Newest Trinket... - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Sandy G · #1 08-27-2008, 02:04 PM

Like I NEEDED another one, but I saw one of those too-cute little Sharp 3LS36(W) 3" color sets. This one is white, I already had a Pepto-Bismol pink version. I got it for $36, + about $20 shipping, & I have seen these l'il guys go for a couple hunnert. Only fault I see is that if you're tuning UHF, the "color bar" doesn't show up, but it apparently still tunes. Color & picture are GREAT. Us Boyz 'n' Our Toyz....Sheesh ! (grin)

*zenithfan1* · #2 08-27-2008, 02:13 PM

Nice! Can we see some pics?

jdandy · #3 08-27-2008, 02:31 PM

Everyone always needs at least two 3" color TV's. I mean, what would you do if one went bad, right?

Sandy G · #4 08-27-2008, 03:05 PM

I REALLY need to get a digicam-& then shanghai Bethany into showin' me how to work the damthing...Teeny tiny CRT-based TVs are kind of a passion of mine...I have 15 or so...several of which are color. They're harder to find, because they were usually outrageously expensive when new, not many were sold. I bought a 1.5" Panasonic color set when they were new at the local hardware store, everybody thought I was Nutz 'cause I paid as much for it as I would have for a "real" TV... OTOH, a lot of them are practically new appearing, they generally didn't see much use. They DO have problems, though-These Sharps have an IC that has a tendency to go "Shazzbat", & they are about Unobtanium.. The little Panasonic 1.5"s have a cabinet that will almost break if you look at it cross-eyed. Most of these guys date from the early-mid 1980s, & you don't have the big "network" of aficionados that provide parts & tech support that "real" antique electronics have, & the companies generally are useless, especially now that CRTs are dirty words. I have 2 little Quasar 3.5" color sets from '85 that Matsushita has no reference at all to ever producing...But dammitt, I have 2 of 'em..Had 3, & gave one away to a boy...

wajobu · #5 08-27-2008, 03:08 PM

I love those little Tee Vees.

I have a teeny Casio B&W LCD with mirror reflector display. I picked it up at Caldor here in CT about 20 years ago on closeout for about 80% off...I think it was $20. Two AA batteries and a decent signal and ding...TV to go. It's about 2/3s the size of a cassette tape. I guess, however, that Feb 2009 will be its last since there's no way to plug a cable feed into it.

Sandy G · #6 08-27-2008, 03:44 PM

Most of these guys have some way of jury-rigging an external antenna to 'em...Except the aforementioned Quasars..Which are VERY odd ducks..They have dedicated Wall-Wart power supplies that are about 2-3X as big as ones found today. Next, they have the "works" in a box-shaped container, which has a substantial carrying handle built in. There's a "pod' shaped thingy that holds the CRT that fits in the handle, & has a slight bit of adjustment. But there is apparently NO WAY of attaching an external antenna, altho there is a multi-outlet plug space INSIDE the "works" box. But the "plug" needs an adaptor of some sort to accept an antenna-or the more common 1/8" mini-pin that is typically in use nowadays. Yet NONE of the 3 examples that I've had of this l'il salami have had the adaptor, so who knows ? I can't believe that in '85, a company such as Matsushita would be so irresponsible NOT to have a primo product such as this where it couldn't hook up to ALL the multitudinous video devices of the day-but there it is. Ahh, the joys of TV collecting...Thrill a minute !

Phil Nelson · #7 08-27-2008, 05:27 PM

Hey, I have one of those, in the Pepto-Bismol flavor! It sits by our bedside.

http://www.antiqueradio.org/Sharp3LS36.htm

It has an external antenna jack, as well as audio/video, so it can still be used after the conversion to digital broadcasting. It is perfect for quietly watching late-night TV after my wife zonks out.

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html

markdi · #8 08-27-2008, 05:46 PM

that thing looks pretty kool

Sandy G · #9 08-27-2008, 07:17 PM

Dat's it ! They made 'em in 4 colors I know of-Pink, White, Silver, & Black. Judging by E-place auctions, for some odd reason the Pepto-Bismols were more popular.

wajobu · #10 08-27-2008, 07:26 PM

That's so cool there Sandy!

andy · #11 08-27-2008, 07:36 PM

...

mr_fixer · #12 08-27-2008, 08:42 PM

Wow! That is a real cute TV! kinda looks like something out of a Sci-fi movie, like a Video phone thing, Congrats Sandy!

Sandy G · #13 08-27-2008, 08:55 PM

...But I've got quite a few TVs that you CAN'T hook up an ext antenna to, no how, no way. 3 1956 8" RCAs, a Safari, & some other stuff. Guess I'll just hafta have me a TV-Go-Out-With-A-BANG-Day w/Mr Smith & Mr Wesson sometime early next year...Hehehehehe...NOT !!

peverett · #14 08-27-2008, 10:12 PM

You can always move to within 50 miles of the Mexican border(if the bill that just passed the Senate passes the House and is signed). That will give you 4 more years.

As to the RCAs, I have three of these(unrestored) and two of them do have the external antenna connections with the third having the mounting cutouts for the connection. Seems like these could be modified.

zenith2134 · #15 08-27-2008, 10:24 PM

Those are cool sets. I've yet to come across a mini-CRT set. Smallest tv I own is a 5"b&w panasonic at the moment. As for the Quasars, I have two '85 11" sets with the swivel base. These sets get channels 2-13, with 2 addt'l UHF channels that you have to set yourself. The tuning is on top of the crt, left to right, with little LEDs . These are the TVs with the remote which is an exact replica of the TV, with an insert to put a small photograph where the crt face would normally be, in 'real life'.

I'm going to be on the hunt for more little fellas!