Isn't it amazing the things people throw away. Especially when it is also for sale on craigslist.

wichita.craigslist.org/ele/3667197560.html

Of course its a Magnavox.

Look at what someone threw out in the carport. Must have got a new flat screen for Christmas. 299 at walmart. I was told to pick it up. Where not even at home and a rain storm was coming.

Curtis Mathes M2662RH, was 1600 in 1986.
Filthy when i got it and paint spots. Dusted it off.
Plugged it in.
Look at it now. Even has a working radio.

Am i the only one finding things in the trash where i thought i would never see them?

Yes, I've saved a number of sets out of the trash, watching one of them now, big, great color picture.

I was out trying out the new transmission in my car, when I came across a nice looking 36" BPC JVC TV with the remote sitting on top. For some unknown reason, I stopped and picked it up. Took it home.

I opened it up, and it looks like brand new inside. No dirt or dust of any kind. I re-soldered the flyback, and the typical problem areas, just in case, and fired it up. Perfect picture/sound. Twin tuners, and picture in picture. Brand new in 1995.

Beside where it was sitting was a brand new flatscreen box. I knew the rest of the story.

This is my first 36" TV, ever. I'm sure glad that I had a friend riding with me to help pick it up... if it had not worked, he would have taken it for the copper in the yoke.

I opened it up, and it looks like brand new inside. No dirt or dust of any kind. I re-soldered the flyback, and the typical problem areas, just in case, and fired it up. Perfect picture/sound. Twin tuners, and picture in picture. Brand new in 1995.

Beside where it was sitting was a brand new flatscreen box. I knew the rest of the story.
Argh! Why can't people be happy with what they already have? I don't replace something until it's BROKEN!

Argh! Why can't people be happy with what they already have? I don't replace something until it's BROKEN!

Well, there are several valid answers to that.

1. People want a wide-screen high definition TV to be able to view BluRay and High Definition cable, satellite and cable programming at its best.

2. People need a TV that will tune current over-the-air digital material.

3. People don't want to have to carry such heavy TV in for service, assuming there is local service still available.

4. People want a TV that can display 3-D content.

...

I blame at least some of this on the DTV transition. The early announcements that digital TV would eventually take over from NTSC television ("Your old TV will go black after February 17 [later June 19], 2009") had people believing that their old TVs would not work, period, once the new standards took effect. This was before DTV converter boxes came on the market; in those days, the only way to continue watching TV when the analog stations went off the air was to get a flat screen. Those sets were extremely expensive in the beginning, so not everyone had one or could afford one immediately following the transition. Some people even went without TV when they found out their old sets wouldn't work anymore with the new digital signals; of course, in many cases the old TV went out for the trash.

There were many predictions made to the effect that people would throw out their old TVs as soon as the transition was announced. I had visions of televisions, most of which were still working perfectly well, showing up on tree lawns and curbs all across the United States, after this announcement was made. Didn't see any old sets out for the trash in my own neighborhood, a very small town 35 miles east of Cleveland, but I bet in the greater Cleveland area perfectly good, working TVs were put out one after another. These people probably did not realize that the analog stations would remain on the air for at least a year after the transition.

i don't think they should have shut the analog signal off for at least ten years. I think it was the tv industries way of making everyone start over. The signals are not that good, i live in a rural area and we only get a few channels. Had to go to satellite. Which cost money of course. Now you have all these tvs that are useless unless you buy an expensive converter. Makes small portables obsolete.

I know around here the signal was horrible when they first switched but after awhile some of the stations increased their power and moved back to VHF so it's not too hard to get Chanel's anymore

Here in the Western NC mountains, the signal has to be perfect, or I get lots of pixels and jerky sound. I'm stuck with it for now. Can't do anything else.

Look at what someone threw out a year ago. Took me that long to find all the parts for The D board or power board. His wife bought a flat screen and just wanted it out if the house. Its a Sony KV40XBR800. Cost him 4000 new in 2002.

I know around here the signal was horrible when they first switched but after awhile some of the stations increased their power and moved back to VHF so it's not too hard to get Chanel's anymore
I don't think they went back to VHF.
I do think, they increased their power. :thmbsp:

In some parts of the country they never turned uhf off.

Realigned convergance on Sony KV-40XBR800. Now it looks like new.

Look at what someone threw out in the carport. Must have got a new flat screen for Christmas. 299 at walmart. I was told to pick it up. Where not even at home and a rain storm was coming.

Curtis Mathes M2662RH, was 1600 in 1986.
Filthy when i got it and paint spots. Dusted it off.
Plugged it in.
Look at it now. Even has a working radio.Wow a radio also???

She is beautiful buddy!!!

People are fools and dont realise what they are getting rid of!!!

Wait, back up the train...somebody curbed an XBR800?? For the love of...

I lusted over those sets when they cost $4k new..I finally got one a few years ago on Craigslist. $240, clean, low hours, original remote. I'm still looking for the original SU-40XBR8 stand, and a replacement front control panel door/cover. I love this TV; probably the best I've ever owned...

Sure did His wife bought a flat panel and wanted it out, He did not want to but she insisted. Took a year to get all the parts and straighten it out. Had that pesky chip problem among others. Is beautiful now.

