Take a GOOD look at the RCA tv in this posting. I Am ALMOST SURE it is "one I have been looking for", an RCA "direct address" set, from about 1976 or 77,one that is only controllable with a remote. I CANNOT see ANY controls on the front and I DEFINITELY see a remote sensor!!

IF it IS one of these....I wonder if someone in the Akron area could pick it up for me, and either bring it to the ETF convention next month, or perhaps meet me near columbus or so. I could make it worth the while!! I have a CTC-16 I would be willing to trade for the pickup of this set, and perhaps a few other things. I replied to the post, but got NO answer so far. IF it IS a direct address set...I WANT IT!! I have TWO remotes for them.



http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/zip/1625439563.html

It may be what you seek; and, the owner sounds like they could be a bit of an a$$hole.

[QUOTE=rca2000;2968936]Take a GOOD look at the RCA tv in this posting. I Am ALMOST SURE it is "one I have been looking for", an RCA "direct address" set, from about 1976 or 77,one that is only controllable with a remote. I CANNOT see ANY controls on the front and I DEFINITELY see a remote sensor!!

IF it IS one of these....I wonder if someone in the Akron area could pick it up for me, and either bring it to the ETF convention next month, or perhaps meet me near columbus or so. I could make it worth the while!! I have a CTC-16 I would be willing to trade for the pickup of this set, and perhaps a few other things. I replied to the post, but got NO answer so far. IF it IS a direct address set...I WANT IT!! I have TWO remotes for them.

I cannot imagine a console like that being direct-address, as this type of television was mostly used in hotels/motels. Moreover, almost all hotel/motel TVs are table models; I can't imagine hospitality establishments putting console TVs in the rooms, except perhaps ritzy areas such as Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood or Los Angeles, New York...that have hotels/motels in which the televisions are consoles in fancy cabinets.

As to home TVs having direct-address tuners, I don't know. Are you possibly referring to "direct access", where the TV has a keypad by which channels are selected directly by pushing two buttons (03 for channel 3, 42 for channel 42, etc.)? Many of these sets had the same keypad on the remote; it wouldn't surprise me a bit if today's flat-panel TVs have remotes with direct-access keypads as well, since this design is now pretty much an industry standard for FPs and was for most remote CRT sets as well. (I have never seen a CRT TV with a remote that didn't have a keypad; most had them, plus channel up/down buttons.) My GE four-function universal remote has such a keypad that lets me go directly from one channel to another, without having to scan through vacant or unwanted channels; moreover, this remote, as well as most universals and original TV remotes, can be programmed to skip vacant channels or channels you do not watch. This is the function of the channel up/down buttons on the remote; when you initially set up the remote, you can program it so the buttons will cause the TV to scan to only the channels you select. That's how I have mine set up. Time-Warner Cable in my area, near Cleveland, has channels 3 (NBC), 5 (ABC), 8 (FOX), 4 (CBS 19), 23 (ION), 10 (PBS 25), 9 (CW 55), 6 (MyTV 43), 18 (61) and 20 (PBS 49). I don't watch 61 (18) because it carries Spanish language programming from Univision, so I programmed my remote to skip that channel as well as all the cable system's other special-interest channels, so all the channel +/- buttons let my set scan to are the locals. However, should I want to watch (for example) C-SPAN 1, which is on TW cable in my area on, IIRC, channel 22, I can select it directly via the keypad; the same goes for all other cable channels not in the TV's programmed scan list. Makes it a lot easier to find the channel I want to watch. :yes:

But in THIS case...the set is a bit different. It was the FIRST direct address set RCA made, and the most unusual thing about it is that it had NO controls on the set to turn it on or off, or change channels. The large remote(and ONLY the remote), did all of that. And they were NOT hotel sets, either, just the top-of-the-line RCA sets at the time, with OSD when that was pretty much unheard of. They have the CTC-81AD chassis, the first "colortrak" version. yes, the remote has a keypad to directly enter the channels, as you say...but ONLY the remote. The Magnavox STAR,out at the same time frame, DID have controls on the set too.

Wasn't that the big upright chassis that was built like a tank and folded down for service?

Anyway, I hope this one works out for you. Keep us posted.

Yes, it is. Mostly a vertical chassis, and the last one RCA made with a transformer, and this one is a ferroresonant one. modular, with BIG modules.

Take another look at the post. On the left side, on top of the set....I THINK I see one of the DA remotes, that black, oblong thing. Is that not a direct address remote??. I am almost SURE this is a DA set!!

The posting is gone, but by all the discussion, I'd say it's probably the CTC-81 with no controls on the set. I have a couple of those remotes; the ones with soft black vinyl upholstery on them. Great TV, but heck-of-inconvenient when the remote isn't in hand!

Charles

The posting is gone, but by all the discussion, I'd say it's probably the CTC-81 with no controls on the set. I have a couple of those remotes; the ones with soft black vinyl upholstery on them. Great TV, but heck-of-inconvenient when the remote isn't in hand!

