Has anyone purchased one of these.. - Videokarma.org TV - Video

50scraze · #1 07-03-2011, 10:23 PM

This site has been discussed here before but has anyone actually bought from them?

http://www.predicta.com/index.shtml

Are these sets really made in the USA? I'm assuming since I cant find a price list they're really expensive? I think they're cool and may purchase one but I would like to know how good these sets are first.

mstaton · #2 07-03-2011, 10:46 PM

not sure where they are made

***Eric H*** · #3 07-03-2011, 11:31 PM

Since there aren't (and haven't been for some time) any American companies making CRT's or TV sets for some time I'd have to think the guts of these at least are sourced from overseas.
I think at one time they claimed to use RCA innards but they may have been imports also.

As for the cost, for the same money you could buy a nice Panasonic Plasma, a Bluray player, and a 7.1 Sound system and still have enough left over to buy a few of your favorite movies.

***Eric H*** · #4 07-03-2011, 11:40 PM

From their FAQ.

9. "Who makes your parts?"
"Telstar. Virtually every part made for Predicta TV, except the tube and chassis, are made by us"

From their Legal.
"From time to time it is necessary to make design, engineering, and other enhancements to the product. These differences are usually minor and necessary to keep the product evolving".

I would guess this means they can change their chassis and tube vendors as needed.

Also their FAQ seems to be a bit outdated, they are talking about HD and the digital conversion as if it's still in the future of 2006!

15. What about HDTV?

"Predicta TVs operate under the same conditions as any TV you can purchase today. Whether it be Sony or Samsung, all of these TVs are adaptable to the new broadcast standard due in 2006".

Probably the best thing to do is just call them.

ChrisW6ATV · #5 07-04-2011, 12:17 AM

If I remember right, these sets sell for about US$4000 depending on what cabinet style is chosen.

They probably have to obey the same law that applies to every other TV manufacturer in the USA now, which means any sets they are currently making have to include digital (ATSC) tuners. At best, maybe this company bought a few hundred or a few thousand digital CRT TVs in 2007 and they are using the chassis and CRTs in current Predicta production. Otherwise, if you can even buy one at all now new, it will either be pre-2007 stock, or they are modifying their design to use, say, a 26" LCD display (in which case the entire base/cabinet can be completely empty, other than containing cable extensions for the connections on the back of the flat-panel TV in the top).

vintagecollect · #6 07-04-2011, 02:32 PM

These sets are interesting and called company few years ago. The price is steep for theses sets. You can customize it. Fleabay had one or so of these for sale at a bargain. Chinese made sets w/ retro cabinet are out there cheaper and more reasonable. New or used, only if it's your main set to use for years, to get your money's worth.

50scraze · #7 07-04-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintagecollect

These sets are interesting and called company few years ago. The price is steep for theses sets. You can customize it. Fleabay had one or so of these for sale at a bargain. Chinese made sets w/ retro cabinet are out there cheaper and more reasonable. New or used, only if it's your main set to use for years, to get your money's worth.

Well thats pretty much the point. Have a new reliable set with a cool space look. A color predicta thats probably more reliable then the originals ever were! Would you happen to remember what range the prices were in. Im interested in the holiday model.

Findm-Keepm · #8 07-04-2011, 09:22 PM

No, for two reasons....they don't make them anymore (can't get the CRTs, they say) and a Consumer Reports bit about them not being UL tested/approved. I remember reading a cousin's copy of the magazine in 2007, so the article was from either 2006 or 2007. The article was about newly-made "retro appliances" vs the real deal.

Cheers,

kc8adu · #9 07-05-2011, 04:32 AM

seems it would be difficult to make a flat panel look right in one of these.that is rapidly becoming the only way one could make these.yes crt sets are still made but are such poor quality that incorperating them in this class of product will be a disaster.