I know I won't be getting rid of mine until it is well and truly beyond repair! :yes:

I don't know why, but I have been finding an increasing number of working sets in the trash. Just last week I saw a perfectly working 50-inch Toshiba TheaterView rear projector get destroyed for scrap...

I'm keeping my Samsung in my sig. I will keep it till the tube wears out. Then I'll replace the tube and recap the set.

I want to be able to pass it down. It was my first big CRT TV repair and I'm proud of it.

Just picked up a Zenith console off the curb 4 blocks from home. 23" CRT, single varactor tuner from July of '82. Not one single scratch or ding in the cabinet. I'll check out if it works or not tomorrow.

I guess no one appreciates quality anymore.

I guess no one appreciates quality anymore.

It's not that. People are driven by the least expensive idea, and have been brainwashed into thinking that even if they buy a more expensive version of what they are looking at, it's still going to break down and die right after the warranty runs out, so why waste the money?

I'm from an era when a washing machine could easily last 30 years. Same for a refrigerator. Those days are gone now.

Maytag of Iowa used to advertise the long-life of their washing machine designs. That changed in the mid to late 1980's, when they went to a plastic transmission.

I own a GE refrigerator that was built in 1966. It's keeping soft drinks ice cold. I also have a Whirlpool washer and dryer pair built in 1970. They are used daily, with no issues in over ten years. Parts are no longer available for them from Whirlpool. This is their way to get rid of them and make us buy something new that might last 8 years, if really lucky.

Was it Maytag that used to run the "lonely repair man" ads?...where Maytag machines were so reliable the repairman never heard from anyone.

Nobody seems to advertise "durability" anymore....like the Gorilla beating up the suitcases and stuff. Now it's just "latest and greatest"....and no longer "you won't buy another one for a long time"

I love seeing people when they buy a house replacing the appliances because they are NOT stainless steel.

Right. Maytag had the lonely repairman series of commercials. My mom has a 1980 Maytag pair that has never had service of any kind.

Today the repairman is lonely because it ain't worth having today's junk fixed... :(

I repaired my kitchen microwave. It's a 1988 Sharp unit with convection cooking, and a turntable. Replaced the magnatron and capacitor and diode for $66.

I guarantee that this unit will outlast any new model that I could have bought instead.

First and only repairs ever done, too. Now, back to our topic.

I did a little time in appliances. My sister asked what washer to buy.
I told her a 30 year old Maytag. She didnt & regrets it.....
Redid kitchen. New DW & MWO. Both weigh about a third of
the old Kitchen Aid & Quasar. Flimsy crap.
Bought a new box 5 yrs ago. Amana (whirlpool) defrost heater
opened. Part NLA at 3 yrs. Called the cat I got it from. He
brought over some others & got one to fit. Bring back the
mom & pop stores, big box wont do that for you. He also
told me whirlpool quietly bought back all the extended waranties
on mine & others. Most of the times its best to keep the
old stuff going if you can.
Enuf

73 Zeno

Wait, back up the train...somebody curbed an XBR800?? For the love of...

I lusted over those sets when they cost $4k new..I finally got one a few years ago on Craigslist. $240, clean, low hours, original remote. I'm still looking for the original SU-40XBR8 stand, and a replacement front control panel door/cover. I love this TV; probably the best I've ever owned...

Abt 5 yrs ago customer came in & wanted to dispose of a big Sony &
stand. Figured a 35". Boss told him $35 + $15 for the stand. A few
minutes later I look up & see a 40" XBR on the matching base.
It was hit by lightning. Asked the customer if he wanted us to
estimate it, he said no that he didnt want it, insurance paid
for it anyways. Usually lightning will destroy a modern set.
This time it was just the fuse................
A few phone calls & it was gone, $1500 cash & carry.

BTW when moving one of those beasts strap it to board.
Too much pressure on the bottom will cave it in. Happend to
a shop in my area. We sold a few of them & had a moving co.
put it in the room first then go set it up.

73 Zeno

I repaired my kitchen microwave. It's a 1988 Sharp unit with convection cooking, and a turntable. Replaced the magnatron and capacitor and diode for $66.

I guarantee that this unit will outlast any new model that I could have bought instead.

First and only repairs ever done, too. Now, back to our topic.

We have a Sharp unit like yours as well, ours is from 1985, we got it just after I graduated high school that year and it is still in use. My aunt gave us her 1999 Sony 35" trinitron in 2009 and it died a few months ago so we had to bring back the old 1982 Zenith System 3 (9-181 series) to frontline service. We were going to buy new flatscreen but I'm back looking for work and Mom is fighting breast cancer so the 1982 Zenith will have to do. Back to the microwave, if that unit goes and can't be fixed, we have a similar 1987 model on standby. :)

Well, there are several valid answers to that.

1. People want a wide-screen high definition TV to be able to view BluRay and High Definition cable, satellite and cable programming at its best.

