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#61
12-31-2014, 04:27 PM
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Well, "Zenith" could have tryed to open an assembly line in Europe and to use some Europenanen componets... and they could have a factory around here.
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#62
12-31-2014, 05:03 PM
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Well, Europe was also suffering from the same incursion of Japanese dumping too. And they often had the same high labor costs too and the same quality issues that we Americans had then and the same aging factories.
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#63
12-31-2014, 06:09 PM
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Quote:
But I do agree the appliance market is now under attack much in the same way. Whirlpool is like Zenith a lot in the same ways, and I think the appliance market has hung on this long because the Japanese never got into American appliances for some reason....the Koreans don't seem to mind though.
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#64
12-31-2014, 06:22 PM
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[QUOTE=Carmine;3122297]
To say that defective CRTs or multiple cabinets finishes killed Zenith is like saying heart failure is the cause of death for a guy with lung cancer. QUOTE] I have yet to read anywhere on this forum where anyone said it was quite as simple as that. In fact, it seems like the general consensus is that the demise of Zenith was the result of many different challenges. There really is no need for the attitude here. I thought this was a friendly discussion.
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#65
12-31-2014, 06:49 PM
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I didn't know Whirlpool now owns Maytag.....
And I didn't know Whirlpool was doing all that courtroom drama with dumping.... Very interesting..... A lot to read.... Thanks again Carmine... .
__________________
Yes you can call me "Squirrel boy"
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#66
12-31-2014, 09:00 PM
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[QUOTE=davet753;3122425]
Quote:
In much the same way, a lung cancer patient often dies because the heart is worn out from the overwork caused by a lack of oxygen... But if we only go as far as labeling the cause of death "heart failure" while ignoring the mass in the lung, the root problem is never addressed. So play this game... If there had never been solder issues with System3 chassis, if the cabinets were "more modern", if the 27" CRTs were as good as the Chomacolors... You might have retained a few sales but you'd still be selling a $329 set in the same $199 commodity market that killed your peers. Unsustainable. *and I don't necessarily buy the argument that the S3 were all "junk". Too many of them still performing for that to be the case... I still occasionally see them at thrifts/craigs. As for modern cabinets, I'd say Zenith built more Star-Trek looking models than anyone. Sleek looking varactor no-knob tuners? Panorama? Avanti? Whatever the hell you call this thing which probably has Bose™ sound; which tempts me very much... 
__________________
From Captain Video, 1/4/2007 "It seems that Italian people are very prone to preserve antique stuff."
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#67
01-01-2015, 04:34 AM
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The only way I could see Zenith surviving is if they turned into what Vizio is - do all the marketing and design in house and contract out everything. Vizio is a very interesting company, a privately held American company that has probably the same market share Zenith had in the early 90's with less than 500 employees. Not good for employment numbers, but the only way I can see an American TV company can survive today.
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#68
01-01-2015, 07:41 AM
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Vizio is not 1/10th Zenith... It is just an assembly company.
Well Carmine, you put together a great little, actually, a great detailed synopsis of Zenith's troubles. I look forward to your book, I sure hope you make an announcement here when it's complete. For the most part there are people who can see that capitol is needed for a company to thrive, not everyone understands the many aspects of business, or the complexities of long term investment in aspects of a business.... Some business's miss a minor event and it cascades into a catastrophic failure they could not see coming.... Did Zenith see the end coming...? At some point I'm sure they did..... I'm not sure everyone here will sign on to what you have written.... Not because you are wrong, people still see what they take to be the single grand mistake, like the bad picture tube. I love post #55, I think that is more than likely EXACTLY how it happened......  .
__________________
Yes you can call me "Squirrel boy" Last edited by Username1; 01-01-2015 at 07:45 AM.
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#69
01-01-2015, 08:20 AM
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[QUOTE=Carmine;3122437]
Quote:
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#70
01-01-2015, 09:19 AM
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Ampex developed a practical home video recorder in the 60's, looked very much
like a regular VCR except that it used a reel tape that you pushed in the slot and it self threaded. Unfortunately, Ampex did not feel there was a market for such an item and it never went past the prototypes.
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#72
01-01-2015, 02:47 PM
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#74
01-01-2015, 03:48 PM
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Zenith VCR's
After selling Sony Beta for a few years that died due to lack of rentals. It wasnt tape time anymore, 5 HRs are plenty. And a Beta machine had a better pix although it was very complex mechanicaly. Then it was JVC built VHS. Probably the best VHS made. That lasted abt 5 yrs IIRC, then it was GS machines. NOT very good. Also GS was involved with Zenith radios for many years such as the R472 we got by the case. They were good. Zenith styling Up till the 80's Zenith could afford to put out a ton of models. Remember apx 1 in 4 TV's were Zenith, 1 in 4 RCA and the other half split up between ALL the others. Most differences were minor such as same cabinet painted different. The guts were all but the same. A small player with a few % share cant do that. Hand wiring Up til the 80's all sets had some hand wiring. Zenith started using PCB's in B line IIRC such as the 4 tube hybrid abt 1971. They evolved out of it, by 1980 it was history. Taking away hand wiring fast would be like Sony dropping the Trinitron or RCA being a French company !!! It was part of the package that set them apart. And NOBODY can dispute the ruggedness of them. System 3 Hand wiring gone. They get a bad rap due to the 9-160 board. Remember this is one of the most complex sets ever built. It is sure nice to slip in a new board in 10 mn instead of dealing with a HOT that blows every few weeks. Soldering was fine except on the 9-160 & 9-155-01 boards & name me a set that dont have cold joint problem often for YEARS on the same part such as a HDT, on/off relay or vert out IC !!! The CRT's were fine & tons of them are still running, I would guess 50% or more would be still in use if not for the huge changes. Enuf fer now 73 Zeno 
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#75
01-01-2015, 04:33 PM
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This Zenith console is an excellent example. Abt 1986 model
based on the 9-214 board. Comb filter, MTS, small jack pack, 27", pop out controls, bass & treble. I am 99% its NOT a Bose. The exact TV came in dark oak & light oak with a swivel base that you could leave locked if you wish. Also could get it in early american pine or maple, mediteranian & a few other styles I cant remember now. Overkill on cabinets ? NO WAY ! We had the style & the TV to fit almost any taste. They went for $850. If you took it home & paid cash $800. If we delivered to N.H. no tax ( $42.50). Sold them by the truck load (see who was president ). Zenith delivered a great set & we made $150 not bad...... As for quality 5 yrs ago before we closed we were pulling these sets to be junked that worked fine after 20 yrs along with lots of System 3's & CC2's still running. So maybe for too many years Zenith built sets WAY TO GOOD ? BTW at $25 I would take it home no matter what the squaw says ! 73 Zeno [/QUOTE]
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