How would I connect digital technology to this old Zenith TV? - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Sidonshark · #1 07-09-2022, 05:29 PM

Grandma has an old Zenith model H1955W TV from the year 1989, and I would like to make use of it somehow. I want to try to connect a mobile (Apple) phone to it, and I've seen people connect phones to old TVs using HDMI to AV adapters. This TV doesn't have any AV ports, and I'm not experienced in vintage televisions whatsoever, so I don't really know how to work with this specific TV. I have attached an image of the different of ports this TV uses.

dishdude · #2 07-09-2022, 05:54 PM

This will accept an HDMI input and output to channel 3.

https://www.amazon.com/HDMI-Converte...s%2C148&sr=8-7

or this is you already have an AV to RF convertor around...they're everywhere. I'd probably go this route anyway and buy an RF convertor.

https://www.amazon.com/Converter-Ada...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

zeno · #3 07-09-2022, 06:32 PM

Dish dude has the answers.
The TV is a hotel or institutional model. Move that part on the cord to the
"F" screw. The FM will work better now. The "EXT" jack was probably
for a pillow speaker. The knock out "ready plug" was to add an antenna
switcher, TV stereo or a Zenith based CATV descrambler.
Anything you add will go through the screw in connector ( VHF, UHF, CATV )
I think you will find the date of MFG is more like 1980.

73 Zeno

LFOD !

Electronic M · #4 07-09-2022, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dishdude

This will accept an HDMI input and output to channel 3.

https://www.amazon.com/HDMI-Converte...s%2C148&sr=8-7

or this is you already have an AV to RF convertor around...they're everywhere. I'd probably go this route anyway and buy an RF convertor.

https://www.amazon.com/Converter-Ada...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Have you had good luck with the first one? I got one of those to try and the video output of it kept going dark every few seconds.

Sidonshark · #5 07-09-2022, 07:25 PM

Thanks.

For the AV to RF convertor, does the RF output plug anywhere into the TV? I understand now that HDMI -> AV -> RF, and I would probably choose the second option to buy an HDMI to AV and an AV to RF. I'm just a bit confused as to whether or not the RF output will require any antenna or plugging into the TV.

Electronic M · #6 07-09-2022, 08:31 PM

You plug the RF directly into the rear jack marked VHF, UHF, CATV.
You ever hook up a VCR or a 90s game console with only RF output (like a Sega Genesis) to a TV before?... It's the same concept. Heck you can use a VCR as a AV to RF modulator (just have to set the VCRs TV/VCR RF switch to VCR mode and tune or switch the VCR to it's AV input).

Most modulators do not transmit, and instead have to be connected to the TV by wire.

If you need to transmit (I do because wiring 100 TV in 3 rooms on 2 floors is impractical compared to antennas) and are okay spending a few times more than a wired modulator costs look for a Blonder Tongue AM60 or BAVMz (on this one make sure to find one that matches a blank channel in your area) family modulator.

dieseljeep · #7 07-09-2022, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electronic M

Have you had good luck with the first one? I got one of those to try and the video output of it kept going dark every few seconds.

I bought three from a E### site. Called a Mini HDMI2AV. It works rather well. They cost three for $11.00. HDMI in, RCA out. My Spectrum cable box furnishes the 5 volts DC needed for operation.
You need an external modulator for a set that doesn't have A-V jacks, or a VCR.

Electronic M · #8 07-09-2022, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseljeep

I bought three from a E### site. Called a Mini HDMI2AV. It works rather well. They cost three for $11.00. HDMI in, RCA out. My Spectrum cable box furnishes the 5 volts DC needed for operation.
You need an external modulator for a set that doesn't have A-V jacks, or a VCR.

The one I was talking about is HDMI to RF not AV.
I've had good luck with the HDMI to AV boxes, but not the HDMI to RF.