2. People need a TV that will tune current over-the-air digital material.

3. People don't want to have to carry such heavy TV in for service, assuming there is local service still available.

4. People want a TV that can display 3-D content.

I do see your point on how heavy CRT sets are, especially above 25 inches, but still you can get great service with a few retrofits. The dead trinitron I have is a monster. My 1982 Zenith does Blu-Ray pretty well. ;)

My 36" Trinitron is starting to get a LITTLE tired, the whites kinda cycle from bluish-greenish to pinkish, & it COULD be a little sharper, but being I'm an iconoclastic bastard, I'll hold out getting one of those infernal Video Display Devices-One HATES to dignify them by calling 'em "Televisions"-for as long as possible...

IPeople are driven by the least expensive idea, and have been brainwashed...Your right,they have been brainwashed........ TO THINK TRASH IS BETTER THAN ACTUAL BETTER THINGS THEY HAD BEFORE!!!

My 36" Trinitron is starting to get a LITTLE tired, the whites kinda cycle from bluish-greenish to pinkish, & it COULD be a little sharper, but being I'm an iconoclastic bastard, I'll hold out getting one of those infernal Video Display Devices-One HATES to dignify them by calling 'em "Televisions"-for as long as possible...


I've got a 27" Sony set that got hit by lightning when it was just out of warranty. The chassis was ruined. I stored the set in my garage for 21 years, until my 27" Sony EXR set CRT went weak. I swapped out the CRT's and now, I have a brand-new looking Sony that is 22 years old!

We have a Sharp unit like yours as well, ours is from 1985, we got it just after I graduated high school that year and it is still in use. My aunt gave us her 1999 Sony 35" trinitron in 2009 and it died a few months ago so we had to bring back the old 1982 Zenith System 3 (9-181 series) to frontline service. We were going to buy new flatscreen but I'm back looking for work and Mom is fighting breast cancer so the 1982 Zenith will have to do. Back to the microwave, if that unit goes and can't be fixed, we have a similar 1987 model on standby. :)

NowhereMan 1966:

I'm very sorry to hear that your mother is ill. I hope she gets well soon. I've always enjoyed reading your posts, especially the ones about your 1982 Zenith TV.

We had a Sharp microwave that was purchased new in 1986. It was a great unit, but my mother gave it away to my aunt when she needed a microwave after her old one quit working properly. We bought a new one to replace the Sharp, and a couple of others along the way - all of which have had significant problems. I wish we had held on to that 1986 Sharp.

I've got a 27" Sony set that got hit by lightning when it was just out of warranty. The chassis was ruined. I stored the set in my garage for 21 years, until my 27" Sony EXR set CRT went weak. I swapped out the CRT's and now, I have a brand-new looking Sony that is 22 years old!

Interesting. How old are the sets themsevles?

Interesting. How old are the sets themsevles?

The EXR set was built in 1991, and the lightning damaged set was built in 1993. The two CRT's just happened to be identical... right down to the yokes. I swapped them out, and only had to lightly touch up the convergence. Looking good!!

Very nice!!

Im proud of you for not getting rid of the 1993 unit!!!

I hope ya have many more fine years with that sony bud :)

My CTC-15 was a curbside find. It has worked fine for 6 years now. All I needed to do when I got it was clean the cabinet up a bit.

Excellent....... I hope she continues to shine :)

The only reason I did not take the rear projection Big Screen my neighbor was giving away years ago was because I could not play static screen video games on it (Tetris, Pac-Man, Pong....the like).

I'm finding, the older I get, the less I want to replace the stuff I have. I spent all of my 20's living off of people's "old junk" that was often 15+ years old and still worked like new (My Mitsubishi CS1984R 20"console and my portable Daytron Dt-505 B&W set being two of them), all of that "old junk" still works and functions (well...except the Mistu, but I'm fixing that). When I go out to buy something new, I always look it over for build quality, and 9 times out of 10, it NEVER passes. Either the plastic is too weak, or I find out it develops a problem after awhile due to poor design choices, or that I can already grab one at Goodwill used for $10.00.

People tend to also throw away things with minor to practically pointless problems. I found an Epiphone Les Paul guitar in the trash! All that was wrong with it? A hole between the volume and tone controls with a rock glued onto it.....that and someone poured beer down the body. My friend was about to chuck his 3.5HP Craftsman mower as goodwill would not take it, I got it and found all was wrong was the carburetor jet was clogged with varnished gas. Just tore down a quarter of a lot full of 2 foot tall foilage with it yesterday. It feels sometimes that I could live comfortably posession-wise from dumpster diving and thrift shops.

I've always wondered why you couldn't play video games on a CRT projection set when a regular CRT was apparantly ok.

I use to find great dumpster stuff all the time, but not so much these days.

I've always wondered why you couldn't play video games on a CRT projection set when a regular CRT was apparantly ok.

It's because the picture tubes in a rear projection TV require a much more powerful electron beam than on a standard TV from what I understand.

A friend of mine has a horror story about the time they hooked up the 8-bit Nintendo to a Projection Big Screen and got in big trouble with daddy because the Super Mario Bros. scoreboard was permanently etched into the top and totally visible during the Superbowl right after.

I've got a 27" Sony set that got hit by lightning

Speaking of Sony, saw an article in the paper last week that Sony isn't making a profit on their electronics anymore, and might sell that division off. If Mitsubishi buys them, I hope they don't call the new operation "Son-of-abitchi"... :D (Running, ducking for cover...) :D

It's because the picture tubes in a rear projection TV require a much more powerful electron beam than on a standard TV from what I understand.

