View Full Version : New Details on Sony Chromatron


etype2
08-27-2014, 06:56 PM
Jerome found a richly illustrated book detailing the Sony Chromatron sets produced in Japan only. Unfortunately, it is written in Japanese text. If anyone here speaks Japanese, we would appreciate a translation.

What we have learned is, that in addition to the first Sony Chromatron model 19C 70 manufactured in 1965 and 1966, there were three additional models manufactured in 1967 and in Japan only. They are models: 19C 80, 19C 90 and 19C 100.

Noriyoshi Tezuka, in Japan is currently repairing a 19C 100. Here is his blog: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://blog.goo.ne.jp/vrc-tezuka/e/6358bea1903cd38b88716582cf1c1943&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsony%2B19C100%26client%3Dsafari%26hl% 3Den

You can see detailed illustrations and schematics on 12 pages of my website. http://www.visions4.net/journal/wp-content/uploads/CC1-full.jpg

Scroll down to 1965 here: http://www.visions4.net/journal/chromatron/

Scroll further down to 1967 to see additional information on the three 1967 Sony Chromatron models.

All four sets used delta three gun tubes with PDF.

Carmine
08-29-2014, 09:18 AM
One of Paramount’s interest in the Chromatron was for use with a pay TV system in hotels. In June, 1954, a test was done at the Park Sheraton hotel in New York City and 1600 guest rooms were hooked up using the Chromatron with the Telemeter coin set top box.

Shouldn't this mean 1600 chromatron sets are out there someplace? Or at least a few hundred? Were they all destroyed, or did this never actually occur?

etype2
08-29-2014, 10:10 AM
It is unclear if every room had a Chromatron. I doubt it. Lytton industries manufactured the Chromatron for the military. The Chromatron was demonstrated at the Department of Commerce, at the FCC trials and it was demonstrated at the Oakland office of Chromatic Television Laboratory as well as trade shows.

Electronic M
08-29-2014, 08:45 PM
I find that 7" chromatron listed on your page the other maker sold fascinating. I wonder if that was solid state to be that small, and why they never made good on their threat to sell it here?

etype2
08-29-2014, 10:41 PM
I find that 7" chromatron listed on your page the other maker sold fascinating. I wonder if that was solid state to be that small, and why they never made good on their threat to sell it here?

I think you mean the Yaou. It was solid state except for the usual rectifiers tubes during that time period. Yes, kind of a mystery why not marketed here. They said it would be available in 1965. I read that it had very course resolution from the blogger (Noriyoshi) who worked on one several years ago in Japan. We should have a update soon on this set. Jerome is going to scan the portion of the book he has relating to this set.