AWA Thorn 180 Projection TV

[dr.ido]

I haven't been around much lately, partly due to illness and other issues. Once again though it was rubbish collection time in my area and I couldn't resist having a look around.

A friend saw this and described it as some weird stereo cabinet with 3 lights behind the doors. So I went to pick it up (with great difficulty).

It's an AWA Thorn model 180 projection TV, made by Mitsubishi. The first of it's kind that I've ever seen. It's already been partially disassembled, but everything seems to be there.

I've yet to attempt to get it running. From memory these used a curved aluminised screen which I don't have. Has anyone managed to get a usable picture out of this type of projector without the original screen?

[jr_tech]

Nice!

Those Schmidt mirror CRTs are really a work of art. Advent used similar CRTs on a very early model.
http://www.walvisions.com/ArchivePag...m_brochure.htm
It will not be very bright on a painted wall... I suspect that the curved screen that came with that model was similar to the Advent screen and had high gain (but narrow viewing angle).

Years ago, I repaired an Advent VidioBeam... It was a hot night, so I set it up in the driveway, projecting on the garage door to test it. It was dim, and the convergence was poor in the corners, due to the lack of a proper curved screen, but looked pretty good. I set up a couple of chairs, popped a cold one and put on a laserdisk movie. Turned out to be a real traffic stopper!... people driving by were totally taken by the huge video picture on my garage door.

jr

[Sandy G]

The Atavachron !!! (grin) Neat save...

[AndrewM]

What a beast! I'm surprised you could move it at all given its size.

I've had a quick look at its specs, it produced a 180cm image with a focal length of 198cm.
So if you find a decent wall and place the projector 2m away it should produce an acceptable picture.