Mid 1950s Australian TV receiver - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

ukcol · 5th Dec 2016, 7:11 pm

The picture below is a screen shot from today's "The Doctor Blake Mysteries" on BBC1.

A little research on radiomuseum.org suggests it is a Radiola 201-T from 1956.

It is interesting (and pleasing) to see that the producers have gone to the trouble of sourcing a working set from the right period and providing it with a suitable signal.

I assume, because of the close ties between the UK and Australia in the 1950s, that the set uses a version of the 405 system.

paulsherwin · 5th Dec 2016, 7:27 pm

No, Australia started with 625, as did other 50Hz countries without legacy standards postwar.

That screen looks a bit suspect to me. Mono CRTs tend to look very blue when filmed with digital cameras, and that one doesn't. It's possible to colour correct in post production, but the TV may have been fitted with a later solid state chassis and colour tube. This is standard practice for companies that do period prop hire.

ukcol · 5th Dec 2016, 7:37 pm

Thanks for the info re 625 Paul.

I am convinced it was a genuine set with a slightly soft mono tube. No doubt the program is on the BBC iPlayer for those who may wish to make their own judgement.

ukcol · 5th Dec 2016, 8:13 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukcol

No doubt the program is on the BBC iPlayer for those who may wish to make their own judgement.

Found it here, from 22:10 to 22:55.

Brigham · 6th Dec 2016, 10:04 am

That MUST be a version of my favourite PYE receiver. What do we know about it?

ukcol · 6th Dec 2016, 10:35 am

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/amalgam...ola_201_t.html

Nicklyons2 · 6th Dec 2016, 10:52 am

In 1956 it must have been one of the first sets available in Australia because that was the year TV started there (on System B). I'm fairly convinced, in fact I'd have 'half a crown' on it, that the picture is added in post production. Modern editing software can be shown a mask shape and it can follow that shape even when the image is zooming and panning. Adding in 'post' also helps in that the location lighting can be the optimum for the scene rather than to optimise a crt's visibility and further, to prevent the curvature of the crt from showing all the location lighting in reflection.

ukcol · 6th Dec 2016, 12:07 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicklyons2

I'm fairly convinced, in fact I'd have 'half a crown' on it, that the picture is added in post production.

Well it had me fooled.

paulsherwin · 6th Dec 2016, 12:19 pm

It can be very convincing if done well.

ENGLISH VICTOR · 7th Dec 2016, 12:42 pm

The AWA Radiola looks original to me. The CRT used in those sets had quite a warm colour temperature and photographs just like the one shown unlike most European and British tubes that look decidedly blue. The Australian tubes for that set used an RCA phosphor, some tubes were actually made in the U.S. but most later tubes were made in Sydney but all used the same colour rendering phosphor. The set itself was an Australian copy of an RCA chassis with a few minor changes to suit the 625 line system and the 50Hz 240V mains. A very reliable set. For my part I prefer the blue looking tubes.
Victor.

5th Dec 2016, 7:11 pm	#1
ukcol Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 3,944	Mid 1950s Australian TV receiver The picture below is a screen shot from today's "The Doctor Blake Mysteries" on BBC1. A little research on radiomuseum.org suggests it is a Radiola 201-T from 1956. It is interesting (and pleasing) to see that the producers have gone to the trouble of sourcing a working set from the right period and providing it with a suitable signal. I assume, because of the close ties between the UK and Australia in the 1950s, that the set uses a version of the 405 system. Attached Thumbnails

5th Dec 2016, 7:27 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,944	Re: Mid 1950s Australian TV receiver No, Australia started with 625, as did other 50Hz countries without legacy standards postwar. That screen looks a bit suspect to me. Mono CRTs tend to look very blue when filmed with digital cameras, and that one doesn't. It's possible to colour correct in post production, but the TV may have been fitted with a later solid state chassis and colour tube. This is standard practice for companies that do period prop hire.

5th Dec 2016, 7:37 pm	#3
ukcol Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 3,944	Re: Mid 1950s Australian TV receiver Thanks for the info re 625 Paul. I am convinced it was a genuine set with a slightly soft mono tube. No doubt the program is on the BBC iPlayer for those who may wish to make their own judgement.

6th Dec 2016, 10:04 am	#5
Brigham Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Co. Durham, UK. Posts: 1,117	Re: Mid 1950s Australian TV receiver That MUST be a version of my favourite PYE receiver. What do we know about it?

6th Dec 2016, 10:35 am	#6
ukcol Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 3,944	Re: Mid 1950s Australian TV receiver http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/amalgam...ola_201_t.html

6th Dec 2016, 10:52 am	#7
Nicklyons2 Octode Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,517	Re: Mid 1950s Australian TV receiver In 1956 it must have been one of the first sets available in Australia because that was the year TV started there (on System B). I'm fairly convinced, in fact I'd have 'half a crown' on it, that the picture is added in post production. Modern editing software can be shown a mask shape and it can follow that shape even when the image is zooming and panning. Adding in 'post' also helps in that the location lighting can be the optimum for the scene rather than to optimise a crt's visibility and further, to prevent the curvature of the crt from showing all the location lighting in reflection.

6th Dec 2016, 12:19 pm	#9
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,944	Re: Mid 1950s Australian TV receiver It can be very convincing if done well.

7th Dec 2016, 12:42 pm	#10
ENGLISH VICTOR Hexode Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 356	Re: Mid 1950s Australian TV receiver The AWA Radiola looks original to me. The CRT used in those sets had quite a warm colour temperature and photographs just like the one shown unlike most European and British tubes that look decidedly blue. The Australian tubes for that set used an RCA phosphor, some tubes were actually made in the U.S. but most later tubes were made in Sydney but all used the same colour rendering phosphor. The set itself was an Australian copy of an RCA chassis with a few minor changes to suit the 625 line system and the 50Hz 240V mains. A very reliable set. For my part I prefer the blue looking tubes. Victor.