What do you really do with your sets? - Videokarma.org TV - Video

zenith2134 · #1 04-04-2008, 02:41 PM

I mean of course we use them, but as I collect more and more TVs it seems too often they just sit there. Its not what I want to happen, just that I don't watch much tv, and one is sufficient at a time.

andy · #2 04-04-2008, 04:52 PM

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dtuomi · #3 04-04-2008, 05:38 PM

Nothing is easily accessible at my house, unfortunately. But I always seem to be using TV's in my collection for projects of one type or another. I've been using an old Zenith portable (about 1963ish) for a monitor lately for my hard drive recorder. Its B&W, but its fine for a confidence monitor for such a device, and the on screen text the recorder generates is easily readable. You just have to wait for the tubes to warm up.

David

drh4683 · #4 04-04-2008, 05:42 PM

Thats the biggest issue with this hobby. Ive heard the line over and over again "why so many you can only watch one, besides they wont be any good in 2009".

I try to display my sets in a nice presentable way, but like any large collection with space limitations, you cant make everything perfect. Some sets end up getting buried in the back. You know its back there, but nobody will ever know what it is. Most of my sets just get "displayed" after they get repaired. I have three designated TVs that are set up for every day use in different rooms of the house. One day I might decide Id like to use a different set as the "main" TV and they get traded out. I'll use whatever set I decide for a few months then go to something else. I can't say every TV gets that kind of treatment though.

Ive got a nice open spot in the basement where I can move a TV into and be able to use it without altering the "main TV area". I guess its like the "featured TV" viewing area.
Yeah, I know it sounds strange but thats the way it goes with a strange hobby.

zenith2134 · #5 04-04-2008, 06:54 PM

Hey Doug I don't think its a strange hobby-- just a little 'unconventional'.

I try and rotate through a few different tv's too.... even tried using my portacolor in the kitchen but that didnt last long since direct afternoon sunlight washes it out too much.

Right now I'm using my ctc97 as my daily watcher (which I know is sacrilege considering I'm zenith2134) and its all the TV I need at this point. However we both know that it'll get traded out when a bigger or better vintage set passes through. Thats the fun of it for me.

ohohyodafarted · #6 04-04-2008, 07:11 PM

I guess I am one of the fortunate few with lots of space. I work for my brother and he has given me a very nice room with natural maple wood floors that is about 22 by 40 feet. All of my sets are displayed and those that have already been restored are connected and can be watched. I have procured some used closed circuit master antenna components and I will be building an analog antenna feed system on 5 modulated VHS chanels. The system will be fed by 4, D to A converter boxes and a DVD player. The system will be operating on chanels 3,6,8,10,12

The collection is approaching 40 sets now. With the exception of 3 sets (the Halli in my avitar, a 1955 RCA 21", and a SC Chineese) all are Roundies, 6 are color roundies.

Current restoration project is a 1950 Stromberg Carlson TC125 12" porthole.

So much to restore and so little time.

eberts · #7 04-04-2008, 10:22 PM

I used to be TV collector, for historical reasons. I preferred rare and unique TV's in excellant condtion.
Every one would say they wanted a certain TV, when I would obtain one, the green that they said they were willing to pay seemed to dematerialize.
There seemed to be an overabundance of hot air in the hobby.
My psychologist told me that TV men sounded like a bunch of weirdos.
My priest and rabbi told me that TV men sounded like weirdos.
My accountant asked me if I was crazy and a weirdo.
I changed my ways after that, I got my collection down to 2 TV's, stopped associating with some of the most experianced electronic minds in the USA.
I no longer go on treasure hunts or flea markets.
My new life consists of healthy habits like gambling, and procurring married women for pleasure.
Who needs to rot in a basement restoring old TV's.

mr_fixer · #8 04-04-2008, 10:38 PM

Eberts, I think almost every post i have seen of yours, has been negative towards TV's. I am wondering why you are even here. If i am mistaken, please feel free to correct me in the error of my ways. Logan

andy · #9 04-05-2008, 12:32 AM

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kx250rider · #10 04-05-2008, 11:42 AM

I just like to have them... Once I restore one, and know it works, I usually only turn it on every 6 months or a year to keep the caps formed. Otherwise, I don't watch TV except for news in the early morning. And for that, I use a Sony Profeel. I come & go, and wouldn't want to leave any vintage set unattended.

Charles

mattdavala · #11 04-05-2008, 12:33 PM

Howdy!

I have my 66 Zenith roundie which is our daily watcher in the bedroom. My other TV's in my "office" go through a rotation. Every month or two I'll swap them out. My collection is small, living in an apartment has its limitations. So I have four that get used often.

When they are used I use them when I am studying or on the computer. That can be as long as 5 or 6 hours. I know for a 1950's TV its a long time, but I never leave it unattended.

I can't wait to move into a house! I've got a few years, hopefully the airlines will be strong,and then I can re-add my collection again. I have a Dumont RA-105 colony console sitting in Maine waiting for the year for me to finish restoring it. That would become my daily watcher, as long as that 15AP4 is still strong.

Kinda long winded I know, but I really enjoy these Tv's. So, lets keep on collecting!!
Best regards,
Matt Davala

Sandy G · #12 04-05-2008, 12:43 PM

If I were to turn all of my TVs & radios on at once, it could quite possibly cause a rift in the space/time continuum...Not to mention a rather hefty electrical bill. Being a person who practises financial restraint, and furthermore not wanting Species 8472 type creatures loose in our galaxy, I have refrained from trying such shenanigans.

*zenithfan1* · #13 04-05-2008, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy G

If I were to turn all of my TVs & radios on at once, it could quite possibly cause a rift in the space/time continuum...Not to mention a rather hefty electrical bill. Being a person who practises financial restraint, and furthermore not wanting Species 8472 type creatures loose in our galaxy, I have refrained from trying such shenanigans.

I thought I was the only one afraid of that happening!!!LOL!!!!!

mr_fixer · #14 04-05-2008, 02:45 PM

Are you sure? I've heard of several UFO sightings in East Tenn.

Tony V · #15 04-05-2008, 03:30 PM

I do like Doug mentioned where i rotate mine out once in awhile and also have a separate viewing area for the others. I mainly watch dvd's of old tv shows from the era of the tv as there is rarely anything worth watching on the old tv's on regular cable. In the end all my working tv's get played on a regular basis. I also do the rotate sysem with my radio collection.
-Tony