Back during my tech school days in the late seventies the daily watcher was my CTC-16E (which I still have plus I had started servicing sets during my high school years) and guys coming over to the apartment just couldn't believe the picture on it...but then again I always knew how to make it look good!
I know it's been mentioned on other threads about the "color test" of watching the Simpsons...but back in the day I always thought Warner Bros. did a really good job with their cartoons ala Bugs Bunny etc. Even back then it was cool to watch classics on my dated "classic" tv!