A friend of mine has a horror story about the time they hooked up the 8-bit Nintendo to a Projection Big Screen and got in big trouble with daddy because the Super Mario Bros. scoreboard was permanently etched into the top and totally visible during the Superbowl right after.

I had luck at one point, with inputing a white screen on a rear projection set with very faint burns in the screen from a game. I let it run with the white screen for about 5 hours, and eventually, the burn marks went away. This worked 3 times out of 10 for me. Depended on the maker of the CRT's. and how severe the burns were. I used to hate replacing CRT's on those big sets.

Speaking of Sony, saw an article in the paper last week that Sony isn't making a profit on their electronics anymore, and might sell that division off. If Mitsubishi buys them, I hope they don't call the new operation "Son-of-abitchi"... :D (Running, ducking for cover...) :D

I can remember when Sony was the hot-stuff with the trinitron line. It took a few years, but the other manufacturers finally caught up with them.

Sony did the same thing with SDDS digital movie theatre sound systems. They weren't making the monster profits they thought they should, so they dropped the system flat, leaving owners of the SDDS systems to fend for themselves.

Right now, Sony is building the digital theatre systems that is helping to wipe out 35mm film in theatres. The first generation digital projectors are already out of date, and don't like updates. I'm sure Sony will drop them flat, too, one day.

NowhereMan 1966:

I'm very sorry to hear that your mother is ill. I hope she gets well soon. I've always enjoyed reading your posts, especially the ones about your 1982 Zenith TV.

We had a Sharp microwave that was purchased new in 1986. It was a great unit, but my mother gave it away to my aunt when she needed a microwave after her old one quit working properly. We bought a new one to replace the Sharp, and a couple of others along the way - all of which have had significant problems. I wish we had held on to that 1986 Sharp.

Thanks for the well wishes. I'm also looking for work so money is tight, before that, we were considering an LED TV. Still at least I am with Mom since I have to take her to different doctors but it is rough. At least the Zenith is free, bought and paid for. ;) The Zenith does have a couple of small issues, for about the last 8 years or so, the pic gets a red tint to it but it flickers back, it does it a bit and then for months it is fine so we might have a tricky capacitor in there. Sharp did make some good microwaves back then.

Speaking of Sony, saw an article in the paper last week that Sony isn't making a profit on their electronics anymore, and might sell that division off. If Mitsubishi buys them, I hope they don't call the new operation "Son-of-abitchi"... :D (Running, ducking for cover...) :D

You gave me my big laugh of the day! :D

Right now, Sony is building the digital theatre systems that is helping to wipe out 35mm film in theatres.Yes and i think its sad...... DIGITAL VIDEO/AUDIO does not look as good as analogue does in my opinion...

I will not goto a theater anymore because of this.... (1 reason anyway)

I found a theater that uses 70 millimeter film. They thought that they could make us all buy a plastic picture frame and hang it on the wall.Till it fell off anyway. The world has become a very greedy place.

You guys want to know what I really think?
Digitization of old programme material is bullshit, pure and simple.
1. If it was digital in its original form. then it is fine to display that 'sampled' content in the digital realm.
2. Any content originally recorded in the analogue realm, shall persist in that realm, whether the corporations like it or not.

It is up to the VTR/tape/vidicon camera/CRT guys to maintain a healthy library of " REAL " content.
Same goes for HIFI Audio...
digital will never suffice versus grooved media and magnetic tape.

If I truly appreciated PCM audio and DVD video at first, I would NEVER want to be in the a/v community today.
Thanks,
zenith2134.

I found a theater that uses 70 millimeter film. They thought that they could make us all buy a plastic picture frame and hang it on the wall.Till it fell off anyway. The world has become a very greedy place.

What exactly do you mean?

This thread makes me happy that I'm not the only one who thinks this way. I could EASILY have all the major electronics and appliances I'd ever need from the trash and thrift stores. I'd traditionally say except for modern game consoles, but it's come to the point where even those are so disposable that I could find them without too much trouble.

You guys want to know what I really think?
Digitization of old programme material is bullshit, pure and simple.
1. If it was digital in its original form. then it is fine to display that 'sampled' content in the digital realm.
2. Any content originally recorded in the analogue realm, shall persist in that realm, whether the corporations like it or not.

It is up to the VTR/tape/vidicon camera/CRT guys to maintain a healthy library of " REAL " content.
Same goes for HIFI Audio...
digital will never suffice versus grooved media and magnetic tape.