Charles

"Inconvenient", IMHO, is an understatement. Without the remote and with no controls whatsoever on the TV itself, the set is utterly useless. To be perfectly honest, I don't see why RCA designed this set so that there is no way to use it without the remote--unless this was an advertising stunt or just an idea they wanted to test to see if it would sell. I have a lot of respect for RCA, since the company pioneered color TV in the 1950s; I have one of their sets (made by Thomson but bearing the RCA block logo), not to mention that my folks' first TV was a used 1954 RCA Victor console and that I myself owned at least one RCA Victor TV (I had a metal-cabinet RCA Victor 17" table model I rescued from the trash; the set worked right away and lasted several years), and a stereo phonograph by the same manufacturer. However, I cannot imagine for the life of me why RCA would even think of designing and marketing a TV that was only usable with the remote. If you had the remote, fine and dandy. You could use the TV and activate all its functions, and all was well. However, if the remote got lost or broken, or the batteries went dead, you now had a TV that, as I mentioned above, was worse than useless for anything except, perhaps, as a storage area for knick-knacks and the like. I wonder how many people thought the TV was broken beyond repair when the remote went West, and simply bought a new 19" (or whatever size) table model, setting it atop the cabinet. This was a very common practice in the '60s and '70s when a very old TV finally bit the dust and was found to have a serious and/or expensive problem, such as a bad flyback, power transformer or CRT. I had an uncle who did just that when his 23-inch Sylvania b&w console TV went West--he purchased a new (at the time, late-'60s-early seventies) Admiral color portable, put it atop the Sylvania, and enjoyed it for years afterward. I don't think he missed the old Sylvania b&w one bit after seeing the picture on the color set, which was very good even with rabbit ears (he and my aunt lived in the city of Cleveland, not far from the city's three [at that time, late sixties-seventies] TV stations).


However, if it is possible to use these direct-address TVs with a generic universal remote, you can get some use out of the set, so all is not lost even if you do lose or damage the original remote. Even though this TV has a "direct address" tuner, I am almost sure any universal remote can operate the set's basic functions--on/off, channel +/-, volume +/-, and mute, which is all most people need anyhow. You may not have access to some or all of the TV's fancy features, but at least you will be able to use the set as it was intended to be used.

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I think the oldest IR remote set that I've seen was a little 13" Sampo from around '79. Zenith and RCA still used the ultrasonic remotes until around '80-'81.

Maybe those control panel-less RCA's were an early attempt at "parental control". If you didn't want your kids watching TV, just hide the remote from them.

I was only able to get hold of the poster ONCE. They told me "there are controls behind the door, but i am just SURE they mean the ones for the time and programing. I just KNOW this is a DA set. I let them know I was sure it was what I want....and I wanted it. a couple of days passed....no response....So, a couple of days ago ...I wrote once more to the only email I got from them...and inquired as to if the set was still available, I wanted it, and might even be willing to pay a bit, if that was necessary. Still......nothing!!!!

At least...I saved a picture of it........

could you post a pic of the set? the craigslist ad is down, and I would like to see what this type of set looks like. it sounds pretty novel if the tv didnt even have an on board on/off switch =)

Well...here is the one I was able to save. It does NOT seem to come through well, but THIS is the set I am nearly SURE is an RCA "direct address" tv. Notice how there are NO controls or such on the tv, notice the remote pickup....and the VERY thin "control door" next to the CRT bezel. It is WAAAAYYY to thin....to have ANY sort of display or even channel controls behind it. This set is OSD. Not too mention..... I HAVE the RCA technical manual for the CTC-74/81 including the DA version....and aside for ONE VERY SMALL thing, this set looks EXACTLY like the one in the manual, other than a somewhat different cabinet design, but STILL very 'upscale" like the one in the manual.

The ONE thing different about this one...the "RCA LOGO" is in a different place, in the manual, it is over the remote pickup, on THIS one--it is about 2/3 from the top of the control panel, which should only hide time set, channel fine tuning programming, and master power controls, as well as "secondary" controls like brightness and contrast. Color and tint are NOT on the front--remote only-same with channels, power and volume.

ALSO--try and take a look near the front left top of the set. I THINK I see the large, padded, oblong RCA direct address remote there!!

there is one of these sets right here in columbus ohio.it is still in operation.heavy vertical chassis like the colortrak,solid wood cabinet that is just beautiful.the crt went in the early 90s.we replaced with a sylvania and it is still going strong.the owner has the remote strapped to his chair!other than the crt,no repairs!i tried to purchase this set the last time i saw it,(a year or two ago),but no dice!i can see why this one is so desirable.might be the best rca solid state ever made.i like the osd.orville said if he passes on,i get it in the will.healthy as a horse.80 years old and can outwork any young man.i ll pass away first!

I wonder if you were to make contact with the local Best Buy delivery guys if you could get them to watch out for a set like that when they do their delivery/haul away runs.

