Magnavox "Star" System

[Kamakiri]

Originally posted by captainmoody
If you have a model# on that Funai, I may just have a good power supply board for it. I have quite a few new returns from a major store that made it to my recycling co.
Sadly it seems, That stuff is disposable now. They are made to be thrown out after a short life.

That Funai is an F3809A. TIA!

[Tomcomm]

Originally Posted by kc8adu

if that sucker opens without breaking the interlock bang and time for a new 25vcxp22.

I lost ultor voltage and the circuit breaker never tripped. The "safety cap" blew its end off and opened the drive to the horz amp that checks good.
Just how does any failure in the horz circuitry destroy a CRT?? Some claim it punches a hole thru the envelope and even breaks the CRT neck off?

I'm wary about replacing the safety device with a new exact part number I just bought and powering up the set. I hope someone can make me less paranoid.......Tom

[radiotvnut]

I don't know what exactly happens; but, I do know that the HV will go through the roof if that safety cap opens without breaking the interlock. This elevated HV exceeds the maximum HV limit for the CRT and arcs through the tube, cutting off the neck. If that were mine, I think I'd go with orange drops or some other modern cap that is designed for high voltages. It might be a good idea to use several smaller caps in parallel to give you the correct value. That way, if one opens, you'll have some warning (usually indicated by a sudden change in horizontal width). Zenith used an orange drop cap in this application and I don't think I've ever seen a bad one; and, I've seen a lot of Zenith's. I wouldn't expect the original Magnavox part to last more than a few years. They were the weakest link in those sets. Really, I can't think of any modern set (past 25 years) that I've seen the retrace cap open on. I've seen a few shorted ones; but, all that will do is blow the fuse. No danger of blowing the CRT's neck off. So yes, I think you really would be better off to use updated modern parts.

[Jeffhs]

In regard to Kamakiri's remarks on "throwaway" electronics: You are absolutely correct. I had a CyberHome DVD player which was a Christmas present in 2005. It went West on me almost three years later; put a disc in, close the tray, and the status indicator would show "Loading..." for the longest time, followed by "Bad disc". (I know every one of my discs are good; in fact, I tried another in the player after getting this message and, yup, you guessed it, it showed the same "Bad disc" message on that one as well.) At first I was able to get the player to work if I fiddled with it long enough, but eventually it got to the point where no amount of inserting and reinserting discs, resetting the player by unplugging it from the line and reconnecting power, etc. would work. That player eventually went to the trash barrels outside my apartment.

I bought a new, full-size Memorex DVD player a day or so later; it works very well, but I read somewhere that there is a capacitor in these units that will open after only eight or nine months, rendering the player completely inoperative. The reason this capacitor fails is because it is an inferior quality part; I believe it is underrated as well, but then again I'm not surprised after mentioning this on another forum (AntiqueRadios.com). The consensus there seems to be that even well-known electronics manufacturers such as Memorex cannot use quality parts in a DVD player (for example) that sells for $30-$40 or so. (I got my Memorex player at Big Lots for just over $40, plus tax.)

Good grief. I know consumer goods these days aren't built to last as they once were, but for a DVD player to have a part in it that will expire after less than one year....I have to wonder. My Memorex player has a warranty, but I think the unit has been built to last only as long as that warranty is in force. I hope I'm wrong, but after seeing what I saw on AntiqueRadios.com about the intentional use of cheap parts in devices that sell for very low prices in stores such as Big Lots and other discount stores, I don't know how long my player will last before that cap goes bad.

[newhallone]

This is why when my newest dvd player dies I will buy either a laptop, media system. or one of those terabyte hard drives that have video outs on them. A modded original x-box is a good option as well. Something you can swap out drives and supply in, if they ever fail. Which is no where as much as dvd players.

[Bill R]

Here's a thought for the future. With the declining cost of memory, how about a solid state dvd. In other words when you buy the movie it comes on a player that just plugs into the tv. No more DVD's or DVD players. Kind of like preloaded mp3 players. We already sell new release DVD's for 14 to 19 dollars and players start at 29 dollars, thats less than 50 dollars for the player and DVD, it will not be long until the movie and player could be sold as one for the price of a DVD alone.

Bill R

[Keefla]

Originally Posted by Bill R

Here's a thought for the future. With the declining cost of memory, how about a solid state dvd. In other words when you buy the movie it comes on a player that just plugs into the tv. No more DVD's or DVD players. Kind of like preloaded mp3 players. We already sell new release DVD's for 14 to 19 dollars and players start at 29 dollars, thats less than 50 dollars for the player and DVD, it will not be long until the movie and player could be sold as one for the price of a DVD alone.

Bill R

I like this idea....all it really needs to be is 4.7 gig harddrive that plugs into the side of a TV. the TV could contain all the logic to controll it. how much is a harddrive with under 5 gigs of memory? sad to say but theres no demand for them in computers any more so they gotta be cheap. load it with a movie and slap it in a box, use a laptop harddrive and itll be about the size of an audio cassete tape.

[radiotvnut]

Originally Posted by Keefla

I like this idea....all it really needs to be is 4.7 gig harddrive that plugs into the side of a TV. the TV could contain all the logic to controll it. how much is a harddrive with under 5 gigs of memory? sad to say but theres no demand for them in computers any more so they gotta be cheap. load it with a movie and slap it in a box, use a laptop harddrive and itll be about the size of an audio cassete tape.

A little OT; but, the Library of Congress will be doing something similar in the distribution of talking books for the blind. The books will be recorded on some type of digital cartridge that is designed to plug into the player which will be provided by the LOC. I have not actually seen the cartridge or the player; but, they are supposed to start distributing them in the next few months. They claim the audio will be clearer and there will be no more rewinding, fast forwarding, and constantly changing cassettes to read a book. Also, there are no moving parts involved with the player or the cartridge. I think I remember reading where the digital cartridge will be about half the size of a regular audio cassette.

[Bill R]

I was thinking 4GB flash drive with audio and composite video out, instead of usb connector. You could use a blue tooth reciever in the device and use your cell phone as a remote. We already sell some sets with usb ports so that may catch on as well. I need to get this little jewel patented

Bill R.