Preparing for the 50th anniversary of color - Videokarma.org TV - Video

***Kamakiri*** · #1 09-30-2003, 06:32 AM

You know, I was thinking yesterday about my pair o'CT100s and it occurred to me that I most likely now have enough between the two to get one working, with the exception of the picture tube

Now I know that Steve McVoy has been working on a rebuild of one of the tubes, but in all honesty realizing that rebuilds may be nothing more than a one-off, what are the chances that my set(s) might be made functional again? I remember a couple years back hearing a rumor that Disney owned a couple of these sets and wanted to get them functional, and was going to foot some large bill for research into getting the tubes redone.

My cabinet should be back from the restorer this coming month, but I would seriously doubt I'll have it in running shape for January 1.

Steve D. · #2 09-30-2003, 06:32 PM

I had my CT-100 restored last year. I certainly watched the parade on New Years Day, and short of watching in Hi-Def there's nothing like watching the Rose Parade on that power gulping mahogany monster. The reddest reds and all of the other brilliant colors gushed forth from that 12 1/2" "flat" screen. I have read some of the archival tv reviews from the first parade colorcast Jan. 1st 1954. Most are not kind. According to the critics, the close up shots were ok, but on that small screen in the wide shots the color seemed to run together. And they though the picture was not bright enough.

Jeez! How about the fact that it was actually live and in color on those super tuned up RCA Model 5 prototypes.

VinylHanger · #3 10-01-2003, 12:35 AM

Hee, Hee......I prepared for the anniversary by going out and buying a brand spankin' new 32 inch JVC............it was easier that way

Sandy G · #4 10-01-2003, 08:12 AM

Tim- Why not call or e-mail Disney & just ask them if you could get yr CRTs rebuilt w/theirs ? They might say No & Hell no, but they might just say Yes, & maybe feature yr set as well. You never know. At the very least they might tell you who's redoing their tubes, so you could get in contact w/them. I'd say its at least worth a shot.-Sandy G.

***Kamakiri*** · #5 10-01-2003, 09:44 AM

The only thing is, that I don't really know if Disney really does own any, or if it was a rumor......and I wouldn't even know where to begin to substantiate such a thing.

Steve D. · #6 10-01-2003, 10:33 AM

Tim,
I worked at Disney studios for many years. His network show was not telecast in color until the fall of 1961 When it moved from ABC to NBC. Long after the CT-100. That show "Disneyland" was sponsored by RCA Victor and helped to sell a lot of color tv's He was. I understand, a gadget freek, so perhaps he may have owned an early color set prior to 1961.

Sandy G · #7 10-01-2003, 12:15 PM

Yep. I remember those commercials- "Color TV !! RCA new color TV !!" & the cheesy animation that went w/'em. Seems like it was a roundie they were hawking. Everybody watched the "Wonderful World of Color". That show probably did sell an awful lot of TVs-it came on Sunday night after church. About every kid in America wanted-erm, HAD to see it, & would bug their parents til THEY got a color set, as well. Ain't marketing wunnerful ?!?- Sandy G.

veg-o-matic · #8 10-01-2003, 12:33 PM

Okay, everyone. Sing along with me:

"The world is a carousel of colorrrrrrrrr......."

Steve D. · #9 10-01-2003, 02:20 PM

Many years ago I purchased a VHS tape from Disney Home Video. #279V.(1981) It is that first color show aired in 1961. It's a two parter titled: "The Wonderful World of Disney," "An Adventure in Color." and "Donald in Mathmagic Land." It has Walt talking up color and includes Prof. Ludwig Von Drake lecturing about how great color tv is and how drab watching this show in B&W must be. A shameless (great) promotion for RCA color. I also, later found the original network opening for this episode which has the NBC Peacock followed by that great opening music and color sequence and the RCA Victor commercial for their various products including the new CTC-11 models. Good stuff. I'm not sure if the tape is still available. I would love to have it on DVD.

***Kamakiri*** · #10 10-01-2003, 03:27 PM

I remember seeing that show a few years ago! It was with that professor duck showing the different vibrant colors, and for you black and white people, gray, gray, gray, black, gray, white, black, white, gray....LOL!

Man do I wish I had a copy of that!

Sandy G · #11 10-02-2003, 07:46 AM

Gents- Was watching "Boomerang" last night-yeah, yeah, I know...no jokes !!-& it occured to me that a lot of the programs geared towards kiddies were in color-one kid on about every street would have a color set, all the rest would come watch it, & then pester their parents to get one, too. Who wants to see "Huckleberry Hound" in dull old gray when he's really supposed to be blue ? Wonder how big of a cut Disney & Hanna-Barbera got for makin' all those cartoons in color to spur on demand ?!? I smell a conspiracy bigger than Roswell or JFK...<grin> -Sandy G.

Steve D. · #12 10-02-2003, 11:32 AM

Sandy,

In Disney's case it was mutual. NBC/RCA lured Disney away fom ABC because Disney had a huge library of color cartoons features and shorts. And gave RCA/NBC a boost in color tv sales and high ratings. And Disney was able to promote his theme parks and new movie releases in color. as well as guaranteed sponsorship from RCA Victor. Both benefited greatly. Now Disney owns ABC and is back on that network still selling it's products through its weekly show 50 years later. ABC started colorcasting in the early 60's with the Jetsons and the Flintstones produced by Hanna-Barbera.

Sandy G · #13 10-03-2003, 09:37 AM

Guys- Actually, I'd say we were ALL winners- General Sarnoff got to sell a lot of color TVs, Walt got to hawk Disneyland, & the public got some relatively quality entertainment that instilled a love of "nature" for a lot of us. IIRC, a lot of the Disney stuff was nature oriented documentaries. And a few of us wide-eyed little boys developed a fascination for that magick box w/the funny lookin' screen that remains unsated to this day. Sure, the cynical b*st*rd in me says it was all a big conspiracy, but so what? At least Walt, the General, et al gave us quite a bit in return for our money- contrast to today when corporate big-shots seem to want to steal everything they "Ken Lay" their hands on. (Bad pun, I know) -Sandy G.

Kirk · #14 10-08-2003, 08:23 PM

I too am trying to get my Merill running for Jan 1....my CRT is NG but will have it running on my tele-matic test jig, o if I get lucky, I may find a 15G by then...

anyway...

It will happen!

Screen shots to follow....

A stupid question...do they still have the Rose Bowl parade on Jan 1?

Thanks,
Kirk

Steve D. · #15 10-08-2003, 08:39 PM

Hi Kirk,
You bet. The Tournament of Roses Parade is held every Jan. 1st. It is telecast on CBS and NBC. Also on some WB stations through KTLA here in Los Angeles. NBC first telecast it in color on Jan. 1st 1954. KTLA followed the next year (1955) in color. Last year KTLA telecast the parade in high def. An incredible picture.