If I truly appreciated PCM audio and DVD video at first, I would NEVER want to be in the a/v community today.
Thanks,
zenith2134.
Good thing that a lot of us have our "specialties", we can cover more bases that way. I'm glad I'm not what one would call an audiophile because that is one expensive hobby. Best to let those with the necessary means take care of that. In regards to audio, I'm pleased with 8-tracks. Someone has to be. :)

I have to agree with you I don't know why so many people trashed Good Working CRT Televisions for the Flat Screens? As for tv signals, I live in a rural area and we get real good reception through the use of our converter box. We get stations now that we couldn't get through Analog. The closest station to us is 90 miles. We getsome stations that are over 100 miles away. I didn't buy and expensive antenna either. I bought one for around $38 and put it up on a tv pole. I also installed a rotor and control box and that helps alot with getting the best signals. I won't subscribe to satellite tv as it can become way too expensive. Also, don't watch that much tv anyways. I would love to see the day when CRT Consoles and TableTops come back but I am sure that isn't very likely. My folks always had a Console TV and I plan to keep using one as well. The only difference with theirs and my console is they didn't have to worry about the little converter box to select the channels. By the way, we still have that TV that I grew up with and it still works great. We had to have a new main board(module) put in April of this year, but other than that we had never done anything to it. It did get used alot too as when my sister was living at home she always had the TV on so it seemed!!!

I like 8 tracks too. Also, have to agree with digitization crap. I think it would be nice too if they could have left things they way they were.

The digital thing, just a bunch of suit dummies wanting more cash.

I have to agree with you I don't know why so many people trashed Good Working CRT Televisions for the Flat Screens? As for tv signals, I live in a rural area and we get real good reception through the use of our converter box. We get stations now that we couldn't get through Analog. The closest station to us is 90 miles. We getsome stations that are over 100 miles away. I didn't buy and expensive antenna either. I bought one for around $38 and put it up on a tv pole. I also installed a rotor and control box and that helps alot with getting the best signals. I won't subscribe to satellite tv as it can become way too expensive. Also, don't watch that much tv anyways. I would love to see the day when CRT Consoles and TableTops come back but I am sure that isn't very likely. My folks always had a Console TV and I plan to keep using one as well. The only difference with theirs and my console is they didn't have to worry about the little converter box to select the channels. By the way, we still have that TV that I grew up with and it still works great. We had to have a new main board(module) put in April of this year, but other than that we had never done anything to it. It did get used alot too as when my sister was living at home she always had the TV on so it seemed!!!

Today, I was at an estate sale and they tried to give me a mid '90's non-working 32" upright RCA home theatre console (probably a CTC169). The cabinet was in good shape and the instruction book was on top of the TV; but, I turned it down. Had I taken the set, it would have sat here from now on because it seems that no one around wants CRT TV's anymore and they certainly don't want consoles. Currently, I have a 26" RCA console (CTC177) at the local consignment shop and it's been there for two months with no takers. This shop always has a full parking lot; so, it's not because they don't have customers. It's just that people have gotten so snobby about what they'll own and if it's not brand new modern technology; then, they don't want it. Oh, talk about the embarrassment of having the guys come over on Sunday afternoon to watch the game on a 20 year old floor model TV. Most people around here seem to associate console TV's as highly outdated and the only people who still use them are "trailer park trash" and people who live in public housing.

Recently, I advertised a 20" RCA with jacks for $20 and a 27" Magnavox for $30 on a local facebook buy/sell page with zero interest; but, let someone advertise some POS Funai-built flatscreen and people are fighting over it. I'm a rat's behind away from not bringing home anymore TV's, unless it's something for me. I'm to the point where I'm tired of dragging this crap home, fixing it, and having it sit here from now on because everyone has turned into a snob. Used to, I could sell any kind of working TV I got my hands on because people didn't care - they just wanted something with picture and sound.

Recently, I advertised a 20" RCA with jacks for $20 and a 27" Magnavox for $30 on a local facebook buy/sell page with zero interest; but, let someone advertise some POS Funai-built flatscreen and people are fighting over it. I'm a rat's behind away from not bringing home anymore TV's, unless it's something for me. I'm to the point where I'm tired of dragging this crap home, fixing it, and having it sit here from now on because everyone has turned into a snob. Used to, I could sell any kind of working TV I got my hands on because people didn't care - they just wanted something with picture and sound.
Someone's playing hardball with me over a 1988 20" XL-100. It's not in reach of the bus system and the person won't bring it to me even though I offered extra for that. He said it's been for sale for a while and will sit until it's sold. Good luck to that money-loving bastard. Also, I asked him if it were possible to get someone else to bring it into the city while on their way, to which he agreed to try, but decided not to and didn't tell me until I asked about it again. Seems that he was hoping to get that extra cash for "whenever he comes into the city". I told him straight up that he only gets the extra if he makes a special trip. Haven't heard from him since. I made an offer that many here would consider ludicrously generous. The more money these sub-humans get, the more they want.

2. Any content originally recorded in the analogue realm, shall persist in that realm, whether the corporations like it or not. I wish the VHS distributers thought this way!!!

Many VHS movies have been RE-ISSUED and "Digitally" altered and look/sound like crap!!

I am very grateful to have found as many as I have that havent been digitally changed....... Seems like they are going out of thier way to destroy better analog media and its very sad....

The digital thing, just a bunch of suit dummies wanting more cash.

Now, the suits can control what we see. We have to jump through their hoops just to see a free signal off-the-air.

In the case of the movies going digital, all the digital copies of the movies MUST have a key that is provided by the studio. If you don't have the key, you don't play the movie. Period. With 35mm film, you could play the movie as much as you wanted.

