japanese roundie

[Jeffhs]

Yes, Charlie, they sure do--and not only roundies. Every vintage color TV I've seen that draws 300 watts or more (including every old set I've owned over the years) has one of those thin-looking cords. Say what you will about the reliability of their TVs, but, IMHO, one of the best things Thomson (RCA) ever did with all of their sets was to put polarized AC cords on them, and with thick insulation along with conductors large enough to handle the current drawn from the line. However, it seems like overkill now (to me, anyhow) to put those thick cords on today's sets, as most modern TVs draw much less current than the old ones ever did. I had a Zenith 12-inch b&w solid-state portable, bought new in 1978, with a very thick and wired-in line cord (no interlock); my 1995 Zenith color set has such a cord as well, as does my living room set, an RCA (Thomson) 19" table model. The RCA draws 105 watts; the Zenith, 87 watts, and my small 12" Zenith (which I no longer have) drew well under 100 watts as well, but they all had/have thicker cords than the roundies and rectangular sets of 30+ years ago; the new ones are all hard-wired into the set as well. Even my bookshelf stereo system has a rather thick polarized AC line cord, despite the fact that it only draws 150 watts.

[Sandy G]

I wonder if either one of these magnificent lovelies are in working condition-the RCA studio monitor almost looks like it's mil-spec construction.-Sandy G.