and ultrasonic remote.

Could be a good set to fool around with, or use for parts. I find anything that predates the BPC-monitor era (or the Gold-Star era) to be interesting. :D

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Andy, I just guessed she meant it was a 19 inch, but I'm going to call her today and find out. Thanks guys!

I asked about that set too. When the guy said it was a System 3 with Space Command and Color Sentry, my first thought was that it had to be from the early '80s...too new. I'll keep holding out for a ChromaII.

BTW, didn't Color Sentry replace the Chromatic button a couple years after System 3 got rolling?

I just spoke to the guy, he said it has the flip-down keypad and led channel display. Pass. I picked one of those up on trashday, it was an '86 model system 3. Well, maybe next time!

About the Chromatic switch: My 1983 has it, and it doesn't have a photocell. All it does is set the chroma and tint controls to the factory setting. Otherwise, its a great set.

I've seen some later model CCII's (both delta gun and inline versions) with the color sentry switch with the photocell in the center of the button.

I've seen the chromatic button (orange button or toggle switch) used on sets as late as the mid '80's.

And, yes, I remember that membrane keypad from the '80's and early '90's. It's rare to find a good one these days.

Few weeks back, a local thrift had a 1987 console with the flip-down keypad, and the numbers were erratic and needed cleaning. 30 bucks, I passed. Where the heck are all of the 60s/70s Zeniths?? You guys have all the luck!

Tell me about it. I haven't see ONE Zenith from the '70s since I moved out here 2 years ago. Even back in PA they're getting rare. Guess I'll have to move closer to Chicago, since that's where they all seem to be.