|
|
|
#1
05-21-2006, 07:37 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Found an RCA CTC-49 Trans Vista...
Just found this dust-covered RCA 18" color portable at a thrift store. When I saw it in the distance at the back of the store, I figured it might be a CTC-53, but when I got closer I saw that the front panel controls were different. ...Also, it was badged with the "Trans Vista" name. That was odd-- I couldn't recall ever seeing an RCA "Trans Vista" color portable before; I thought RCA had moved on to the "XL-100" line name by the time they came out with a solid-state color portable, but I vagely remembered something I saw in an old Consumer Reports article about an early RCA color portable with an new wide deflection CRT and wondered if this might be it. The paper tag on the back of the set that would have had the model number was missing, so that was no help. Couldn't test the set either, since the cheater cord was missing. ...But, I figured it might be worth the $4.98 price tag just to find out what this darn thing is. After carting it home (gaaa-- I think this darn thing manages to be even heavier than a CTC-53! Good thing RCA built this with a super-strong carrying handle! (the one on the CTC-53/51/52/55 sets always felt a bit flimsy given the weight they needed to bear).
Anyway, here's what I've been able to determine about this thing. Anyone here know more? Wasn't able to find much with Google. - It's a CTC49. Actually, it's a CTC49XA, which, according to the SAMS index, appears to be the only version of the CTC49. In fact, there's only one model listed that uses that chassis, which is model EP506W. So, I assume that's what this is (the model number tag is missing). That seems a bit odd, though, since usually RCA offered their TVs (even portables) in at least a couple of different cabinet colors or with slightly different features. (this was generally true of the other American manufactures too at that time, of course) - Indeed, there was a Consumer Reports review of table-model color TV sets that included this model. It's in the January 1971 issue. The RCA EP506W (CU also refers to it as the "Argosy" model) was given special mention due the fact it was solid-state, made extensive use of modules, and had a new slim CRT (and shallower cabinet than any other tested set), but was given an overall middling review in terms of overall performance. It did, however, fare better than the other RCA set they reviewed-- a CTC43 tube-hybrid set that actually ended up near the bottom of the rankings (this was the predecessor of the CTC53 (and -51,52,55) chassis). [BTW, the top-rated sets in this review were a Zenith Chromacolor (B430W) and a Motorola Quasar (WP557GW).] - The cabinet really is quite a bit shallower than that of my CTC53 set. - Made a quick look-over, checked that all modules were plugged in firmly, then brought out a cheater cord to make a power-up test. Sound and HV are okay, but the vertical sweep has all but quit; raster is compressed into about a 1/4"-high area. Reseated the vertical module again to no effect; I'll have to investigate it later. - The RCA 1972 Product Technical Manual describes the new CTC46 chassis as being "similar in many respects to the CTC 49 chassis introduced in 1970" ...which I take to mean that the CTC49 was introduced for the '71 model year. Also, in describing the CTC54, it also refers back to the design of the CTC49. Incidently, the 1972 book makes no reference to any solid-state color portables-- the CTC54 was a high-end console, and the descriptions of the CTC46 give the impression that was to be in console models only. Possible questions: - Is this the first RCA solid-state color portable? - It looks like RCA only used this chassis for one model year; is that true? It looks like it was replaced with the CTC59 for 1973 (?). - Is this CRT used in any other RCA TV, for that matter? (it's not the same as that used in the CTC-53, and the 18V size would have been going out of style anyway) - When did RCA start using the "XL-100" name instead of "Trans Vista"? It looks like it was probably the 1973 or 1974 model year. I thought the XL-100 name was originally supposed to signify solid-state sets that used plug-in modules, but this one is and does. [On a related note, I once saw a low-end CTC53 with "XL Color" on its nameplate, which seemed kinda amusing.] - Even though there's apparently only one model for this chassis, and it doesn't have remote-control capability, the back of the cabinet still gives separate wattage ratings for remote-equipped and non-remote models.  So, I guess RCA figured they'd eventually offer a remote-equipped version with this chassis.
|
|
#2
05-21-2006, 07:54 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Great find! Should be a simple fix. The chassis looks alot like my CTC-54. The tuner shaft is ready for remote but I wonder if the set is ready for a remote chassis. Maybe there was a box to plug in externally for remote like that Admiral color adapter set-up. Just kidding. I suspect a two function remote system would fit in there somewhere. I bet the set will get a great picture.
