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Question about "Instant On"
Hello everyone,
My question is simple, if I have a cable box with a switched AC outlet, can I just let the box switch the set fully on and off? Or would it be better to power the box on first, wait a moment, and turn the set on with it's power switch? Now the specifics... The set is my 1971 RCA CTC-44A Trans-Vista console plugged into a Comcast/Motorola cable box with the switched AC outlet in back. I have been switching on the cable box first and then flipping the power bar on the TV after several seconds. When I'm done watching, I flip the power bar on the TV off first and then the cable box. I didn't want to assume anything, since the set was designed to technically be "on" all the time.... Any thoughts or opinions are welcome and appreciated! |
#2
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Does the set have the original CRT? It's a great set, but well on in years. If the CRT is original, it was probably used in the instant-on mode for several years of its life. If so, I would leave the set powered on, all the time. Plug it in separately, instead of through the cable box. I've seen owners do that with Zeniths. It seemed to take forever for the CRT to warm up. |
#3
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The CRT is original, and it still has a nice bright picture. When I did allow the cable box to power it full on (the power bar on the TV was already flipped on), the picture comes up in about 7 seconds. I can see why advising someone on this can be tricky, as there are numerous factors to consider. I can't say for sure but from what I was told this set has fairly low hours, granted it was probably on the whole time slowly cooking the picture tube...
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Last edited by andy; 11-20-2021 at 03:54 PM. |
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Audiokarma |
#6
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You actually do NOT want the set to be in instant on mode continuously. This was a convenience feature which unfortunately shortens the tube life by running it continuously (though at reduced power). Instant-On was superseded by solid state chassis with quick-heating cathode CRTs, which could produce a picture in about 12 seconds (instead of, say, 50 seconds for an older all-tube set).
I don't think there is any detrimental effect from powering your set from the switched outlet, and it prevents the "slow cooking" from degrading the CRT over time. |
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So why no color? Have you investigated that? Mine has excellent color but sometimes it will go green for a second or two and then flash back to normal. It hasn't been enough of an issue for me to tinker with it (yet). |
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Audiokarma |
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you don't see a picture on the screen thus no electrons being produced by the crt |
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Personally IMHO instant on in an all tube set is a slow & painful death of the rest of the set. Just a very bad idea. It dont matter if the tubes lasted longer or shorter. On a solid state I dont care either way. CRT's on Zenith flats lasted forever & RCA's did too. Most others used GE, West., & Philco jugs didnt last but probably because of the tubes & not the instant on. 73 Zeno |
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True that the manufacture makes a big difference. Nevertheless, cathodes are always in the wear-out mode when on. Fewer hours on = more years of life.
Should note that in some cases, never turning on can have detrimental effects. The Saticon pickup tubes in our HD camera were supposed to be run for a few hours no less often than every six months, to counter the effects of residual gas in the tube. |
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Last edited by andy; 11-20-2021 at 03:49 PM. |
Audiokarma |
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