Did you make provision in your will for these sets to be preserved or donated to a museum? We don't want them lost or destroyed should anyhting bad happen....just sayin. It's an awesome collection. If I were to visit your workshop I'd be like a kid in a candy store.
I have a question not directly related to this TV. Listening to a 1966 baseball broadcast, they advertised Motorola color TV at "15 cents per viewing hour." I was unclear how they were figuring this. They were making it sound like a subscription of sorts, but I'm sure that's not it. Do you have any insight?
@uxwbill Actually the yellowing (it's really green) is from the manufacturing process of this particular type picture tube. I doubt whether anyone at present day Motorola would have any memory of the era when it actually made TVs and other consumer electronics in America. Sad.
quasars had very sharp pictures great focus and sweep circuits. the hybrid modular sets had problems. they had a solid state version of this set that was great in 68
That TV looks lovely. (P.S. about what you said towards the beginning, my Grandfather on my moms side worked for both Motorola then Zenith and even owns a couple patents through them both. So yes, its very possible ideas were traded back and forth.
Did channel 6 on the VHF band stop broadcasting, if so, when did they go off the air? Channel 6 was that low power channel with ads and music on it when you showed the Zenith TV after you first moved into your new house. Gary
My neighbor had the same set as a tabletop model. This was a reliable and well built set with a hand wired chassis (no PC boards). I took care of the servicing of her set. One or two tubes maybe one time in each 2 years. A capacitor or two during the time she owned it.
in 69 they came out with a solid state version of this set that was the most reliable long lasting set made .I never worked on one cause it never broke. I put an rca 25 ajp22 in one. the
The real reason we have flat screen TV's now is because if a lot of people today had to wait a minute for the tubes to warm up they'd get impatient and angry an throw a chair at the TV.
That set has really good picture for its age ! This when tv where built well in the USA ! Built to last . Motorola really built quality products ! In fact a lot of police departments ect use Motorola 2 way radios . I once had a Motorola BW set that worked really well & had the solid state singal sensor XL .
I had the same identical Motorola TV years ago however in a metal cabinet table model version...my first color TV. Bought it used for $50 back in about 1976. It was not that good of a performer. Picture tube weak and I had to put a booster on it. UHF tuner had weird black lines grow in the picture as the set warmed up. Color never that good. The blue may have been a little purple. I think tube sockets were kinda poor too as they crumbled from heat and age. Wires broke off easy due to heat related. Then needed a schematic to see where the respective wires went. Though I did love the lay out of the front knob channel selectors, intensity color controls, etc. arrangement design of the set. A+ to the Motorola designers for giving this TV a shiny modern disco appeal styling. I thought it looked classier then a Zenith TV. This was a tube economy model compared to solid state? In retrospect one might have thought that it would be a lot more expensive for a tube set to be built then a bunch of a little transistors. Solid state technology new at the time and one had to pay more for it.
If you're still here Duane, I think what you were seeing on your UHF dial was something called "snivets." My family had a 1972 Quasar II that had this problem: black lines that ran vertically across the screen (forget what side they appeared on) and would change shape and thickness as you tuned across the UHF band. Apparently this must have been a recurring problem with Motorola sets, but certainly not the only one. I also have a 1950s Philco "Transitone" portable with the same problem. As I understand, it is caused by a UHF oscillation occurring in the horizontal deflection circuits and being picked up by the UHF tuner and passed down the signal chain where it mixes with the video signal, producing the lines. As I recall, there was no surefire cure for this phenomenon.
In the late 60's my parents bought one of Motorola's Quasar Work's in a Draw console color TV to replace a very unreliable '66 RCA console TV. It was much better set than the RCA. They had that set until the late 70's when they replaced it with a new Quasar. By that time Motorola had quit making TVs and I believe Matshushita bought the Quasar from Motorola. It too was very reliable set lasting well into the mid 90's before it was replaced with a Sharp.
I wrote a letter to Motorola and they told me that they sold the TV business to Matsushita on May 28, 1974, and along with it the rights to the "Quasar" trademark.
My grandfolks had a 25" Motorola tube console with a metal cabinet. Color never seemed right on it . Green or purple flesh tones. We never had a color set till 1974.
