405 Line TV - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Variometer · 21st Jun 2008, 7:49 pm

years ago, I found the old valve 405 line TV a refereshing challenge & change from radio. From time to time, I see them on car boot sales, but never bother buying them, asking myself "what is the point" when there are no transmissions - or are there? I have not looked through all the posts here, but do actually wonder if there is some "secret" method of using them again?
Bob

thermionic · 21st Jun 2008, 8:00 pm

http://converter.home.comcast.net/

Hi Variometer, have a look at this link.

A first class piece of kit.

Cheers. SimonT.

evingar · 21st Jun 2008, 9:18 pm

The Aurora really is a first rate bit of kit - and amazing value for money. Unlike earlier Standards Converters or other "solutions", it is small enough not to be a "big deal" in its own right.

I have replaced my previous arrangement (a Pineapple standards converter in an 18" rack and a Modulator in another box) with a set top box "modified" by the addition of an Aurora inside.

Effectively, the set top box gives out band one 405 video, and of course you have a remote controlled 405 Line TV

paulsherwin · 21st Jun 2008, 9:48 pm

I think the availability of cheap standards converters, particularly the Aurora, is the main reason that 405 line TVs have become more collectible recently. Very run of the mill 1950s tellies are fetching good prices now if in good cosmetic condition.

Take care if you have no experience with old tellies though - there are many dangers for the unwary.

Paul

Steve_P · 21st Jun 2008, 10:34 pm

Start here:

www.oldtellys.co.uk

Cheers,

Steve P.

Variometer · 22nd Jun 2008, 11:07 am

Thanks for the info - I just wondered, but that explains it all. I don't think I will go back to 405 line TV though, too big.
Bob

Dave Moll · 22nd Jun 2008, 8:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Variometer

405 line TV ... too big.

Not necessarily. There are small 405-line sets as well.

Darren-UK · 23rd Jun 2008, 10:42 am

Following on from the previous post pointing out the existence of smaller 405 line sets, there is the Perdio Portorama as discussed in this thread for example.

These, and others, don't exactly turn up at every boot sale but then again they're not especially rare - so you may care to look out for something like this.

Variometer · 23rd Jun 2008, 12:08 pm

I have seen small TVs like this, but they usually turn out to be transistor types. As valve radios & valves are still quite common, I will stick to them. I was just interested to know how one watched a 405 line TV these days, but certainly wouldn't want to get a converter.
But thanks for info anyway.
Bob

Station X · 23rd Jun 2008, 12:12 pm

From what I've seen of your construction skills Bob you'd have no problem building a 405 line TV from scratch.

BGmidsUK · 23rd Jun 2008, 11:23 pm

Not getting a converter is missing out .. believe me ..

I'm currently watching a film on a 405 set

BG

chipp1968 · 23rd Jun 2008, 11:27 pm

Yes I use two sets one 40s and one 1950 ,at least 3+ times a week.. great pictures and fun to use . Though they are 9inch sets . I am looking forward to getting back one of my larger screen sets back to play with

21st Jun 2008, 7:49 pm	#1
Variometer Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 428	405 Line TV years ago, I found the old valve 405 line TV a refereshing challenge & change from radio. From time to time, I see them on car boot sales, but never bother buying them, asking myself "what is the point" when there are no transmissions - or are there? I have not looked through all the posts here, but do actually wonder if there is some "secret" method of using them again? Bob

21st Jun 2008, 8:00 pm	#2
thermionic Heptode Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 989	Re: 405 Line TV http://converter.home.comcast.net/ Hi Variometer, have a look at this link. A first class piece of kit. Cheers. SimonT. __________________ The honesty of imperfection..........

21st Jun 2008, 9:18 pm	#3
evingar Octode Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Newbury, Berkshire, UK. Posts: 1,770	Re: 405 Line TV The Aurora really is a first rate bit of kit - and amazing value for money. Unlike earlier Standards Converters or other "solutions", it is small enough not to be a "big deal" in its own right. I have replaced my previous arrangement (a Pineapple standards converter in an 18" rack and a Modulator in another box) with a set top box "modified" by the addition of an Aurora inside. Effectively, the set top box gives out band one 405 video, and of course you have a remote controlled 405 Line TV __________________ Chris

21st Jun 2008, 9:48 pm	#4
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,943	Re: 405 Line TV I think the availability of cheap standards converters, particularly the Aurora, is the main reason that 405 line TVs have become more collectible recently. Very run of the mill 1950s tellies are fetching good prices now if in good cosmetic condition. Take care if you have no experience with old tellies though - there are many dangers for the unwary. Paul

21st Jun 2008, 10:34 pm	#5
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: 405 Line TV Start here: www.oldtellys.co.uk Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

22nd Jun 2008, 11:07 am	#6
Variometer Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 428	Re: 405 Line TV Thanks for the info - I just wondered, but that explains it all. I don't think I will go back to 405 line TV though, too big. Bob

23rd Jun 2008, 10:42 am	#8
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: 405 Line TV Following on from the previous post pointing out the existence of smaller 405 line sets, there is the Perdio Portorama as discussed in this thread for example. These, and others, don't exactly turn up at every boot sale but then again they're not especially rare - so you may care to look out for something like this.

23rd Jun 2008, 12:08 pm	#9
Variometer Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 428	Re: 405 Line TV I have seen small TVs like this, but they usually turn out to be transistor types. As valve radios & valves are still quite common, I will stick to them. I was just interested to know how one watched a 405 line TV these days, but certainly wouldn't want to get a converter. But thanks for info anyway. Bob

23rd Jun 2008, 12:12 pm	#10
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: 405 Line TV From what I've seen of your construction skills Bob you'd have no problem building a 405 line TV from scratch. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

23rd Jun 2008, 11:23 pm	#11
BGmidsUK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Leicester, UK. Posts: 809	Re: 405 Line TV Not getting a converter is missing out .. believe me .. I'm currently watching a film on a 405 set BG

23rd Jun 2008, 11:27 pm	#12
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: 405 Line TV Yes I use two sets one 40s and one 1950 ,at least 3+ times a week.. great pictures and fun to use . Though they are 9inch sets . I am looking forward to getting back one of my larger screen sets back to play with