Help to Identify a TV (Philips 23TG107U) - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Mikey405 · 18th Nov 2019, 9:46 pm

Hi all.

I've been asked to identify (and possibly try and locate) a TV for a joint BBC / Kaleidoscope programme. The attached picture shows the beast but I have to say that I've never seen one of these sets before. The owner said it was a Philips, and I can quite believe it (the badge on the top left looks like one of those later large Philips badges and the optical sensor on the bottom is very Philips-esque). It looks like the controls are on the top of the set.

If anyone can identify it, do they also know of one which could be used? I'm guessing they could chroma-key (or whatever the modern version of this is called) a picture on to the screen so it may not need to work.

Many thanks all.

Kind regards.

From Mike.

FERNSEH · 18th Nov 2019, 11:12 pm

Hi Mike,
I reckon you're right, it is a Philips and because it has the 19" CRT it must be a 1961 or later model. That light sensor looks very Philips.
One of those futuristic looking creations from the early sixties. Remember the RGD "diadem" series of TVs?

DFWB.

ms660 · 18th Nov 2019, 11:16 pm

Can only find one pic in Google images (Pinterest) Not sure how accurate the description is but it says it's a Philips 23TG107U, if that's correct it was launched circa 1961 according to a trade show report in Wireless World:

https://americanradiohistory.com/hd2...ch=%2223-in%22

Lawrence.

Paul_RK · 19th Nov 2019, 12:00 am

I've one in captivity here, definitely 23": 23TG107U sounds right. The magazine shelf in the photo looks dark but is white on my set. A further photograph online shows the shelf as veneered and the cabinet as a fairly light walnut,

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/07/ed...057bf68ef3.jpg ,

whereas the cabinet of mine is very dark indeed, so presumably a choice of finishes was offered.

Paul

dave walsh · 19th Nov 2019, 12:28 am

The actual chap on Mike's screen looked familiar [despite the snowy conditions]. I though Mcdonald Hobley, a name I recall from my youth in terms of it's inverted nature. Then I thought perhaps I'm making it up but there he is on Wikki-an early BBC presenter!

Dave W

Mikey405 · 19th Nov 2019, 9:12 am

Thanks everyone for your help. All extremely helpful. That set of Paul's is a beauty.

Thanks again all.

Kind regards.

From Mike.

18th Nov 2019, 9:46 pm	#1
Mikey405 Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Solihull, West Midlands and Beaford, Devon Posts: 1,626	Help to Identify a TV (Philips 23TG107U) Hi all. I've been asked to identify (and possibly try and locate) a TV for a joint BBC / Kaleidoscope programme. The attached picture shows the beast but I have to say that I've never seen one of these sets before. The owner said it was a Philips, and I can quite believe it (the badge on the top left looks like one of those later large Philips badges and the optical sensor on the bottom is very Philips-esque). It looks like the controls are on the top of the set. If anyone can identify it, do they also know of one which could be used? I'm guessing they could chroma-key (or whatever the modern version of this is called) a picture on to the screen so it may not need to work. Many thanks all. Kind regards. From Mike. Attached Thumbnails __________________ G7TRF

18th Nov 2019, 11:12 pm	#2
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: Help to Identify a TV Hi Mike, I reckon you're right, it is a Philips and because it has the 19" CRT it must be a 1961 or later model. That light sensor looks very Philips. One of those futuristic looking creations from the early sixties. Remember the RGD "diadem" series of TVs? DFWB.

18th Nov 2019, 11:16 pm	#3
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Help to Identify a TV Can only find one pic in Google images (Pinterest) Not sure how accurate the description is but it says it's a Philips 23TG107U, if that's correct it was launched circa 1961 according to a trade show report in Wireless World: https://americanradiohistory.com/hd2...ch=%2223-in%22 Lawrence.

19th Nov 2019, 12:00 am	#4
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,255	Re: Help to Identify a TV I've one in captivity here, definitely 23": 23TG107U sounds right. The magazine shelf in the photo looks dark but is white on my set. A further photograph online shows the shelf as veneered and the cabinet as a fairly light walnut, https://i.pinimg.com/originals/07/ed...057bf68ef3.jpg , whereas the cabinet of mine is very dark indeed, so presumably a choice of finishes was offered. Paul Attached Thumbnails

19th Nov 2019, 12:28 am	#5
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Help to Identify a TV The actual chap on Mike's screen looked familiar [despite the snowy conditions]. I though Mcdonald Hobley, a name I recall from my youth in terms of it's inverted nature. Then I thought perhaps I'm making it up but there he is on Wikki-an early BBC presenter! Dave W

19th Nov 2019, 9:12 am	#6
Mikey405 Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Solihull, West Midlands and Beaford, Devon Posts: 1,626	Re: Help to Identify a TV Thanks everyone for your help. All extremely helpful. That set of Paul's is a beauty. Thanks again all. Kind regards. From Mike. __________________ G7TRF