If you're still on here, I would say the best 2 TVs I ever Had was The Family's 1957 Floor model Magnavox B&W Tube TV, that worked until 1975, it was really tough and heavy, and the other one was a 1993 Sony Trinitron, really strong and one time I moved and had to take it Up the stairs in my new Apartment, Me and My Co Worker nearly got a Hernia carrying that Monstrosity. I had to get rid of that one in an unexpected transfer, so I don't know how long it lasted!
It looks nice and clean for its age. The foldover is likely caused by the damper tube, it's surprising the CRT isn't gassy and has good cathode emission in all three guns, likely it was replaced at some point..
Doug Great Set... Like the way you can use TV's Tuner talking about DTA Converter the best Digital Stream 9950 I find pulls in all TV Channels like the way you get TV and your not even hooked up to an outdoor antenna... I tell Direct TV I have is terrible goes out a the time it's rains now I'm using DTV works better
Our first color tv was an RCA console back in 1968 or so. It was a real chore having to test 25-30 vacuum tubes every few months. What a relief when Dad upgraded to a newer model five years later with a tv that had solid state circuitry. All those tubes shown on this video were replaced with transistors on a base screwed onto the sidewall of the cabinet. No more extreme heat buildup inside the console. These old tv's weren't called curtain burners for nothing.
Doug how is this possible only using a bow tie antenna? I have to use a big antenna on my roof to be able to get TV stations i did try rabbit eats one 2 Channels I get NBC ABC
This sure brings back memories for me. My grandfather was a Motorola and GE dealer and I used to go with him to make service calls. I remember those clips on the back cover because I used to help him take them off. My parents had a '68 works in the drawer set in a huge Drexel cabinet. I bet that thing weighed 250lbs. Motorolas from the 60's were very good sets. GE's were too. Unfortunately, later Quasars dropped in quality about 72-73, and they really did when Matsushita took over.
They never made VCRs. Way back in 1980, I wrote them a letter asking about Quasar, and they told me that they sold the TV business to Matsushita on May 28, 1974. I did see a you tube posting where the man who narrates this video was showing a Motorola Quasar TV that was made in January 1975, as per the date stamped on the set.
Thank you for taking the time to show your 1968 Motorola Color Television! Fantastic that it still works. My parents always bought RCA or GE when I was growing up in the 1950's (yes, I really am that old). But I also remember Motorola. Beautiful cabinet, by the way!
Wow! That's a beaut! I didn't think any analog channels would still be up. I thought those freqs were reallocated. Great example! Puts me in mind to go back to hunting up a CTC10. Cheers!
Nice set and a great picture! It looks like it was barely used for a 40+ year old set. And as you said, they really made interesting use of the space inside. Most of the tube sets I poked around in as a kid had the horizontal output and damper tubes right beside each other next to the HV cage. This is the first one I've seen with the damper tube within easy reach and the horizontal output tube so far inside, though they're both next to the HV cage.
that was a nice TV and the one feature of the picture tube was glare free
Did you make provision in your will for these sets to be preserved or donated to a museum? We don't want them lost or destroyed should anyhting bad happen....just sayin. It's an awesome collection. If I were to visit your workshop I'd be like a kid in a candy store.
I have a question not directly related to this TV. Listening to a 1966 baseball broadcast, they advertised Motorola color TV at "15 cents per viewing hour." I was unclear how they were figuring this. They were making it sound like a subscription of sorts, but I'm sure that's not it. Do you have any insight?
@uxwbill Actually the yellowing (it's really green) is from the manufacturing process of this particular type picture tube.
I doubt whether anyone at present day Motorola would have any memory of the era when it actually made TVs and other consumer electronics in America. Sad.
quasars had very sharp pictures great focus and sweep circuits. the hybrid modular sets had problems. they had a solid state version of this set that was great in 68
Perfeito
wow, quite a little light show inside the cabinet from the tubes. I love tube technology, everything sounds so much warmer.
You guys up north find these types of sets all the time.. Down in Florida these type of sets don't ever popup...
Is there still analog TV in your area? Or do you have a little transmitter nearby?
Would surely like to own a vintage color tube roundie set! Can’t find ANY in my area.