I hate digital. It has ruined everything.

The things people are forced to throw away!

Our department is having a big cleanout. Everything must go,
unless you store it in your own space. All storage space is
being emptied.

The good new is that the things like tubes and the tube tester are being saved for now.

But vast numbers of perfectly good old vacuum pumps, perfectly good
old Tektronix oscilloscopes, 100 Variacs, beautiful old monochromators,
a few tons of stainless steel boxes, several 130 volt 10,000 amp DC power
supplies, etc. etc. are being thrown out.

Due to state law, they can't be sold for profit, only given to
other University departments or State agencies (and this is
essentially a logistic impossibility) or MUST be destroyed and sold
as scrap. We don't get any of the scrap money! They can however,
be ransacked for parts, and we sure do do that! I saved a few
very high end Viewsonic monitors and a couple of extra CRTs from them.

True antiques are an exception but somewhat a pain. A CTC-100,
for example, could be auctioned off ... but we would not get the proceeds.
But we have nothing like that, well the very high end tube testers, but those are safe.
We already have too many old scopes that aren't worth ... yet ...
enough to put on auction. Most go. All the antique lasers are going.

My 1971 vintage and now historic and antique scientific apparatus has
most of its bulk going ... no storage space ... but I saved the guts.

We're talking up to a million dollars of stuff that could be sold on eBay
for a good money, including expenses of bookkeeping, that by law can't
be sold that way, but by law must be scrapped. That money would fund
a couple of grad student fellowships forever, but we can't get it.

I wonder why people have become this way? I know we always and still do appreciate our CRT TV's. I know my family doesn't think its's cool that we prefer a Console over a Flat Screen. However, she has had to have one of her flat screens worked on already and it still doesn't work right. I think I had mentioned had our Zenith Console bought in 1991 never had a problem until the Spring of this year and once the part was replaced it works as good as new. The flat screens will never last for 20+ yrs. like some of the old CRT's. Too bad we have become a throw away society.

I've told one or two people, "laugh all you want; but, my old TV will still be going when you are on your fifth flatscreen and I won't have nearly as much money invested in my set-up." I don't think people today care if something last or not. By the time it breaks, something more "up to date" will be out; so, just toss it and buy a new one.

A long time ago, if someone spent big money for a TV, it had better last longer than a few years.

Right On Target with your above statement.

Are you the fellow that I watched a You Tube Video on fixing a 1993 RCA Color Trax Console Set that had been hit by lighting? The date was May of this year. Did you ever get that set sold? I now of a guy who just the other day hauled one to the ditch just about like it. It was a 1997 Model. Their Mother In Law was watching it and it went to snow. They took it as the Picture Tube going out, but I think from what I have been told and read it may have been a simple fix of the tuner acting up in it like they were supposedly known for? I almost told them to put it in my vehicle. I didn't though as I would have been in big trouble from my Mother for bringing another TV home. I already have 3 console sets among 2 houses. I didn't know if the TV they threw away would be fixable because instead of moving it in the upright position they layed it down on the back side of the TV. Would this have done anymore damage to it or not? I thought maybe the gases or whatever is sealed inside of the picture tube may have become ruined? Also, it was just threw out a few days ago. It has rained once or twice since then. Do you think it could still be saved or should it be left as a ditch filler? The cabinet was excellent on it and it just killed me to see it tossed away. Futhermore, it is much newer than my 1986 Console RCA Color Trax but I really like mine but sure wouldn't mind having this one too if it still could be saved.

Yeah, that's his TV, and it still hasn't sold.

Placing that console on its back side may have broken the neck off the CRT, I don't know. As for the rain, just let the set dry out.

Yes, that's me and that's the TV that's currently sitting at the consignment shop. They had $65 on it; but, I eventually told them to take whatever they could get. I know there is nothing we can do about it and I know I need to stop ranting about it; but, it seriously is disgusting and it pisses me off that I have a nice looking console TV, complete with A/V jacks for a video game or DVD player, and these SOB's in my area won't even give it a second look. It wasn't that many years ago that I would have laughed at someone for offering me $65 for such a TV and priced at $100, I would have had people fighting over it.

I have a friend, who I've mentioned before, whe sells second-hand items. About 13 years ago, when I first met him, he'd come over on Wednesday and pick up 3 or 4 TV's, sell them on Thursday, pick up more Thursday night, sell them on Friday, pick up more on Friday night, and sell them on Saturday. Even after his cut, I was still making several hundred dollars in a weekend. He was also doing very well at selling other used items.

Now, business has gotten so bad for him (not just with TV's) that he only sells stuff on Saturday; and, on some days, he only makes enough to cover his gas and food. He might sell one or two TV's a month, at $15-$25 each; which, ain't shit. He's about the only person who has luck with getting rid of my TV's; but, he only wants to deal with smaller sets that he can move by himself (he is in his 70's and not in the best of health) and he has dropped a few hints like he may be getting tired of fooling with TV's. Of course, I can't blame him. When you can only make a few dollars profit and then have to worry about these idiots who often don't understand what "as-is" means; then, it's really not worth the trouble. In the past, he has actually sold some TV's for next to nothing, only to have the idiot buyers bring them back a month later because they were not happy with the TV.