John

Just saw a set on our local CL, and was wondering if it is a direct access. Pix looks too new tho, but thought it was an interesting screen shot. I think I remember the direct access sets. They weren't made very long because I think RCA realized it was very POOR marketing/design attempt. I remember we had a service calls on one of those and you really can't do anything without the remote. P.I.T.A if you lost it or the battery went dead. I don't think RCA was trying to "cheapie out" on it as it was a high-end set, I believe they thought it would appeal in an era of the "clean look". If I can get the pix to post, here is the set I saw.

Just saw a set on our local CL, and was wondering if it is a direct access. Pix looks too new tho, but thought it was an interesting screen shot. I think I remember the direct access sets. They weren't made very long because I think RCA realized it was very POOR marketing/design attempt. I remember we had a service calls on one of those and you really can't do anything without the remote. P.I.T.A if you lost it or the battery went dead. I don't think RCA was trying to "cheapie out" on it as it was a high-end set, I believe they thought it would appeal in an era of the "clean look". If I can get the pix to post, here is the set I saw.

That looks like a last-generation Dimensia system. CTC-140?

Charles

I emailed about it. It's on our "free" section.
Still no reply. What is it with people not answering emails on CL or deleting post when gone?
Here's another picture of it.

Yes, I think I have seen one back in 1976 It had a DAP (Direct Address Package)
It was a 25" model must be a ctc 81.

When you turn the TV off the pic tube flashes "funny"

Oh , I almost forgot, I have an RCA set with an identical chassis to that one above, but NO DAP I turned mine off the pic tube also flashes "funny"

The RCA set being discussed here, with full remote control of all TV functions, seemed like a preview of things to come later in the '80s and beyond, as all TVs today have the same type of full-function remote, many if not most sets also having on-screen displays of all control settings, channel and time. However, when the TV in this post was new, "total control" of a television set via the remote was itself a new idea, at least for RCA. Magnavox may have actually been the first TV manufacturer to incorporate "total" remote control into its televisions, as its fabulous 3-way color "theatre" console TVs of the late '60s had such remotes (the "Phantom" series) that would operate not only the TV, but the record changer and possibly other functions of the stereo as well. However, I think the Magnavox remotes only operated the basic functions of the television itself (on-off, volume, mute, channel up-down), with manual adjustments at the set for tint, color, brightness and contrast. The "total control" remote system was also, in many ways (so I have read), a technician's nightmare to repair; in fact, the automatic reject function of the record changer may well have been one of the most complicated mechanisms in the set. My best guess is that most people enjoyed the function while it worked; however, when it eventually quit, they just forgot about it and operated the changer manually, using the controls on the motor board.

BTW, I believe RCA's "direct address" console television was simply a short-lived project undertaken by the company to see how well such a set would sell on the luxury-TV market in the late 1960s. I also believe very strongly, as I have mentioned in a previous post, that it was a terrible mistake on RCA's part not to have included any controls whatsoever on the front panel of the set; this made the television totally unusable if the remote got lost, broken or its batteries went dead. This alone may have been one of several reasons why this particular set did not sell well.

It is little or no wonder, IMHO, that RCA sold so few of these sets, and that it went out of production by 1970 or so if not sooner. They were very likely priced well out of reach of the average consumer of the period; moreover, the total dependence of the TV on the remote for all control functions almost certainly did not sit well with most owners. I can see some obscure offshore company designing and marketing cheaply-built TV sets which are usable only with the remote (in fact, I think there may be at least one offshore entity today making TVs devoid of any front-panel controls), but for crying out loud, not pre-Thomson RCA.

I emailed about it. It's on our "free" section.
Still no reply. What is it with people not answering emails on CL or deleting post when gone?
Here's another picture of it.

I agree that it's a CTC140, at the oldest. Could be as late as a CTC169.

And, I agree with you about CL. Between my wanted ad's generating mostly spam emails, most sellers thinking junk is worth a fortune, and sellers who behave as you describe is the reason I rarely even look at CL anymore.

I have one of the Magnavox 3 way consoles with the total remote that operates the record changer. It doesnt appear too complex, as the changer mechanism is just a basic micromatic plus a solenoid. When activated by the remote, the solenoid engages the reject mechanism. So far the one on mine works like a charm.

It also offers on/off and volume adjust for the stereo. However, I find its usefulness a bit limited since the volume is adjustable only in 3 steps, and the final step being off. The tv works that way too.

I always wondered if it puts wear on the electronics turning everything on then off if one wanted to go from the lowest volume to the hightest volume. I think they should have made the volume continously variable- I dont know why they couldnt since the remote has functions for tint and color, which physically rotates those tint and color knobs in either direction.

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Yes, i just got out the service manual (RCA CTC-74 with DAP) that contains the Direct Address Package which is a very complicated system control module. The schemaic is exactly Four page long and may contains up to nine p.c. boards