Tube TVs that you had to wait while it warmed up? Having to adjust the rabbit ears? Or that homemade aluminium foil antenna? How about adjusting the vertical hold so the picture wouldn't roll? Tune in next week when I talk about the dinosaurs! Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: Devlyn on February 11, 2012, 11:02:48 AM
Tube TVs that you had to wait while it warmed up? Having to adjust the rabbit ears? Or that homemade aluminium foil antenna? How about adjusting the vertical hold so the picture wouldn't roll? Tune in next week when I talk about the dinosaurs! Hugs, Devlyn

The first TV's had seven inch screens and one or maybe two channels that usually showed test pattern. I remember watching, "Cecil, Fran and Ollie," "Howdy Doody," and 'Buck Rodgers. I think a lot of ideas started from that series which was the germ that eventually brought about our space program. I know this dates me big time! 

Oh, I loved the test pattern! Remember the pair of pliers that sat on top of the TV because the plastic knob broke? Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: Devlyn on February 11, 2012, 01:34:18 PM
Oh, I loved the test pattern! Remember the pair of pliers that sat on top of the TV because the plastic knob broke? Hugs, Devlyn

You mean the small pair of vise grips attached to the knob stem?

3 channells,black and white,adjust the horizontal and maybe give it a hit to straighten the picture.oh yea.

Now I am right at the end of the era of tin foil antenna and vice grip channel changers but I do remember it. I remember my dad putting an antenna on the roof then buying a new one and putting it in the attic, if I recall correctly both ways sucked and I still went to the neighbors to watch cable. We even had a T.V. repair man at the shopping center and as kids we would dig through his trash and pick out the tubes that weren't broke and break them in the parking lot. We had absolutely no concept of glass in the parking lot.

We never had the foil antenna, but I do remember having to wait for the screen to warm up and the vertical hold thing.

I also remember a TV repair man telling me (I was probably 6 or 7) that I should stand back while he was working because the tubes sometimes bite.

 I still have the first colour TV that my wife bought 33-35 years? ago. It has rabbit ears, has travelled around Australia in a caravan, and still works, not well, but it works. I also remember my M&D  getting there first TV (not including me ) and my sister and I sitting and watching the test pattern all day. I have to admit that the test pattern is no more boring than a lot of the programs on now

Cindy

Quote from: Cindy James on February 27, 2012, 01:47:14 AM
I have to admit that the test pattern is no more boring than a lot of the programs on now

Cindy

Truly a legitimate lament and I heartily agree! There is a total lack of imagination and originality in the script writers corps these days, and most of what is on TV is morbidly insipid and intellectually insulting!

Do you remember VCR's?

I still have one, but it's not Beta.

Quote from: Gretchen on February 27, 2012, 09:17:00 AM
I still have one, but it's not Beta.

Seconded.