It all goes back to how snobby people have become in thinking they must have "new everything". You know, just run on down to best buy and swipe the plastic (I guess when you're already $20K in credit card debt; what's a few hundred added on here and there).

Concerning the '97 console, it probably wasn't a good idea for them to have laid it on it's back. If it's one of the RCA's with a flat back; then, it may be OK. If it's the style with a plastic cover that sticks out the back; then, they may have busted the neck off the CRT.

If anyone here was in my area, I'd give them the damn thing just to get rid of it.

If I lived near you I wouldn't mind paying the $65 for it. It's too bad there wasn't a way that we could figure out how to get this to me. I am seriously interested in it.

I am in Northern Kansas.

Yeah, the shipping would cost way more than what the set is worth. Fortunately, RCA's that new are still very common and can usually be found locally. Just check the thrift stores. At any given time, there are always console TV's at our second-hand stores.

I think it must have had a flat back on it as it was laying perfectly flat and not able to be rocked back and forth like if it had that plastic piece on the back.

I get items for personal use or to resell rather than to collect and repair, so maybe I'm coming from a different angle than you guys. If I know I can't sell it, I don't bother w/it. To me, this tv trash/treasure thing is a glass half-full thing for you--almost a Golden Age. Why bemoan what people are throwing out when you can get the pick of it for (mostly) free? You're the beneficiary. Tech moves along and people will always want the latest. How many people lusted over bag phones because it was a status item and now no one other than someone who collects them would be caught dead w/ one?

I know we always and still do appreciate our CRT TV's.You aint kidding buddy!!!!!!


WE KNOW WHAT WE HAVE! (I hear that saying "you dont know what you have until its gone" -- I THINK WE ALL HERE REALISE HOW GOOD WHAT WE HAVE IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN!!)

I hate digital. It has ruined everything.Indeed it has my friend!

Looks and sounds like crap compared to straight analog!!!!

I know we always and still do appreciate our CRT TV's. ... The flat screens will never last for 20+ yrs. like some of the old CRT's.

Here is a hybrid of sorts, a CRT VGA monitor displaying 1080i.
http://www.videokarma.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=172283&d=1322354005
There's a Samsung ATSC HDTV receiver box inside the cabinet, which has outputs that can drive VGA monitors directly.

The cabinet used to house an RCA CTC19, but its chassis and original CRT long gone.

I threw away a 27" Panasonic that I bought in 94 about seven years ago because it simply had no blue anymore. Just went out one day. I threw away a gas dryer that kept cycling on and off and my stove that wouldn't turn off. Now we have forums such as this and about.com to learn from, but how many people are mechanically inclined and actually do research? There are many people who prefer CRTs (I have never owned a flat screen,) but how long has it been since they were produced? Most thrift stores don't have them plugged in and showing an image, so it is a crap shoot as to whether the tube is tired or it has other issues. Unless it is something special I start with the screen size as a base dollar amount and then add or subtract for features. 25" = $25, only rf input - $10, full set of composite and component inputs + $10. Now a good Sony with dark case and little feets instead of a snail foot across the front must be looked up for tube type instead of an arbitrary amount based on dimensions. But most people are wary of buying someone elses old junk and have no interest in repairing something worth under a couple hundred dollars.

I keep looking for an original 1.7Mhz cordless phone... I WOULD LOVE HAVING ONE!! (I figure someone sometime might throw 1 of those out!! (Those got out excellent and sounded the best!! (Being analogue and all)))

Been watching the Sony 40xbr800 for six months now no problems. Bet they can't say that about the flat panel that replaced it.

Looking at some of the older USA TV's, they seem to be housed in pieces of furniture and I think they look really good. :) But I have to agree, the stuff that some folks throw away has ALWAYS amazed me!

@Firebird

I got a free Sony KVXBR800 from a guy on craigslist The television needs some work o it . The picture will shut down and flash code 7 or the AKA 7 blinks .The set gets burly sometimes the color will look off and sometimes come back perfect and kick out again . Im told the MCZ3001d chips need replacing and from the looks of it I don't think they where changed . I may change the chips my self in the future . But the set is working . What problems did you have with that set You have the same set I own . Im running a blu ray player on this set and the picture will blow away a plasma set 10 to 1 .Let me know what you found wrong with your set so I can possibly fix mine too . I really like this set but the down fall is the set weights 300.00 lbs. I would have a tech fix it but getting quaffed service tech for Sony is costly . Laner television in south Milwaukee want 110.0 just for the service call and that's if they can fix it .

I keep looking for an original 1.7Mhz cordless phone... I WOULD LOVE HAVING ONE!! (I figure someone sometime might throw 1 of those out!! (Those got out excellent and sounded the best!! (Being analogue and all)))

HA! I had one these in the mid-90's (Southwestern Bell). Got it off some friends. But I made a little mod by where I took the long wire and helically wound it around a piece of wood dowl about 2 and half foot long. Put that in an old Christmas tree stand and I have to say reception was brilliant.:yes: I used to speak to my then girlfriend (now wife) and listen to her on my old GEC McMichael valve radio!

