Quote:
Originally Posted by fsjonsey
I've been wondering about this for a long time. Seeing how reliable some of the 60's tube sets are, how many do you think are still in use by non collectors? Does anyone in the repair business still see them being brought in for service?
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I would say that more repairable would be a better term than more reliable. When I was a kid in the 80's and early 90's I saw a LOT of tube sets. I can't remember getting a watchable picture out of any of them, but 70's solid state sets were easy to get working well.
My older family members still complain about how unreliable TVs used to be and can't believe their modern set that has worked for 10 years without trouble. As cheap as modern TVs are, most of them will work for their entire life without needing any service.
I read a 1960's book about starting your own TV repair shop and it estimated the average life of a color TV at something like 7 years (including several "major" repairs). I love collecting old TVs, but I wouldn't want to have to depend on them for every day use any more that I would want to drive a model T on the freeway every day.