Last edited by smoker76; 05-21-2006 at 08:00 PM.
|
|
#3
05-21-2006, 08:23 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I had a similar model for a short time in the late 70's, mine used a rocker switch for on/off at the top I believe.
It also had the slimline tube which I think was also the first inline or slotted matrix for RCA? (someone please correct me on this?) I remember the individual RGB output modules. Got mine from the TV shop I was working for at the time, put in a new CRT and it had a nice picture. eBay seller says this ad is from 1970, could be a 71 model year of course. Last edited by Eric H; 05-21-2006 at 08:29 PM.
|
|
#5
05-21-2006, 10:52 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
That 18V crt sure makes it look old fashioned for a solid state set. I know I have never seen one. RCA seemed to be going through an identity crisis of sorts in those years. I have a pile of the tube 18" sets; the oldest has the "eyeball" logo on the model # label but the new logo on front; some have "New Vista Color", one is the aformentioned "XL Color" and others have no identity at all. I wonder what the price difference was between the Argosy and the plain tube sets? That might have been enough to sink the early version, just like the early solid state Zenith 12" bw set that I think drh has.
__________________
Bryan Last edited by bgadow; 05-21-2006 at 10:54 PM. Reason: grammar
|
| Audiokarma |
|
#7
05-22-2006, 06:53 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
The first RCA in-line color CRT was I think in a 16V or 17V" model which was an XL-100 set. This Trans Vista is not an inline as it has a convergence board/yoke...the inline models have a bonded yoke and no convergence adjustments. The yoke on the Trans vista seems to be closer to the socket though than usual...
This set would have to been a real luxury item of its time....I doubt many people would have been willing to pay the premium price for a portable set when the tube type model would have performed almost identically well.
|
|
#8
05-22-2006, 11:51 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
That CTC49XA looks a little like the CTC62 (IIRC, it was the one with SCRs for the horizontal output) I had years ago. Unfortunately it got tossed when the CRT's green gun got too weak to make a decent picture. :-(
|
|
#9
05-23-2006, 07:48 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
According to the prices given in that CU review, the RCA Argosy was not much more expensive than many of the tube sets. The price of the RCA Argosy is given as "no list price; approx. $450," so I assume that's a "street" price. The RCA CTC-43 tube-hybrid model in the same ratings is "no list price; approx $400." By comparison, the list price of the top-ranked Zenith Chromacolor is given as $460 (which probably means a typical street price of maybe $420 - $440 at that time). [Note: there was also a cheaper Zenith model in this same review that listed at $397] Most of the other sets have list prices hovering around $400, with the least-expensive set being a Montgomery Wards for $360 (which isn't usually going to be discounted).
Still, though, $450 is a lot of money in 1971 dollars for a portable TV set. That'd easily be over a *grand* in today's dollars.
|
|
#10
05-23-2006, 07:51 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
|
| Audiokarma |
|
#11
05-23-2006, 01:13 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
Going the other way, a modern $99.99 19" TV would have cost only $21.02 in 1971.
|
|
#12
05-29-2006, 08:54 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Question: If anyone out there has a CTC49 SAMS folder or RCA service manual, could you please look up for me the correct #'s (RCA or SK part # is fine) for the two vertical output transistors? They're mounted on the chassis on a heat sink, and might be Q101 and Q102 on the schematic. They're not the same as the ones used in the CTC59, which I do have the SAMS for. On my set, the number on one of the transistors is partially rubbed off and not completely legible, and the other transistor is a Motorola replacement so I don't know for sure if it's actually correct. Thanks!
|
|
#13
05-29-2006, 09:16 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Q101 RCA: SK3054 GE-28 ECG 152
Q102 RCA: Blank GE-29 ECG 185 The Q102 is blank on the SAMS for a RCA part number. Under MFGR: they are 132573 for Q101 and 132574 for Q102. Motorola: Q101 - HEP245 Q102-HEP246 THE ECG transistors ahould be easy to find. It is SAMS 1127-2 polaraman Last edited by polaraman; 05-29-2006 at 09:20 PM.
|
|
#14
05-30-2006, 12:18 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Charles
|
|
#15
05-30-2006, 02:17 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
|
| Audiokarma |
 |
|
|
Linear Mode
