curved zenith - Videokarma.org TV - Video

DaveWM · #1 08-24-2010, 08:49 PM

anybody remember the TV (think it was a zenith) that was curved so it would fit in the corner. My bro had one and I cant recall the model. think it was in the mid 80's but not sure about that. Were they any good as far as build quality?

*zenithfan1* · #2 08-24-2010, 10:25 PM

Yep, that was Zenith. Those started in the mid '70s and went on until the System 3 in 1979, This cabinet was available until about 1981 IIRC. I can't remember the name of the model but I'd take any one of them that's a Chromacolor II, System 3 is ok but no where near as good as the CCII, IMHO. I'm sure someone will chime in with more info that I have

radiotvnut · #3 08-24-2010, 10:37 PM

That same cabinet was used with several chassis designs during the '70's and '80's. I've seen those sets that used the vertical chromacolor II chassis, the 1st generation 9-153 based system 3 chassis, the 2nd generation system 3 that used the 9-160, and the third generation system 3 that used the 9-186 HV module. The chromacolor II version was the best. The 1st generation system 3's of '78 still used a power transformer based chassis; but, they switched to an inline CRT and large printed circuit modules with those edge connectors that tended to give trouble. Also, the 9-153 HV module gave trouble in those sets. Then, we move to roughly '79-'82, the years that the 9-160 series sets were in production. This chassis eliminated the power transformer based power supply and the previous 9-153 HV module and replaced these parts with the 9-160 power supply/HV/horizontal sweep module. The rest of the modules and the inline CRT were similar to the first generation system 3 sets. The 9-160 modules had their fair share of problems; including loose connections, chain reactions that would fry many components on the board, and flybacks that would arc viiolently and sometimes catch on fire. Not to mention that there were too many heavy components attached to this module, which is probably why so many of them suffered from cracked and/or poorly soldered connections. From around '82-'86, the 3rd generation system 3 was in production. This set used a 9-181 main module and a 9-186 HV module. These sets had their own weird problems and a "dead set" could be a real PITA to fix. I've seen these sets where one module would fail and damage the other module (same goes for the 9-160 sets). Also, the inline CRT's that were used in the earlier system 3's didn't seem to last near as long as the delta gun tubes of the '70's. They weren't as bad as the '90's era tubes; but, they were still not up to snuff with the older '70's delta gun tubes. In my memory, I've not seen too many weak Zenith delta gun CRT's. The ones that were weak were still watchable and usually responded well to rejuvenation.

And, those curved Zenith TV's came with many different tuner configurations: manual single knob varactor, manual push button varactor, space command varactor, and space command digital cable ready tuning. I think the latest ones from the mid '80's even had stereo sound. Some of the late '70's-early '80's models had a picture zoom feature and/or a built in "space phone".

So, if I were to look for one of these, I'd hope to find a vertical chassis CCII version. The later sets produced a good picture; but, were not built as well and were not near as easy to troubleshoot.

radiotvnut · #4 08-24-2010, 10:44 PM

Here's a YT video of one that's supposedly from '85:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okFi7YE7upM

And, here's another from '76:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T5xNPTjRN4

Red Raster · #5 08-25-2010, 12:49 AM

Hi i remember working on a chromacolor II chasis in a curved cabinet as well as a system 3
A horrible but funny service shop story: we lost contol of the set while taking it out of the van and the top arberite got a gouge in it , luckily next door was shoe repair shop and i was able to color match the faux red and black wood grain with colored shoe wax, and of course the customer had to be so annal when we picked it up from his home. we luckily got away with this dirty little secret.
Note! use three people to carry the curved cabinet it is so out of balance and is back heavey.
mike

AndyMack · #6 08-25-2010, 02:30 AM

If I recall correctly, the model name of those sets was Panorama. It's actually quite amazing how many of those are still around, considering the oddball cabinet. Seems that Zenith sold a ton of them through the years.

DaveWM · #7 08-25-2010, 07:27 AM

thanks guys for the input.

DaveWM · #8 08-31-2010, 09:30 PM

http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/hsh/1924022201.html

boy I tell you what I wish I was a bit closer, this one looks nice

heathkit tv · #9 01-10-2011, 12:19 AM

As if I don't already have enough projects and not enough room:
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/atq/2145446383.html

DaveWM · #10 01-10-2011, 07:15 AM

Nice, go for it

sampson159 · #11 01-10-2011, 08:32 AM

i was at an estate sale in beavercreek last spring.there were 2 of these zeniths in the house.one was the curved white model and the other was a corner model.both were system 3 sets.working with excellent inline crts.i didnt have my truck,so i didnt retrieve them.both were in perfect condition and the price tag was 50.00 for the pair.kicking myself since and every post on these results with a new self-induced kick to my behind.

heathkit tv · #12 01-10-2011, 10:00 AM

As much as I like these corner sets, I'd really like to get ahold of an Avanti. Preferably a SS CCII and one that hasn't yellowed with age (unlike my teeth). Gotta have that dark wood(?) top too.

DaveWM · #13 01-10-2011, 11:15 AM

ah the avanti, I have one, with 25DC56 with tuning knob, and not yellow, love that set.

kx250rider · #14 01-10-2011, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyMack

If I recall correctly, the model name of those sets was Panorama. It's actually quite amazing how many of those are still around, considering the oddball cabinet. Seems that Zenith sold a ton of them through the years.

Correct... The Panorama. There supposedly was a tube hybrid and also a 25DC56 flat chassis solid state version in '72, but I've never seen one. They were made at least through the mid-80s, and maybe as late as '90. I have a '74 version with the 25EC45 chassis and SC600XL remote (varactor electronic tuning with white thumb wheels).

Charles