Realistic PortaVision-100 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

BulgingCap · 11th Jan 2019, 2:35 pm

My inquisitive friend found a 'Realistic PortaVision-100' on the ground at the local dump. Having no idea what it was he passed it onto me as "it looks like one of those things that you like to meddle with".
It seems as if it was sold in Australia by Tandy (Radio Shack), and possibly in the late 1980s.
I recall the Rigonda portable TVs from many years before that, but this seems a very strange and old design. It is a most clumsy design to use and view so I can't imagine that many were sold or are still in existence.
I spent a lot of time working in Hong Kong in the 1980s but don't recall anything like this in the shops.
The CRT is a real oddity (to my untutored eyes) as the screen is slightly convex and turned more than 90 degrees from the neck. How an accurate convergence and scan can be achieved is a mystery to me.
I powered the unit and a raster appeared but it is reduced in height and width and a 'keystone' shape. The audio and the tuner appear to work.
I guess that it will return to the dump, but should really be in a museum as it is unmarked and has a case and strap.
BC

Lloyd 1985 · 11th Jan 2019, 2:46 pm

Looks similar to the Sony Watchman pocket tv’s that were around before LCD took over, probably turn out it is one that’s been rebranded! They are monochrome sets, so no convergence to worry about! The raster was never perfect on such sets. Don’t send it back to the dump! I’m sure someone will give it a home

Regards
Lloyd

Studio263 · 11th Jan 2019, 3:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BulgingCap

How an accurate convergence and scan can be achieved is a mystery to me.

No need for convergence, its a monochrome set.

Electricdreams · 11th Jan 2019, 5:14 pm

Can I buy it off you please?

Jac · 11th Jan 2019, 5:25 pm

I have one of those!

It looks quite a bit like a Sony FD-40.

Jac

BulgingCap · 12th Jan 2019, 9:07 am

I knew as soon as I posted that I meant 'focus' not convergence ! Also the screen is concave not convex. The keystone can be seen as the bright patch on the pic- it is not a reflection.

Mr Projectionist: Subject to my friend's approval you are welcome to it but I am in Western Australia. It weighs a tad over 1 kg, and is about 210 x 120 x 70. I may be back in Derbyshire during your summer.

I have just had a search armed with new knowledge from Jac, and it is indeed very similar to the Sony FD40. I found a diagram of the tube and realised that I am looking at the front of the phosphor so the beam is not magically bent around. The Sony is viewed with the screen at the top, probably laid on its back where the angle allows easy viewing, whereas the PortaVision has the image inverted (I assume) so that the screen is at the bottom and it can only realistically (!) be viewed with the unit stood on end. It has 'pips' on the bottom as feet and the antenna appears out of the top. Most odd.
I found several similar units of different brand and case style, including the 'Zenith' in the pic.
Regards, BC

11th Jan 2019, 2:35 pm	#1
BulgingCap Pentode Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: South Coast, Western Australia. Posts: 129	Realistic PortaVision-100 My inquisitive friend found a 'Realistic PortaVision-100' on the ground at the local dump. Having no idea what it was he passed it onto me as "it looks like one of those things that you like to meddle with". It seems as if it was sold in Australia by Tandy (Radio Shack), and possibly in the late 1980s. I recall the Rigonda portable TVs from many years before that, but this seems a very strange and old design. It is a most clumsy design to use and view so I can't imagine that many were sold or are still in existence. I spent a lot of time working in Hong Kong in the 1980s but don't recall anything like this in the shops. The CRT is a real oddity (to my untutored eyes) as the screen is slightly convex and turned more than 90 degrees from the neck. How an accurate convergence and scan can be achieved is a mystery to me. I powered the unit and a raster appeared but it is reduced in height and width and a 'keystone' shape. The audio and the tuner appear to work. I guess that it will return to the dump, but should really be in a museum as it is unmarked and has a case and strap. BC Attached Thumbnails

11th Jan 2019, 2:46 pm	#2
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,819	Re: Realistic PortaVision-100 Looks similar to the Sony Watchman pocket tv’s that were around before LCD took over, probably turn out it is one that’s been rebranded! They are monochrome sets, so no convergence to worry about! The raster was never perfect on such sets. Don’t send it back to the dump! I’m sure someone will give it a home Regards Lloyd

11th Jan 2019, 5:14 pm	#4
Electricdreams Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 478	Re: Realistic PortaVision-100 Can I buy it off you please? __________________ What have you bought now??

11th Jan 2019, 5:25 pm	#5
Jac Heptode Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands. Posts: 642	Re: Realistic PortaVision-100 I have one of those! It looks quite a bit like a Sony FD-40. Jac

12th Jan 2019, 9:07 am	#6
BulgingCap Pentode Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: South Coast, Western Australia. Posts: 129	Re: Realistic PortaVision-100 I knew as soon as I posted that I meant 'focus' not convergence ! Also the screen is concave not convex. The keystone can be seen as the bright patch on the pic- it is not a reflection. Mr Projectionist: Subject to my friend's approval you are welcome to it but I am in Western Australia. It weighs a tad over 1 kg, and is about 210 x 120 x 70. I may be back in Derbyshire during your summer. I have just had a search armed with new knowledge from Jac, and it is indeed very similar to the Sony FD40. I found a diagram of the tube and realised that I am looking at the front of the phosphor so the beam is not magically bent around. The Sony is viewed with the screen at the top, probably laid on its back where the angle allows easy viewing, whereas the PortaVision has the image inverted (I assume) so that the screen is at the bottom and it can only realistically (!) be viewed with the unit stood on end. It has 'pips' on the bottom as feet and the antenna appears out of the top. Most odd. I found several similar units of different brand and case style, including the 'Zenith' in the pic. Regards, BC Attached Thumbnails