What was Zenith's top-of-the-line 27" set back in 1984. I think it was a Chromocolor, but what was the model number. I know it has video inputs and outputs, wireless remote control, glass cover in front, and stereo channels. I know what is RCA, which is a Dimensia, model FTCK2600. Would you go for Zenith or RCA, in terms of relablility?

It'd definitely NOT be a Chromacolor since the last of those was around '78. And it would actually be a 25". I don't think Zenith came out with the square 27" tubes until 1985.

I saw an '85 27" that used the A68ACT00X, the same tube that was in those bad '90's sets. The '80's version was a better tube. I believe the high end Zenith's from this time period were labeled as an "advanced system 3". There was a "digital system 3" that came out in the late '80's. By '84, Zenith was using a chassis that consisted of a 9-186 high voltage board and a 9-181 main module. These were good sets when they worked. I've found that the power supply and horizontal circuit to sometimes be difficult to troubleshoot. I've given up on many of these because they were dead and I could not find any cause. Some of my TV repair friends didn't care for that chassis, either.

The newest "true" chromacolor (with a delta gun tube and upright chassis) that I have seen was built in November, '79. Some of the later sets still had the "chromatic" auto color button; but, I do not consider these to be true chromacolor sets. These newer sets used the System 3 style chassis. The only difference I ever saw in the "system 3" labeled sets and the cheaper sets was that the system 3's used a photocell to adjust the picture according to room light (color sentry) and the lower end models still had a chromatic button (or nothing at all). The actual chassis was pretty much the same from model to model.

I mean 25", not 27".

radiotvnut, are you trying to imply that the 80s Zeniths are not as reliable as 80s RCAs?

Well, for 1987, there was the introduction of Digital System 3 in the model SC2791P/S, the Advanced System 3, the System 3 and the Custom Series.
That year had the 27" Chromacolor In-Line Hi-Bi electron Gun. I owned a Advanced System 3 version from about 1985, SB2591. Had a perfect picture till 2001 when the house it was in burned.
WOW, does anybody remember the INTEQ series with the 32 & 35" Invar picture tubes? I don't see the word "Zenith" mentioned anywhere in the brochure. Only the Glenview, IL address gives it away. Plus the cover letter sent by Bill Sims has "Zenith" in minute print at the bottom. What year was this? No date on anything.

OK, now I found a 1986 brochure. Getting close to 1984. New 27" picture tube. Advanced System 3, System 3 and Custom series. No luck on a 1984 brochure.

Waltchan, I'm just wondering why you'd need this info....Most of your posts are about this kind of thing.

I actually prefer RCA over Zenith in the 1984-1987 range. RCA kept coming out with innovative things while I feel Zenith kept their 'tried & true' designs for as long as possible. The digital system3 was a disaster IMO...

I mean 25", not 27".

radiotvnut, are you trying to imply that the 80s Zeniths are not as reliable as 80s RCAs?

IMHO, I think the mid '80's RCA's are better than Zenith. I've seen both brands play for years without trouble; but, the RCA's were easier to fix.

I found this completed listing on ebay that looks like something of interest.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1984-Zenith-Space-Command-Television-TV-26-inch_W0QQitemZ250239359237QQihZ015QQcategoryZ73374 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Wow...there's something! I wonder how powerful the audio amp is