View Full Version : 1976 Quasar found today...


Carmine
10-05-2008, 09:09 PM
Today's estate find... A 1976 Quasar 19" remote set.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Chromacolor2/TVs/SU1HMDAyMDAuanBn.jpg

Satellite Control??? Is that a rip-off of Space Command or what!?!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Chromacolor2/TVs/SU1HMDAxOTcuanBn.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Chromacolor2/TVs/SU1HMDAxOTkuanBn.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Chromacolor2/TVs/SU1HMDAxOTYuanBn.jpg

Plopped it in my garage, right next to my Zenith Chromacolor set, of course a comparison was in order...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Chromacolor2/TVs/SU1HMDAxODkuanBn-1.jpg

To be fair, the Zenith is on a roof antenna, and for some reason the user controls won't adjust this Quasar. I've checked all over for some kind of "anti-tamper" setting and can't find it! Not behind the door, not on the back... What gives? Just one unlabled pot on the back, at the top.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Chromacolor2/TVs/SU1HMDAxODcuanBn.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Chromacolor2/TVs/SU1HMDAxODguanBn.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Chromacolor2/TVs/SU1HMDAxOTEuanBn.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Chromacolor2/TVs/SU1HMDAxOTMuanBn.jpg

Since I couldn't adjust this set, I tried to get the Zenith to look at much like the Quasar as I could, but the reds were still more "red" on the Zenith, although I was surprised at the sharpness of the Quasar set. I think this Zenith has pretty long hours, so that might be affecting sharpness... Maybe those Chromacolor CRTs do degrade eventually...

More shots of the Quasar. BTW, the remote works fine. If I could adjust the user controls, the pictures would be much better in these cell phone pictures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Chromacolor2/TVs/SU1HMDAxOTQuanBn.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Chromacolor2/TVs/SU1HMDAxOTAuanBn-1.jpg

drh4683
10-05-2008, 09:44 PM
Great find! Ive never seen one of those! Thanks for taking pics of the tags. Looks like the model number tag is kinda loose, make sure it doesnt peel off! Those seem to always fall off!
Im curious what the chassis looks like. I see the tag "made in USA of japanese parts" but am still curious if its completely japanese parts, or is there still some USA made moto parts in this set? The remote control still looks motorola, as does the cabinet.
Again, great find! Thats a real rare one.

eberts
10-05-2008, 11:37 PM
Looks like an old hotel TV.
Those old remote hand units were very common at that time.

Carmine
10-06-2008, 05:08 AM
Definately not a hotel set, at least not this particular one... No cigarette burns.

In fact, this set appears to be very low on hours judging by cosmetics and strength of the CRT. I just need to figure out how to unlock the user controls. The only switch I can find is for a feature called "instamatic", which I assume is for the CRT heaters. Pushing it has no effect on the picture.

jstout66
10-06-2008, 05:52 AM
Nice set! IIRC Instamatic IS the auto color control, so you'll have to try the user controls with the button out. I have a 1975 Quasar and that is how the controls work on it. You still should have a limited range of the controls with Instamatic pushed in. It doesn't have a seperate set of hidden controls like a Chromacolor 2. Mine is a non remote set, and not sure if they had Instant On in 1976, but on my 75 there is an interesting feature. With the on/off/volume control pushed all the way in, you can turn the control all the way to the left which disables Instant On. On mine, the picture is a tad soft. I'm pretty sure mine has high hours. Is yours an inline tube? (mine is)

ihmeyers
10-06-2008, 08:22 PM
Quasar by Motorola....Just Slightly Ahead of its Time :D

Very nice set. Great find.