CED VideoDisc and Player Discussion

kitchensynch · Joined: 24 Feb 2013 Posts: 1087

In case you wondered, it's an early prototype RCA TRK-series electronic television from the late '30s. I think it's perhaps 12 or 13 inches diagonal, I just don't recall the model or if it actually had an audio strip.

If you are interested in finding out more about why they invented a CED player in the first place then the Early Television Foundation site would be a great place to start...

http://www.earlytelevision.org/

The actual bricks-and mortar museum is located in Hilliard, Ohio...it's like TV Mecca and please! Don't park a rare Corvette near it??? Rolling Eyes

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A New Vista of RCA Victor COLOR!

jeff7624 · Joined: 23 Feb 2014 Posts: 38 Location: United States

Thats way too interesting! I live on the Ohio State University Campus so Hilliard is less than a 20 min drive. Guess I know where I am going this weekend! Thanks for the tip

kitchensynch · Joined: 24 Feb 2013 Posts: 1087

It would be a miracle if I actually made it to Minnesota this summer to see my brother's oldest daughter's wedding, stuck here in eastern Oregon.

Early television technology fascinates me...antique radios are awesome but the picture tube/scanning wheel is a mile above that speaker in magicland!
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A New Vista of RCA Victor COLOR!

CEDvince · Joined: 23 Jun 2013 Posts: 74

I was just in that area! I have family there so I visit frequently. Definitely going to have to stop by.
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2 - RCA SFT-100
Zenith VP-2000
Realistic CED-1
2 - RCA SGT-200
2-RCA SJT-400

ketonic_dude · Joined: 20 Jul 2012 Posts: 547 Location: Mankato, MN

Wow, that is amazing. I've often wondered if there was this exact thing. Thanks for sharing. I couldn't find any of the CED related stuff you mentioned on the site, what section is it under?

I have the RCA Video Monitor from 1983 that goes with my RCA SJT400 CED Player and RCA VJP900 VCR. I'm not sure if they called it the Colortrack 2000 at that point but that's basically what it is. If you've seen the cover of the 1984 RCA Video Systems CED that is the exact setup I have, I've even got the Video Camera too.

http://cedmagic.com/v-title-database/rebe/rca-1984-video-1.html

I'm glad I found you so now I know where to bring my TV if it ever breaks. Plus if I bring it in person I can check out all the cool older TV's.

Also, I'm from MN as well. Where is your family from in MN. I'm down in Mankato.

kitchensynch · Joined: 24 Feb 2013 Posts: 1087

No, I only said that without these sets there wouldn't BE a CED format! Smile

When every set, radio or television, had to be a work of art because they had a special place in the home...those are the days and sets to treasure, the early glory of the Broadcasting Age.
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A New Vista of RCA Victor COLOR!

ketonic_dude · Joined: 20 Jul 2012 Posts: 547 Location: Mankato, MN

Well said. I really hate living in a disposable world. Everything is made so cheap and crappy that's is easier and cheaper to throw it away and buy a new one than get the old one fixed. Whenever possible I try to spend a little more on something I know is going to last. Probably one of the reasons I love CED so much. Most of the players I get just need a new belt and they are good to go. The discs, when properly stored and cared for look as good today as they did when they were sold over 30 years ago. Can't say that about a lot of things these days.

Coffindan · Joined: 24 Feb 2014 Posts: 18

I bought a Westinghouse 48" LCD flatscreen tv about 3 years ago. I had it for a year and a half when the power supply died. To fix it cost more than half what I paid for it. I went and replaced it with an RCA 48" LED and hopefully this will last much longer!

I remember growing up a tv would last forever it seemed. If there was a problem you took it to the repair shop or fixed it yourself. Now you just chuck it out the door which is sad. Nothing it made to last anymore.

kitchensynch · Joined: 24 Feb 2013 Posts: 1087

As I've likely said a few times, I have a 30+ year old 17" Trinitron and even a 1963 RCA Victor 19" BW that still work.
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A New Vista of RCA Victor COLOR!

kitchensynch · Joined: 24 Feb 2013 Posts: 1087

General Sarnoff and Vladimir Zworykin discuss the early days of television, circa 1956: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhqtByYjmPY

Also note that this is a fine example of good old fashioned company propaganda Smile

so please don't fret that Philo Farnsworth doesn't figure into it.

Nobody other than NBC stations probably ever showed this and it uses the RCA film on sound recording process (also known as Photophone) and shows film footage of the 1954 NBC broadcast of the Tournament of Roses Parade (first west to east network NTSC color program broadcast January 1, 1954 on over 20 stations) and the '55 World Series (first color Series), among other firsts.
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A New Vista of RCA Victor COLOR!

kitchensynch · Joined: 24 Feb 2013 Posts: 1087

Here are the parts of the 60th anniversary documentary for WGAL-TV (4 then channel eight) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in full playlist form from You Tube...see a bit of history from the 37th commercial station to air in the entire US in 1949!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0Pvy6YVjDw&list=PL0ACDF94C06F10A9C

PS The playlist poster picked a lot of other nice documentaries about TV for their list too. Oh, and Popeye's first cartoon Wink

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A New Vista of RCA Victor COLOR!

kitchensynch · Joined: 24 Feb 2013 Posts: 1087

My latest avatar is the RCA from Winds Of Change by Jefferson Starship but at 80x80 pixels it doesn't come out so well.

If you'd rather see it at the beginning of the official VEVO video on You Tube go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7dJ3a-U6WQ

This is my favorite period of JS, when Mickey and Grace were together on record and you will notice Paul Kantner on a Keytar!

Also probably the wealthiest Carvin ever got, judging from the stacks at the rear Razz