Proper handling of a 50" plasma TV

[rca2000]

Originally Posted by andy

I work with modern technology every day, and I enjoy collecting and restoring my classic TVs (and other vintage technology) for the challenge, and as a way to relax. I love seeing how things used to be, and I get great satisfaction out of experiencing and preserving old technology. It's about experiencing history. If I just wanted the best CRT picture possible, I wouldn't even bother with tube sets, B/W sets, or anything made before about 1985. I would probably have a house full of Sony HD CRTs and be done with it.

I don't see why it has to be an either/or thing. I can enjoy enjoy vintage TVs without hating modern technology. Most people with classic cars only drive them on weekends because they know it's more practical to drive a modern car every day.

I do like watching an occasional old TV show on a vintage TV, and I watch the evening news on a CTC38 almost every day, but I don't for a second thing they're "better" than more modern TVs. When I want to watch a move, or modern TV show, I normally use my 1080p LCD projector, or plasma TV.

I agree here. I too work on flat--panels for a living, with an occasional mist. DLP thrown for good measure. I do not mind working on them, and I DO like that I can handle a 50" tv on my own most of the time, but they ARE NOT sets I would consider" desirable to "hang on to", unlike that 23" 1959 Zenith I got yesterday from CL. I have 2 "modern" tv sets I use. One is a Panasonic LCD projo, that had a dirty filter and later I replaced the bulb--as it was a bit dim( but still worked). It was free--a "shopping" find. I DID have to "flash the prom" before Christmas last year--to fix the "red spot" problem that came on some time after i got it...--but I borrowed a jig to do that. The other newer set is a 19" flat--panel that is in the kitchen, it was given to me a while back. The other 2 sets are ctc169 sets, a 52" in the family room and a 32" console I my bedroom. BOTH have been nearly trouble--free--MUCH more so than the panasonic.(but I DO like to watch HDTV such as Blue Bloods and the NEW Hawaii five O on it)

Like others--I DO enjoy getting an old tv set(usually pre-1980 and older) and getting it to work--and keeping them from being "lost forever". That Zenith I got yesterday is a console that is ALL THE WAY to the floor, and in good condition(somewhat rare for a 59 or so set, most had some kind of "legs").

[rca2000]

Originally Posted by MelodyMaster

I've seen a laser set, it's stunning. But pricing will never allow it to compete against cheaper technologies for the home market.

I have seen them too, we work on them. There are TWO versions--the first ones had class FOUR lasers, and the newest ones are class 2 ones I think--and look about as bright and nice as the earlier ones. They look NICE--but are not "the cat's meow" of tv's. Neither are the Sharp"quattron" sets-IMHO--they look pretty poor, compared to a nice, modulated led backlight, Samsung flat--panel set.

And I STILL think that "3-D" will be a "FAD"--just like the last 4 times it was tried over the last 60 years or so.

[MelodyMaster]

Originally Posted by rca2000

I agree here. I too work on flat--panels for a living, with an occasional mist. DLP thrown for good measure. I do not mind working on them, and I DO like that I can handle a 50" tv on my own most of the time, but they ARE NOT sets I would consider" desirable to "hang on to", unlike that 23" 1959 Zenith I got yesterday from CL. I have 2 "modern" tv sets I use. One is a Panasonic LCD projo, that had a dirty filter and later I replaced the bulb--as it was a bit dim( but still worked). It was free--a "shopping" find. I DID have to "flash the prom" before Christmas last year--to fix the "red spot" problem that came on some time after i got it...--but I borrowed a jig to do that. The other newer set is a 19" flat--panel that is in the kitchen, it was given to me a while back. The other 2 sets are ctc169 sets, a 52" in the family room and a 32" console I my bedroom. BOTH have been nearly trouble--free--MUCH more so than the panasonic.(but I DO like to watch HDTV such as Blue Bloods and the NEW Hawaii five O on it)

Like others--I DO enjoy getting an old tv set(usually pre-1980 and older) and getting it to work--and keeping them from being "lost forever". That Zenith I got yesterday is a console that is ALL THE WAY to the floor, and in good condition(somewhat rare for a 59 or so set, most had some kind of "legs").

Speaking of collectible TVs, let us remember a few vintage Plasma sets are sought-after, such as the Kuros, and some Sony models.

