The last Black and White TV sets.

[radiotvnut]

From my research and own experience:

1. 22" B&W's were made in both console and table model sets until about 1981, with Zenith and Sylvania being the last ones. I read somewhere that the discontinuation of 22" CRT's was the reason that they stopped making these sets; however, by '81, I can't imagine too many people wanting a B&W console. I suspect that the few that were sold were to senior citizens who didn't like change.

2. 19" B&W's stayed around until the mid '80's and it's interesting to note that in the early '80's, Zenith made a 19" B&W with a random access digital tuner and red LED readout.

3. 12" B&W's stayed around until the late '90's; but, the last semi-decent ones were made in the mid '80's. Those last gasp models from the '90's cost $39 when new and they were very cheaply made.

4. 5" portables were available up until the DTV transition of 2009. In fact, I remember going in a dollar store, a few weeks before the switch, and they had a whole pile of them for under $10.

[wa2ise]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

... however, by '81, I can't imagine too many people wanting a B&W console. I suspect that the few that were sold were to senior citizens who didn't like change.

I remember reading somewhere, around the early 80's, that B&W TV sets were better for watching B&W movies from your VCR. And that they recommenced that vintage B&W movie fans buy a B&W set. Even Crazy Eddie had a few, about 19 inches screens.