Conrac CYA 17" Color Monitor

[J Ballard]

Hi all-

Wayne could be right about the scarcity of controlled phosphors, but I do recall seeing many jars of different phosphor types at the RCA Lancaster plant.

In any case, controlled phosphor tubes were expensive to produce-the rectangular tube used in the Conrac RHA/RHB was around a kilobuck in the late 70s, but the networks were willing to pay for consistentcy. We owe people such as Tony Lind of RCA, Charlie Rhodes of Tektronix, and those at Conrac thanksfor their tireless effort in improving color display uniformity. If I have forgotten some other names, my apologies.

Charlie for one tried to strike a compromise between EBU phosphors and SMPTE C in order to reduce costs, but no one would budge. In the 1990s, NHK proposed a phosphor set that found its way into Sony hi-end products, but the networks and post community here in the US balked. They,too, were trying to produce a single tube that would satisfy everyone.

Regarding sulfide tubes, I had one in an old RCA TM-21 and it had a very pleasing, saturated colorimetry, but lacked the luminance of the newer rare earth type. It was sent out for regunning, but what came back was a rare earth tube! That's before I knew about Hawkeye-live and learn.

Regards,

J Ballard