Those things got out like crazy!!!!! (Wouldnt mind having one :))

Tried replacing chips(MCZ3001d). Soldering iron was too large. Did some damage to board. If you are going to try get a micro soldering iron. I eventually gave up and bought a rebuilt board. It has played night and day since. I do not understand how they damaged it unless they watched it none stop for eight years.

Hey i made page 2 again!

Did they quit throwing things away yet?

Better that stuff gets thrown away than donated to thrift stores whose higher-ups will pocket most of the proceeds from selling the stuff. Also, they will throw out good TVs without trying to sell them and put out the late-model BPC that are even less likely to sell.

I am NEVER an advocate of throwing away things that work. I will try everything to re-home functional equipment, though I learned very quickly (before any casualties, thankfully!) that giving away free TVs on Craigslist is a huge no-no!

Why Craigslist?

Why Craigslist?

What specifically are you asking? I don't give TVs away for free anywhere anymore because scrappers take working sets and destroy them.

Now i understand. Thank You.

What specifically are you asking? I don't give TVs away for free anywhere anymore because scrappers take working sets and destroy them.

I had a feeling that this is why you don't use Craigslist. There are some real live ones on Craigslist.

I have taken several free sets I found there, but, I never scrap them.

I am typing this AK post on a Dell Latitude E 5510. Courtesy of the Athens, TN dump. A neighbor who works there rescued it for me. Had an issue with Windows 7 Pro crashing and keyboard. I repaired the keyboard and reloaded Windows and drivers. Intel Core I3, 2.3 Ghz Dual Core. Runs fine now. Will install a DVD-RW drive and 4GB RAM (it only has 2GB RAM)

I got a tower that a thrift store was going to throw away, still had to buy it from them though. At least it was cheap. Pentium 4 3GHz with 80GB hard drive with a fresh install of XP and 1GB RAM. I've stripped it of its outer panels with the intention of putting everything in an older-style case. Left the framework as I didn't want a bunch of loose parts hanging around and maybe getting damaged. The hard drive is labeled "CFS wiped" (Computers For Schools). I'll be trying FreeBSD on that.

I remember back when I was delivering pizza, I delivered to a guy who was a jerk. No tip. On the way back to the car, I noticed it was trash day, and there was a complete P3 computer in his trash (this was several years ago when a P3 wasn't too bad). I grabbed it "as my tip" lol. I took it home, wiped it, reloaded the OS and sold it for $75. Turns out it was the best tip of the night, heh.

I remember back when I was delivering pizza, I delivered to a guy who was a jerk. No tip. On the way back to the car, I noticed it was trash day, and there was a complete P3 computer in his trash (this was several years ago when a P3 wasn't too bad). I grabbed it "as my tip" lol. I took it home, wiped it, reloaded the OS and sold it for $75. Turns out it was the best tip of the night, heh.
Haha, very nice. :) Reminds me of the TV I got from beside the old Tel-Star TV and appliance dealership that had been out in the rain. Once it dried out, touching up a cold solder joint on a vertical transistor brought that back to life, I then sold it for 30 bucks. Only time I ever profited from a trash pick.

It is actually a very regular thing for me to trash pick, repair/restore, and then sell. I make a decent amount of 'side cash' doing this, and 90% of what I offer for sale looks and works FAR better than it did when I found it. Several big-screen rear projectors (some HD), at least one flat panel, a bunch of nice CRT sets, a few tower speakers (Technics SB-L75 and Fisher STV-somethings listing soon), more...quite frequently, I am genuinely surprised at some of the things I list that actually sell. :yes:

It is actually a very regular thing for me to trash pick, repair/restore, and then sell. I make a decent amount of 'side cash' doing this, and 90% of what I offer for sale looks and works FAR better than it did when I found it. Several big-screen rear projectors (some HD), at least one flat panel, a bunch of nice CRT sets, a few tower speakers (Technics SB-L75 and Fisher STV-somethings listing soon), more...quite frequently, I am genuinely surprised at some of the things I list that actually sell. :yes:
Sounds awesome. Perhaps you mention the work done on these things in your ads? Could be the selling point for a lot of them.

Sounds awesome. Perhaps you mention the work done on these things in your ads? Could be the selling point for a lot of them.

Always! I make it a point in every ad to mention that everything I sell has been completely gone through and thoroughly cleaned. It's a win-win, because it's something I really enjoy doing. :music:

I know many people who purchased thoroughly cleaned TV's, a month goes by after purchase, they can't explain how their house suddenly got infested with cockroaches.

I know many people who purchased thoroughly cleaned TV's, a month goes by after purchase, they can't explain how their house suddenly got infested with cockroaches.

And that is EXACTLY why I thoroughly clean everything I sell. :D

I remember back when I was delivering pizza, I delivered to a guy who was a jerk. No tip. On the way back to the car, I noticed it was trash day, and there was a complete P3 computer in his trash (this was several years ago when a P3 wasn't too bad). I grabbed it "as my tip" lol. I took it home, wiped it, reloaded the OS and sold it for $75. Turns out it was the best tip of the night, heh.Nice.... How much did you spend though getting it ready?? (Sounds like nothing)

Did the guy see ya take it?