Vintage TV for $5!

[CompuNurd]

I saw this at a thrift store a while back, then I came back today and it hadn't gone anywhere. I got it for $5 and it works (I guess?)

It just shows static when you turn it on, since there are no longer analog signals in existence. I also found a VHF and UHF converter in a parts box of mine. Basically, I want to be able to hook stuff up to it via coaxial such as a DVD player or cable box. Maybe someone can help me out with this?

Here's what we're working with:



It's an awesome looking set:

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

Should just screw those together, I used to have a converter like that.

Good for Duck Hunt.

 

[CompuNurd]

VHF output on the converter is just coaxial. I need channel 3-4

 

[tanuki65]

Nice, but newer (1990s) CRT TVs are really cheap. Sometimes you see them for free on a sidewalk!

 

[Gorgonops]

You need one of these.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/RCA-VH54-LVH54N-RCA-VH54-LVH54N-Indoor-Matching-Transformer/20588615

EDIT: Note that's a completely outrageous price for one. For example:

http://www.cnaweb.com/indoor-nickel-matching-transformer.aspx?gclid=Cj0KEQjw4fCqBRDM1ZKhk5jfo6IBEiQAZQ97OHh6NLL77trhylPIVvI0kVZ-8fJV1F2YJbTFDm6KpBIaAuAW8P8HAQ

Used to be you couldn't go through any junk drawer without finding one of these things, but I guess it's been 20 years since people commonly needed them.

 

[CompuNurd]

Picked one up at radio shack for $6 ish. I'll see how it turns out!

 

[CompuNurd]

Got a VCR out and after some adjustments, I can clearly see the menu screen. It is a black and white TV, but that's what I was expecting. I might try to find a place for it in the garage and hook my iPad to it.

 

[Gorgonops]

You need an Apple II to set that on!

 

[CompuNurd]

I got one, maybe I will someday. I want to take the stuff off the shelves and set up some of the better machines with accessories on a long table so people can just turn one on and start messing with it.

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

That looks more appropriate for an Atari 2600, IMO.

 

[Macdrone]

Apple II is better as Atari has color and black and white.

 

[tanuki65]

Apple IIs (at least the //e enhanced I used) do this cool thing where they represent colours as bunches of black and white dots. They're great on both both B&W and colour screens.

 

[Garrett]

The Apple ][ should be able to display color, or at least that is what I thought. (That was why they made the Apple "colorful.")

 

[Gorgonops]

When the Apple II came out small color TVs were $300-$400, while a black-and-white model was more like $60. (To say nothing of what a real "color monitor" cost.) A *lot* of Apple II's ended up hooked to B&W TVs back in the day.

 

[CompuNurd]

What all would I need to connect my iPad Mini to this for YouTube and the like? I have a regular coax connection now, but what is the cheapest option to go about this?

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

My guess would be iPad to RCA, then an RCA-Coax adapter.

That being said, did Apple ever make an iPad to RCA Lightning cable, or was that just 30-pin?

 

[CC_333]

They have a 30-pin to RCA adapter, and I got one with the intent to toy around with getting it to work on my iPhone (which has a lightening connector) with an adapter. I never got around to it, but seeing this has reminded me, so maybe I'll check it out... eventually.

By the way, what era do you all think that TV is from? I say maybe mid-late seventies or early eighties. Does it have a "date of manufacture" sticker on it anywhere?

c

 

[CelGen]

I'd put it around 1983. I own two Electrohome sets myself. Great units for stuff that only does RF.

an RCA-Coax adapter.

It's called an "RF Modulator"

Best thing about where I live is that we still have analog VHF, so the good old '53 in the living room can pull in local programming.

 

[CompuNurd]

Manufactured in 1977 for those wondering.