My cousin had this model in the French Provincial cabinet
I saw a 26" GE a few days ago which was a little older- about 1963-64. It was all tube, like this set.
That TV looks lovely. (P.S. about what you said towards the beginning, my Grandfather on my moms side worked for both Motorola then Zenith and even owns a couple patents through them both. So yes, its very possible ideas were traded back and forth.
Did channel 6 on the VHF band stop broadcasting, if so, when did they go off the air? Channel 6 was that low power channel with ads and music on it when you showed the Zenith TV after you first moved into your new house.
Gary
My neighbor had the same set as a tabletop model. This was a reliable and well built set with a hand wired chassis (no PC boards). I took care of the servicing of her set. One or two tubes maybe one time in each 2 years. A capacitor or two during the time she owned it.
in 69 they came out with a solid state version of this set that was the most reliable long lasting set made .I never worked on one cause it never broke. I put an rca 25 ajp22 in one. the
The real reason we have flat screen TV's now is because if a lot of people today had to wait a minute for the tubes to warm up they'd get impatient and angry an throw a chair at the TV.
Nice set. It's funny, seeing older technology showing new technology..60's tv meets 21st Century smart phones..lol.
That set has really good picture for its age ! This when tv where built well in the USA ! Built to last . Motorola really built quality products ! In fact a lot of police departments ect use Motorola 2 way radios . I once had a Motorola BW set that worked really well & had the solid state singal sensor XL .
We had a 25" b and w with the ss signal sensor . Ran for 20 yrs with only 1 repair.
who would think a iphone ad on that old tv lol i love technology
Those were the days, your TV was a peice of furniture.
Muito legal!!
I like pretty much to watch this kinda video 'bout old t technology!
Tks so much!!
I had the same identical Motorola TV years ago however in a metal cabinet table model version...my first color TV. Bought it used for $50 back in about 1976. It was not that good of a performer. Picture tube weak and I had to put a booster on it. UHF tuner had weird black lines grow in the picture as the set warmed up. Color never that good. The blue may have been a little purple. I think tube sockets were kinda poor too as they crumbled from heat and age. Wires broke off easy due to heat related. Then needed a schematic to see where the respective wires went. Though I did love the lay out of the front knob channel selectors, intensity color controls, etc. arrangement design of the set. A+ to the Motorola designers for giving this TV a shiny modern disco appeal styling. I thought it looked classier then a Zenith TV. This was a tube economy model compared to solid state? In retrospect one might have thought that it would be a lot more expensive for a tube set to be built then a bunch of a little transistors. Solid state technology new at the time and one had to pay more for it.
If you're still here Duane, I think what you were seeing on your UHF dial was something called "snivets." My family had a 1972 Quasar II that had this problem: black lines that ran vertically across the screen (forget what side they appeared on) and would change shape and thickness as you tuned across the UHF band. Apparently this must have been a recurring problem with Motorola sets, but certainly not the only one. I also have a 1950s Philco "Transitone" portable with the same problem. As I understand, it is caused by a UHF oscillation occurring in the horizontal deflection circuits and being picked up by the UHF tuner and passed down the signal chain where it mixes with the video signal, producing the lines. As I recall, there was no surefire cure for this phenomenon.
In the late 60's my parents bought one of Motorola's Quasar Work's in a Draw console color TV to replace a very unreliable '66 RCA console TV. It was much better set than the RCA. They had that set until the late 70's when they replaced it with a new Quasar. By that time Motorola had quit making TVs and I believe Matshushita bought the Quasar from Motorola. It too was very reliable set lasting well into the mid 90's before it was replaced with a Sharp.
I wrote a letter to Motorola and they told me that they sold the TV business to Matsushita on May 28, 1974, and along with it the rights to the "Quasar" trademark.
My grandfolks had a 25" Motorola tube console with a metal cabinet. Color never seemed right on it . Green or purple flesh tones. We never had a color set till 1974.
Seems very weird watching a TV built in 1968 showing a commercial advertising movies on DVD and Blue ray.
Thanks for the memories! It was the first color TV our family purchased, in 1969. Only few families had color TVs, at the time.
Archaic cabinet design!
I saw one today July 14 2023 I posted a video of it on my TH-cam
Its model CU610 not CU210
I still love 50' 60's 70's 80's and 90's because their build to last rather than those cheap LCD televisions! Chinese junkpile!
