Panasonic TC-L1E "Minivision" - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

villelaustela · 26th Nov 2015, 7:26 pm

Hi all.

I aquired a small Panasonic "Minivision" portable LCD TV (from around 1988, see here for almost identical -D model). It' pretty scratched but I got it for a 5 EUR (and it looked kinda cute) so I grabbed it.

It seems to be working, I get a white screen with a green/red line (UHF/VHF) scanning across the screen. Markings on the front panel buttons have faded, the top two are scan left/right, next to are vol up/down, I don't know about the last one (doesn't seem to do anything either).

Having no analog transmissions in here, I can't really test it. I didn't get any cables with it. The aerial input seems to be just a mono 3,5" socket. There is also an Audio/Video input, looks like it's 2,5" connector. Any idea of it's pinout? Would be pretty cool to put some video in and see how good the picture actually is

peter_scott · 26th Nov 2015, 7:41 pm

The video is likely to be the first ring up from the tip but signal levels are such that you are unlikely to cause damage if wrongly connected.

http://www.raspberrypi-spy.co.uk/201...diovideo-jack/

If you have an old video recorder you could send it RF.

Peter

julie_m · 27th Nov 2015, 5:51 am

The audio/video input probably will be mono audio only, so will need only a standard stereo plug. If you get the video and audio signals the wrong way around, video will just sound like bad static and power hum, and you are unlikely to do any lasting damage.

2.5 mm. stereo plugs do exist. They were used for connecting headsets to some mobile phones.

villelaustela · 9th Dec 2015, 6:49 pm

Thanks.

I finally got myself a 2,5mm connector for testing. For future reference: it uses a stereo 2,5mm plug, where the first ring from the tip is audio. Second ring is video. And yes, I know I used wrong colour connector for video on my quick-hack adapter, as I didn't have yellow ones

For the age and size I think it actually gives pretty good picture, eventhough the viewing angles are pretty bad and the color and brightness adjustments (which are the only adjustments for picture) are fiddly.

This unit was originally owned by the Finnish broadcasting company (YLE), I got this for 5 EUR from their sale. Must have been expensive when new. I think something as small as this could have been really useful for testing purposes.

Very hard to get photos, but here are some attempts.

Lloyd 1985 · 9th Dec 2015, 10:46 pm

Certainly looks a better picture than any of Casio's efforts!

Regards,
Lloyd

julie_m · 10th Dec 2015, 1:55 am

That looks superb, and definitely worth a

I bet the colours distort really badly if you aren't looking at it absolutely square-on, though ..... that was always a bugbear with early-generation colour LCDs. Modern ones have much wider viewing angles.

And you're right, it would have been a useful diagnostic tool for a broadcaster -- there is nothing quite as good for checking TV reception quickly and clearly as an actual TV receiver! You could literally just walk or drive around looking for problem areas. Definitely useful somewhere like Finland!

26th Nov 2015, 7:26 pm	#1
villelaustela Pentode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Helsinki - Finland Posts: 144	Panasonic TC-L1E "Minivision" Hi all. I aquired a small Panasonic "Minivision" portable LCD TV (from around 1988, see here for almost identical -D model). It' pretty scratched but I got it for a 5 EUR (and it looked kinda cute) so I grabbed it. It seems to be working, I get a white screen with a green/red line (UHF/VHF) scanning across the screen. Markings on the front panel buttons have faded, the top two are scan left/right, next to are vol up/down, I don't know about the last one (doesn't seem to do anything either). Having no analog transmissions in here, I can't really test it. I didn't get any cables with it. The aerial input seems to be just a mono 3,5" socket. There is also an Audio/Video input, looks like it's 2,5" connector. Any idea of it's pinout? Would be pretty cool to put some video in and see how good the picture actually is Attached Thumbnails

26th Nov 2015, 7:41 pm	#2
peter_scott Dekatron Join Date: May 2003 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 3,274	Re: Panasonic TC-L1E "Minivision" The video is likely to be the first ring up from the tip but signal levels are such that you are unlikely to cause damage if wrongly connected. http://www.raspberrypi-spy.co.uk/201...diovideo-jack/ If you have an old video recorder you could send it RF. Peter __________________ http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk https://www.youtube.com/c/PeterScott/videos

27th Nov 2015, 5:51 am	#3
julie_m Dekatron Join Date: May 2008 Location: Derby, UK. Posts: 7,735	Re: Panasonic TC-L1E "Minivision" The audio/video input probably will be mono audio only, so will need only a standard stereo plug. If you get the video and audio signals the wrong way around, video will just sound like bad static and power hum, and you are unlikely to do any lasting damage. 2.5 mm. stereo plugs do exist. They were used for connecting headsets to some mobile phones. __________________ If I have seen further than others, it is because I was standing on a pile of failed experiments.

9th Dec 2015, 6:49 pm	#4
villelaustela Pentode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Helsinki - Finland Posts: 144	Re: Panasonic TC-L1E "Minivision" Thanks. I finally got myself a 2,5mm connector for testing. For future reference: it uses a stereo 2,5mm plug, where the first ring from the tip is audio. Second ring is video. And yes, I know I used wrong colour connector for video on my quick-hack adapter, as I didn't have yellow ones For the age and size I think it actually gives pretty good picture, eventhough the viewing angles are pretty bad and the color and brightness adjustments (which are the only adjustments for picture) are fiddly. This unit was originally owned by the Finnish broadcasting company (YLE), I got this for 5 EUR from their sale. Must have been expensive when new. I think something as small as this could have been really useful for testing purposes. Very hard to get photos, but here are some attempts. Attached Thumbnails

9th Dec 2015, 10:46 pm	#5
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,818	Re: Panasonic TC-L1E "Minivision" Certainly looks a better picture than any of Casio's efforts! Regards, Lloyd

10th Dec 2015, 1:55 am	#6
julie_m Dekatron Join Date: May 2008 Location: Derby, UK. Posts: 7,735	Re: Panasonic TC-L1E "Minivision" That looks superb, and definitely worth a I bet the colours distort really badly if you aren't looking at it absolutely square-on, though ..... that was always a bugbear with early-generation colour LCDs. Modern ones have much wider viewing angles. And you're right, it would have been a useful diagnostic tool for a broadcaster -- there is nothing quite as good for checking TV reception quickly and clearly as an actual TV receiver! You could literally just walk or drive around looking for problem areas. Definitely useful somewhere like Finland! __________________ If I have seen further than others, it is because I was standing on a pile of failed experiments.