[AUdubon5425]

It's all moot - facts are that B&W had a much clearer picture than color.


<jk>

[kx250rider]

Originally Posted by Adam

I'm waiting for the comparison video, "Plasma vs. LCD: which gets flatter!"

[MelodyMaster]

Originally Posted by AUdubon5425

It's all moot - facts are that B&W had a much clearer picture than color.


<jk>

Psychological perception.

And if we're talking actual resolution that is because PAL/NTSC colour had to use a comb filter, causing colour edge atifacts, or worse, a rollof filter, resulting in loss of resolution. This is certainly not true of digital television. 1080i "Game of Thrones" looks plenty clear to me..

[kx250rider]

Originally Posted by Eric H

I suppose I should apologize to Charles for so thoroughly derailing his thread!

Charles, just to be clear, I have no problem with smashing a junk set, heck, I like smashing stuff as much as the next guy!

I was just concerned with the narrow attitude I often see here concerning new technology.

...And I should apologize for starting a war. Not the original intent, and honestly, I didn't realize we the members had a fairly deep-rooted division between flat screen likers & dislikers. I guess it's a Ford vs. Chevy, wrestling vs. boxing, or any political thing. To be fair, I might have to demonstrate the proper handling of a late model K-Mart CRT set....

NOTE: I would NEVER do anything to hurt a collectable TV; flat or CRT, fixable or not, or DuMont or Kawasho. And I mean even one that somebody else finds collectable and I don't. Mutual collectors' respect there.

Originally Posted by MelodyMaster

Speaking of collectible TVs, let us remember a few vintage Plasma sets are sought-after, such as the Kuros, and some Sony models.

Yes, and I'm carefully preserving a Sony 32TS1 and the 55" two-piece plasma sets as collectable TVs. That Maxent was fairly new (and cheap).


Charles

[ha1156w]

There's one more aspect tipping the hand of consumers in this -- even CRT HD sets don't have HDMI inputs. Everything from blu-ray players to cable boxes to media players is moving toward HDMI only. The copy-cops have forced its implementation so that the display path can be "verified" as not being encrypted/not copyable/eavesdropped whatever they're considering it to be.

YPrPg component outputs are QUICKLY disappearing from devices. Movie industry doesn't like them at all because of an unrealistic fear of copying.

[miniman82]

Originally Posted by AUdubon5425

It's all moot - facts are that B&W had a much clearer picture than color.

Actually, I was stunned when I pulled all but the Y cable out of my cable box recently. 65 inches of high def black and white looks awesome!

[andy]

...

[kx250rider]

Originally Posted by andy

Not true, many of the later CRT HDTVs had HDMI inputs. I used to have a 30" Panasonic with HDMI, and I know a lot of Sony models had them. Early plasmas also lacked HDMI, or digital tuners.

....Yes, most high-end CRT sets; and virtually all 16:9 CRT sets, had at least DVI and many HDMI since 2000 or so. And also you can get various devices to interface DVI & HDMI to component, or even to composite. Things like DVD-recorders, home theater receiver boxes, etc., often will allow that. Also there's a company making direct adaptors from HDMI to a VHF signal modulator, but I think you have to get used on eBay, or order new from Canada.

And also correct; neither of my Sony plasma sets have HDMI inputs. DVI, component & composite only.

Charles

[Zenith26kc20]

The real complaint here should be the lack of support from the manufacturers! Let's face it, if the parts are not available once the set is out of warranty, chances are you won't find a used one as many have high failure rates and they are all bought up. There is no support in the way of tech support unless you are a warranty station. There are no classes offered by the manufacturers (remember the Zenith and Sylvania tech meetings?). Oh well, gotta get back to work..... Rant over!

[andy]

...

[MelodyMaster]

Originally Posted by andy

I certainly agree with you there. Nothing annoys me more than not being able to repair something because the parts are no longer available.

Newer sets, starting with the Motorola Quasar and Philips K11, are more trouble because they use all-in-one modules. Sets with discrete circuitry are usually repairable regardless.

[freakaftr8]

I recently picked up a dead 60" Zenith (LG) plasma, manufacture date Oct 2003. Only had Video, SVideo and Component inputs for the HD. Looks mighty awesome after the power supply repair.