Got a 1984 System 3 - Videokarma.org TV - Video

jstout66 · #1 12-11-2005, 09:54 AM

at an estate sale this week-end. And I have a few comments and questions for those of you that have repaired these. It's model number SZ2527P, and it's an 84 model. The former owner bought it 6/12/84. So here's my questions. It's a Space Command, with that drop down door on the front door with a touchpad. How do you "add" channels? On the touchpad it has an area that has chn rcl and a skip button. It is set to skip thru a ton of channels and I can't figure out how to "add" them back. You can enter them in directly, but it won't keep them in memory. Also, upper cable channels above 59 aren't clear. Would that be a tuner problem? Also this set has a feature to take 4 antenna inputs. It's got a large input rack bolted on the back, which you also have to plug into AC. There is even an Antenna button on the remote and keypad. What the hell was that feature for? My 3rd question is: this set has a 25VHFP22 inline tri-focus tube. I love the "look" of this set, and altho the picture is "watchable" it isn't really that good. B&W isn't too bad, but the green gun must be a tad week, as you cannot get decent flesh-tones. Also lettering in the corners are a bit out of focus and if you crank up the Picture control too high you get "bleed", so I'm assuming the tube is week. I've seen comments in other threads that the 25" tri-focus inline tubes didn't hold up that well. I have a 1979 19" System 3 with a fantastic picture. I sold System 3's till about 1982, and feel bad if all those consoles I pushed didn't have long-lived tubes. I had the back off and I can't find the screen controls to "tweak" it. I'm not going to use this as an intended daily watcher as I had planned with it's current picture. The Chromacolor 2 that I was using blows this one away..... Anyway, any tips on adding channels and your opinion on having a new picture tube put in this set would be appreciated.

andy · #2 12-11-2005, 10:30 AM

To add channels, enter the channel number and hit enter on the keypad on the TV (not the remote).

Try removing the antenna switcher to see if that's causing the snowy channels. You only need it if you're using several antennas, or an antenna and cable. Try connecting the cable to the UHF input if it has one. TVs with separate UHF and VHF inputs need to have the cable signal going to the UHF input for channels above 65 which are in the same band as UHF. 80's Zeniths also had bad soldering in the tuner under the shield. I had to resolder every one I saw to avoid intermittent snow.

jstout66 · #3 12-11-2005, 11:20 AM

Thanks Andy! That did it! (for adding channels) The snow is still on the upper ones tho. I did plug the cable wire directly into the sets input (not on the box) I'll just run the set on channel 4 and run the channels thru the VCR for the upper ones. I'm still debating weather to keep the set and have the tube changed. There is still a few repair shops in Omaha. I saw online a 25VHFP22 picture tube is $99.00. Guess I'll call and see how much a tube will be locally, and if it's too high, I'll probably just give the set away. I have a friend who has been wanting a console, and the picture is still good enough for him, but not for me as I tend to focus on every fault on a set, and it drives me nuts. I'm just trying to save the Chromacolors and early System 3's as I think they are under-appreciated in the collector field. I personally like the Chromacolors better, but will always try to keep a working System 3 around as well.

colortrakker · #4 12-11-2005, 11:45 AM

Might be a lost cause if you're considering getting rid of the set, but about that "Antenna" button on the remote: it selects the input of the switcher box that's attached to the set. My '83-vintage 19" System 3 has that button on its remote, and looking back, it's a really cool feature...turns the set into a monitor, basically. Cool as it is, though, I still don't think it's as cool as Space Phone.

If you do get rid of the set, is there any way we can talk about that switcher?

jstout66 · #5 12-11-2005, 01:23 PM

I hear ya Andy! I wish I had a Space Phone set, and actually have someone who I can get one from when they get a new set. So does your 19" System 3 have the redi plug in the back? If your set can use it, than sure you can get my switcher box, if I get rid of my System 3. Will keep you posted. Jamie

colortrakker · #6 12-11-2005, 02:18 PM

Yump! Got the Redi-Plug. I've even got a button on the set itself that can change inputs on that box. I'm guessing yours does too. Good luck with it if you keep it!

jstout66 · #7 12-11-2005, 04:30 PM

I'm still undecided if I will keep it. The picture is good, but not outstanding like the Chromacolor 2 that I just had in my office. My CTC-16 is supposed to be done soon and that is the set that will be in the office, so either way the Chroma 2 and this System 3 will be in storage anyway. Was the switcher box an added expense? And yes... mine has the switch on the door and the remote. Jamie

colortrakker · #8 12-11-2005, 11:41 PM

Yeah, the box was extra. And the sets designed for it were kinda expensive to begin with. The one I have listed for $729 and cost the dealer a little over $500. No wonder it took him 21 years to sell it!

jstout66 · #9 12-12-2005, 05:52 AM

oh ya... YOU'RE the one that got that NOS set! Isn't yours the 19" table model in a wood cabinet? My Uncle was a Zenith dealer and I had one of those. Sure wish I had it now! And yes... Zenith sets were VERY expensive. I remember some people not too happy about the price and say "we can go up the street, and get a better deal on a set" and we would say "That's your choice, but it won't be a Zenith" We were in a small farming community, and we had a Sylvania dealer up the street and an RCA dealer on the edge of town. The dealer that sold the lady that owned my System 3 must of made a tidy profit. He sold her a top of the line console, a 5 year picture tube warranty, and this switcher box. She was 68 when she bought this set, and I did not see a VCR or anything hooked up to the set, so that box was un-needed for her. I see see put an address label on it tho! It's too bad the picture tube isn't better on this one, but as discussed in other posts I don't think the 25" tubes held up well. My 1979 19" space command still looks fantastic, but not as good as my delta Chromacolor tubes. Will let you know shortly about getting you the box. If my friend takes the set, then it's yours.

colortrakker · #10 12-12-2005, 10:05 AM

Not that you'd need any reminders, but here's what mine looks like:

Kinda made other sets look like the Durabrands of their era. I know some RCAs from the early '80s looked particularly cheap, and probably aren't as durable as Zeniths. My aunt's still got a 25" console she got in about 1988 or '89 - one problem a few years ago, but it's still solid.

jstout66 · #11 07-16-2006, 09:40 PM

I'm pretty sure the picture tube went out on this one, so it's getting trashed. If there are any parts anybody needs from it, give a hollar. I gave this set to a friend who likes consoles and the picture kept getting worse and worse. I didn't have any modules to try out for this, so unsure if it was a chassis or picture tube problem. The set has a greenish cast to everything and a big pink "splotch" is now on 1/2 the screen. ANy suggestions?