Magnavox T979 color console

[radiotvnut]

I just obtained this nice looking early '70's Magnavox T979 solid state color console. This one has no vertical deflection and I understand that this was the first all solid state Magnavox color chassis. It's also the first T979 that I've seen; but, I've heard of them through an old Magnavox repairman that I knew and he didn't think too highly of them. Maybe your thoughts differ from his. The only reason I got it is because it looks to have a strong CRT and given the fact that it was their first SS color chassis.

[holmesuser01]

The board mounted on its side: Up near the top, there was a diode, I believe, that would burn. I seem to remember working on several of these. The ones I saw often had 1/4 watt resistors where 1/2 watters should have been used.

My parents had one of these, bought in about 1974 or so, that had some problems, but ran fairly trouble free until 1982, when lightning got it one afternoon. I still have the 25V CRT from this set running in something else at a friends house.

[bgadow]

I have some 70s Magnavox modules, not sure which chassis they fit, though. If anyone is ever looking let me know, I hate to toss them.

[radiotvnut]

I pulled this set back out to work on it. Turns out the loss of vertical sweep was caused by a loose sweep module (the stand-up board on the side). It now has partial vertical deflection and I've made no effort to correct that, yet. The tuner and controls are dirty; but, it has a strong CRT and good color. Once I clean everything and touch up the adjustments, I think I'll have a nice performing set. It probably won't be as good as an RCA, Zenith, or Sylvania; but, I think it will still produce a good picture. From date codes, this set was built in early '73 and this is an "instant on" set. Fortunately, it has an instant on defeat switch; which, was in the "off" position.

[DaveWM]

really nice looking set, look like a very solid build.

[holmesuser01]

My set burned in the vicinity of the focus adjustment control.

When lightning hit it, it blew the covers off the VHF and UHF tuners, and melted much of the IF section. The set would still turn on!

This is deja-vu. I just looked at this at ARF.

Bruce

[radiotvnut]

I don't think anything modern would even turn on after taking such a hit. Heck, most of this new garbage will be destroyed, even if it only takes a minor hit.

[sampson159]

those are very underrated sets.pretty good performers.saw more than a few.very good crts.you wont be disappointed when its finished!

[Jeffhs]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

I don't think anything modern would even turn on after taking such a hit. Heck, most of this new garbage will be destroyed, even if it only takes a minor hit.

I agree. Today's flat-panel sets will be instantly damaged beyond repair by lightning strikes in most cases, which is one reason I am in no hurry to replace my analog set with a FP -- despite the fact that today's plasma flat panels are being built to last much longer than the first sets ever did; the new sets are also nearly immune to image burn-in. I read in another thread that, in cases of lightning damage to FP TVs, most insurance companies will simply replace the set rather than pay to have the damaged one repaired. Typical of how things are done in America these days -- if whatever it is goes bad after the warranty expires, throw it out and get a new one. I had to do just that when my first DVD player (CyberHome DVD-300S) stopped reading discs after only three years. I bought a Memorex player that has lasted two years so far, but given the fact that these players have a capacitor that swells and splits open, rendering the player useless in most cases only nine months after initial purchase, I'm amazed mine has lasted this long and still works well (knock on wood). I'm not wishing it would go bad, of course, but given the manner in which these players are built (plastic cabinet, underrated components, etc.), I sometimes get the feeling that mine will fail any time now. I'll then replace it with another piece of offshore junk with a well-known name slapped on it that may last only a year if that long (!), and then ... well, you get the idea.

[jr_tech]

Nice set!

They did a nice clean design for their first SS chassis!

jr

[jr_tech]

Originally Posted by Jeffhs

I bought a Memorex player that has lasted two years so far, but given the fact that these players have a capacitor that swells and splits open, rendering the player useless in most cases only nine months after initial purchase, I'm amazed mine has lasted this long and still works well (knock on wood).

If there is a known high failure cap in these units, would it make sense to replace the cap before it fails and destroys other parts?
jr

sorry for the OT post.

[zenith2134]

How'd I miss this? Great looking Magnavox These are harder to come by compared to other brands like rca and zenith I think. Good luck with getting it running again,.

[rcanewvista]

that style cabinet looks like the one featured in this magnavox commercial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjzVqSmTvgY the control panel is different, although the one featured in the commercial has total automatic color too.

[magnasonic66]

I got the big French Provincial armoire the model is opening in the last few seconds of the commercial. If I could find any intact Magnavox color console from 1972 on back, I'd grab it. I hope you're still enjoying your set, radiotvnut.

[rcanewvista]

i always wonder why commercials from the late 60's - early 70's seem to have this mysterious and slightly creepy ambiance.