TV Control Functions (1975 Quasar)

[idiotbox]

Hello everyone. First post here. Disclaimer: I have very little experience with modern TV's, let alone vintage TV's.

I recently purchased a 1975 Quasar Solid State TV. The sales model number on the back reads XP3163MG. Does anyone know where to find a manual for this model?

Does anyone know what the 2 big knobs on the front do specifically? See:
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/ulUAAOSw7PxTzrqp/$_57.JPG

Thanks in advance.

[idiotbox]

What's the difference between the round circular antenna and the long pole antenna:
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/EcAAAOSwiuZTzrrQ/$_57.JPG?rt=nc

[Eric H]

The knobs are the tuners, the top is for VHF channels 2-13 (Very High Frequency) and the bottom is for UHF channels 14-83 (Ultra High Frequency).

The pole antenna is for the VHF stations and the loop is for the UHF.

All are obsolete now since the switch to HD Digital but the set will work with a VCR or DVD player.

[zeno]

Set is built by Panasonic. Very good sets, best B&W of the era IMHO.
To use a DVD on it you would need a modulator also so
find a working VCR.
Without anything you should get a bright snowy picture with
a hiss in the sound. If you do it probably works fine.
I can sell you a service manual but not an owners manual.
It only has schematics & technical info, not instructions.
PM me if interested.

73 Zeno

[idiotbox]

Is the UHF antenna supposed to lie down flat on the table like that or is there a way to connect it to the VHF antenna?

[dishdude]

See the black plastic at the bottom of the UHF loop? It snaps onto the VHF dipole antenna.

[idiotbox]

Ah darn, the plastic edge of the groove where it should clip onto the VHF antenna is broken on one side so it won't stay. Any ideas on how to attach the UHF antenna to the VHF antenna? (short of duct tape)

[idiotbox]

Weren't channel changers commonplace by 1975? Is there a way to control this TV remotely?

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by idiotbox

Weren't channel changers commonplace by 1975? Is there a way to control this TV remotely?

Small screen B/W sets were meant to be an extra set and were rather inexpensive. I don't remember any of them having remote control, at any price.
Even the color sets, of the day, having remote, were rare and expensive.

[idiotbox]

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

Small screen B/W sets were meant to be an extra set and were rather inexpensive. I don't remember any of them having remote control, at any price.
Even the color sets, of the day, having remote, were rare and expensive.

Hey dieseljeep, how much do you think this thing cost when it came out?

[zeno]

Originally Posted by idiotbox

Weren't channel changers commonplace by 1975? Is there a way to control this TV remotely?

Zenith was prob. the last one with a B&W remote, a 19".
In the early 70's a cheap 19"color Zenith went for $400. Same
set with remote over $500. So you add remote to a 12" B&W
and you are pushing $175 not far from a color TV the same size.
Remotes took off abt 1980 when they became much more
usable & cheaper to add. Eventually almost all sets had them
except very small sets. Add on remotes were avaliable but
some quite crude. You can use a VCR to change channels remotely
( most VCR's).

Your broken antenna is typical. A better one was the bow tie
antenna that also clipped on. Most didnt have a wire & screwed
right on the terminals. They were bad cause they broke out the
terminals from the back. We replaced every loop of that type
& used bow ties. Made a little more $$ & saved the customer
problems later. They also worked better.......

73 Zeno

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by idiotbox

Hey dieseljeep, how much do you think this thing cost when it came out?

They were something like $89.95, when new.
Panasonic used the Quasar line, as a slightly less expensive, product line. They were identical to the Panasonics, electronically but the cabinets were less flashy looking.

[Electronic M]

If you still have analog cable look for an early digital tuned cable box with remote they often have remote volume control and a switched power outlet...Nearly the ideal add on remote box.