If you're still on here, I would say the best 2 TVs I ever Had was The Family's 1957 Floor model Magnavox B&W Tube TV, that worked until 1975, it was really tough and heavy, and the other one was a 1993 Sony Trinitron, really strong and one time I moved and had to take it
Up the stairs in my new Apartment, Me and My Co Worker nearly got a Hernia carrying that Monstrosity. I had to get rid of that one in an unexpected transfer, so I don't know how long it lasted!
lol, its mad how americans say "Chassis" !!!
It looks nice and clean for its age. The foldover is likely caused by the damper tube, it's surprising the CRT isn't gassy and has good cathode emission in all three guns, likely it was replaced at some point..
Wow, another great looking classic TV! You do great restorations. (Please tell the kind of camera your using...it sure looks great.)
Great stuff Doug, looks new
That is a very nice set. Thanks for making the video. Lots of tubes inside.
Wow it looks brand new.
Doug Great Set... Like the way you can use TV's Tuner talking about DTA Converter the best Digital Stream 9950 I find pulls in all TV Channels like the way you get TV and your not even hooked up to an outdoor antenna... I tell Direct TV I have is terrible goes out a the time it's rains now I'm using DTV works better
Our first color tv was an RCA console back in 1968 or so. It was a real chore having to test 25-30 vacuum tubes every few months. What a relief when Dad upgraded to a newer model five years later with a tv that had solid state circuitry. All those tubes shown on this video were replaced with transistors on a base screwed onto the sidewall of the cabinet. No more extreme heat buildup inside the console. These old tv's weren't called curtain burners for nothing.
I had the 23'' looked just like it all tube no glare picture tube best set I ever owned but weigh a ton
Doug how is this possible only using a bow tie antenna? I have to use a big antenna on my roof to be able to get TV stations i did try rabbit eats one 2 Channels I get NBC ABC
This sure brings back memories for me. My grandfather was a Motorola and GE dealer and I used to go with him to make service calls. I remember those clips on the back cover because I used to help him take them off.
My parents had a '68 works in the drawer set in a huge Drexel cabinet. I bet that thing weighed 250lbs. Motorolas from the 60's were very good sets. GE's were too. Unfortunately, later Quasars dropped in quality about 72-73, and they really did when Matsushita took over.
Nice classic look, I like the glow of the tubs!
When did Motorola stop making TVs? Do you Know if they ever made VCRs?
I think it was sometime in the mid-1970's when Motorola sold its Quasar brand to Matsushita (Panasonic).
I never know that. I though Quasar was just a division of Matsushita. Thanks :)
They never made VCRs. Way back in 1980, I wrote them a letter asking about Quasar, and they told me that they sold the TV business to Matsushita on May 28, 1974. I did see a you tube posting where the man who narrates this video was showing a Motorola Quasar TV that was made in January 1975, as per the date stamped on the set.
You brought tears to my eyes. A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I actually had one of these. Nice to see one still plugging away!
Thank you for taking the time to show your 1968 Motorola Color Television! Fantastic that it still works. My parents always bought RCA or GE when I was growing up in the 1950's (yes, I really am that old). But I also remember Motorola. Beautiful cabinet, by the way!
I love these older TV's, very nice Deco styling!
Yep real nice TV, I have this tv in the 23in screen version and it still works great! My set has the Mediterranean cabinet.
It's nice seeing the glowing orange tubes brings back memories Doug what a fine set you have
That is an amazing set!!
Wow! That's a beaut! I didn't think any analog channels would still be up. I thought those freqs were reallocated. Great example! Puts me in mind to go back to hunting up a CTC10. Cheers!
Yup , I remember these being called "curtain burners" dunno if that's true
It's nice seeing the glowing orange tubes brings back memories Doug what a fine set you have
Nice set and a great picture! It looks like it was barely used for a 40+ year old set. And as you said, they really made interesting use of the space inside. Most of the tube sets I poked around in as a kid had the horizontal output and damper tubes right beside each other next to the HV cage. This is the first one I've seen with the damper tube within easy reach and the horizontal output tube so far inside, though they're both next to the HV cage.
How'd you get tv signal?