I was cleaning out my closet and I found this old Mitsubishi MGA BB-0580 Portable B&W TV that I bought way back in the 80's. The last time this TV was used was right after the 1989 earthquake. Our power was out so we had to use this TV after I found some batteries to power it. I tried to use it again at work for the 1990 Super Bowl, but it didn’t work. I put it in my closet intending to get it fixed, but I forgot about it. The AM/FM radio and clock still work, but since TV broadcasts went digital it can’t receive them without a digital converter box so it's now headed for the recycling center.
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Delete Confirmation
I was cleaning out my closet and I found this old Mitsubishi MGA BB-0580 Portable B&W TV that I bought way back in the 80's. The last time this TV was used was right after the 1989 earthquake. Our power was out so we had to use this TV after I found some batteries to power it. I tried to use it again at work for the 1990 Super Bowl, but it didn’t work. I put it in my closet intending to get it fixed, but I forgot about it. The AM/FM radio and clock still work, but since TV broadcasts went digital it can’t receive them without a digital converter box so it's now headed for the recycling center.
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I would take that off your hands, if you were near me.
I'd keep that as a retro prop or decoration, it looks awesome!
Too bad those old analogs don't work anymore with the digital conversion and all. I had the exact Sony Watchman that Dustin Hoffman used in Rain Man at one point. I think people use this now for other purposes.
Too bad those old analogs don't work anymore with the digital conversion and all. I had the exact Sony Watchman that Dustin Hoffman used in Rain Man at one point. I think people use this now for other purposes.
That's definitely a great piece of electronic memorabilia. I would keep hanging on to that.
I used to have a little TV that had nothing but black and white picture. Two, I think.
It would be pretty nice to have that portable one.
It would be pretty nice to have that portable one.
Friends of mine have said the someone would buy the TV even though it doesn't work. So I listed it on Ebay: http://tinyurl.com/mr3e5ul
I have a handheld TV that is useless for the same reason. I think every city should have one analog station for so something can be picked up on those old TV, you know emergencies and so forth.
Those TV's can usually be fixed pretty easily. Bad fuse or capacitor is the most common component to fail.
Those TV's can usually be fixed pretty easily. Bad fuse or capacitor is the most common component to fail.
bassman21
I have a handheld TV that is useless for the same reason. I think every city should have one analog station for so something can be picked up on those old TV, you know emergencies and so forth.
Those TV's can usually be fixed pretty easily. Bad fuse or capacitor is the most common component to fail.
There are digital handheld TV's. I started thinking about buying one right after the Napa earthquake happened last month. Fortunately, we didn't lose power like when the 1989 earthquake hit.
Since the TV is analog, I just don't want to bother getting it fixed.
Edgold707
There are digital handheld TV's. I started thinking about buying one right after the Napa earthquake happened last month. Fortunately, we didn't lose power like when the 1989 earthquake hit.
Since the TV is analog, I just don't want to bother getting it fixed.
I have a hand held digital TV. What sucks about them is because its digital it's all or nothing. If the signal's weak you don't get a fuzzy picture, you get freezing, tiling and a blank screen.
I hate that too. Digital signal looks great, but when it's not perfect it's worthless. It gets the great press, but analog is truly more resilient.
This thing is cool just because of the clock. I have plenty of clock radios but no clock TVs. Good luck with the auction, I hope it finds a new home.
Wait a minute now...you say the TV DOES NOT WORK. Is that only because "broadcasts went digital"? The tube still turns on and gets a picture (of static)? If so, that's good! I would amend the listing. A collector wants the original function and might not care about what's out there to receive. Say "the last time this TV was used" instead of "last time it was working" and add a picture of it powered on. As well as the clock being on.
As a matter of fact, I'd have to check but I'm pretty sure my city does still have one or two analog stations on the air (As bassman mentioned).
Wait a minute now...you say the TV DOES NOT WORK. Is that only because "broadcasts went digital"? The tube still turns on and gets a picture (of static)? If so, that's good! I would amend the listing. A collector wants the original function and might not care about what's out there to receive. Say "the last time this TV was used" instead of "last time it was working" and add a picture of it powered on. As well as the clock being on.
As a matter of fact, I'd have to check but I'm pretty sure my city does still have one or two analog stations on the air (As bassman mentioned).
Hey Edgold707, love the look of that beast. You should have no trouble selling it, no fake wood paneling to ruin it, lol.
Digital signals are so finicky. Seriously somebody starts their truck or something like that and my reception goes out!
stake_n_sheak
This thing is cool just because of the clock. I have plenty of clock radios but no clock TVs. Good luck with the auction, I hope it finds a new home.
Wait a minute now...you say the TV DOES NOT WORK. Is that only because "broadcasts went digital"? The tube still turns on and gets a picture (of static)? If so, that's good! I would amend the listing. A collector wants the original function and might not care about what's out there to receive. Say "the last time this TV was used" instead of "last time it was working" and add a picture of it powered on. As well as the clock being on.
As a matter of fact, I'd have to check but I'm pretty sure my city does still have one or two analog stations on the air (As bassman mentioned).
The TV does not turn on. No static, no sound.
Edgold did state in his earlier post that it wasn't working in 1990, well before the digital switch.
One thing I saw as a kid that I really wanted was essentially the reverse of that. While that is a TV with a radio added, this was a giant ghettoblaster with a small (4" maybe?) tv built in.
Analog TVs aren't completely useless these days. They can be used to connect old gaming systems to, systems which don't work well with modern TVs (especially games with light guns), they could likewise be hooked up to VCRs, DVD players, cable boxes, or any other source (although that wouldn't be very helpful for a portable TV).
Beyond that though, you can actually transmit your own television signal for them to recieve. You can connect a transmitter to your cable box, OtA antenna, DVD player, or anything else, and have any TV within range be able to watch it. Here's one article I found from some guy who did it: http://www.antiqueradio.org/HomeTVTransmitter.htm
One thing I saw as a kid that I really wanted was essentially the reverse of that. While that is a TV with a radio added, this was a giant ghettoblaster with a small (4" maybe?) tv built in.
Analog TVs aren't completely useless these days. They can be used to connect old gaming systems to, systems which don't work well with modern TVs (especially games with light guns), they could likewise be hooked up to VCRs, DVD players, cable boxes, or any other source (although that wouldn't be very helpful for a portable TV).
Beyond that though, you can actually transmit your own television signal for them to recieve. You can connect a transmitter to your cable box, OtA antenna, DVD player, or anything else, and have any TV within range be able to watch it. Here's one article I found from some guy who did it: http://www.antiqueradio.org/HomeTVTransmitter.htm
