1978 Sony KV-1922: Good or Bad?
 

Does anyone have anything good to say about Sony KV-1922 made in 1978-1979? Is this one of Sony's good year, or is this the one with weak CRT? Not sure if I should pick it up, but at least it's only less than 10 miles away from me and it's in excellent condition with a wood cabinet.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Trinitron-1...3A1|240%3A1318

I recently junked a '78 KV1911 because it had a weak CRT and other chassis problems and I have seen many Sony's from that time period with weak CRT's. Most would have a strong green gun while the red and blue were dead. One plus is that I think the KV1922 is new enough to use a BJT horizontal output transistor instead of that horrid SG-613 (or whatever it was) gate controlled switch that cost out the butt and is very easy to blow.

If I knew before hand that the CRT was good, I'd probably grab this set. Of course, finding out the condition of the CRT before winning the auction may not be possible. Many times, their idea of a good picture and mine are two different things. There may be some bad electrolytics that need changing, which should be no big deal as long as you have a good tube to work with. BTW, weak Sony tubes usually don't rejuvenate well, if at all.

Walt, I hope you won this auction. A KV-1922 was my first brand-new TV purchase, for US$450 in 1979. It had an excellent picture, and I had no problems with it before selling it in early 1982 when I bought a Sony Profeel KX-1901.

I know of a 17" or 19" Sony that is one or two model years newer than this, that is working fine here in northern California.

Yeah, I won it and paid only $1. It has a broken knob to turn the contrast. If you can remember in 1979, what was Sony's most flagship, highest-end CRT model? Was there a one with a wireless remote control? Was there a 25" screen?

How does the picture look?

I'm sure they had a remote set in '79 but I don't think there was anything larger than 21" before about 1981 when Sony introduced their 26" set. Those first 26" sets used a horrible (710AB22, IIRC) CRT that didn't last long. A few months ago; I actually had one of those early 26" consoles. It was cable ready with IR wireless remote. I rejuvenated the CRT and donated it to the thrift store. I don't know what happened to it after that.

Until 1980, 17" was a big screen Sony Trinitron. Your model pictured is superb and unbeatable with a strong CRT for picture quality. In 1977, when my brother was home on leave from the Navy, he wanted to watch the bowl games in color. We had a Black & White set growing up. My brother bought a KV-1922. The best picture there was back in 1978. Very reliable set which had few repairs. Lasted over 22 years before the CRT went weak as a daily watcher. Worth owning. Cost over $450 then new. :tresbon:

Radiotvnut described things pretty well. The 19" remote-control set was the KV-1942R, I think. It sold for US$550-600 at the time I got the '1922 for $450. There were also 15", 17", and 21" sets with similar model numbers (KV-1722, KV-2142R, etc.). If I remember right, the 15" and 17" sets were not all that much lower priced than the 19s, and the 21" sets (the biggest Sony available then) were a big jump up in cost. The next later model was the KV-1923, that had all electronic controls (buttons for volume and picture up and down, and a power button) versus the pots and pull-on/push-off power control on your new set.

When the KV-2644R (white plastic) and KV-2645R (mostly wood) consoles came out in 1981, they were the biggest CRT sets on the market, since every other brand topped out at 25".

Have a KV-1923 model I purchased new in '82 for $480, and although it doesn't see daily use, it still works. Great set!

TV is now FREE...
 

This TV is now FREE to any of AK members, and I don't want it anymore after hearing that this was not Sony's flagship model and there was a remote control back in 1978. :mad: It is located at North Hollywood, CA. No takers, it will be sent to e-waste. Seen this TV, done that.

You're quite the character, waltchan.

I tend to agree; but, I guess everyone knows what they want.

Maybe someone can save this TV before it gets smashed.

True, it is admirable to want to collect only the best of the bunch...to each his own I suppose. :D

IMO, it's still a nice set that's worth saving.

I would love to have this set but I'm like 3,000 miles away in Michigan. You sound as if the TV bit your arm waltchan! Seems like a great one other than that broken contrast knob.

Walt-

I did not have a chance to get on AK until now. If you still have the KV-1922, I may be able to get to the L.A. area soon, and I would like to have it. Thanks.

That's great. You won't be disappointed. PM me with a specific date and time you will be free in the LA area.