1950 Zenith Porthole Television

This in my zenith porthole televison that I restored.
Checkout my 2021 update on this TV:
• 1950 Zenith Porthole T...

[@stanleycostello9610]

Even if it's turned off, I still am fascinated by the screen, the cabinet and the metal fittings. Splendid.

[@briandietrich6533]

i was 4yrs old in 1950 when we got this tv.. Before my brother and I would sit around the Radio recordplayer combo and listen to Green Hornet, Fiber McGee and Molly.. and Little Orpan Annie.. Every Saturday nite we were give the funnies from the Sunday paper and we would sit look at the paper and listen for several hrs..I was only allowed to watch a couple of hours of tv when I got home from school then had to go out and play.. At nite my parents chose the evening lineup Which was Uncle Miltie,Friday nite fights for my pop, After our winter vacation in Florida. We saw the first color RCA tv.. There was an ad that stated we could by a celephane cover which would turn our Zenith into color.. THe celephane was blue on the top,brown in the middle and green on the bottom.. Thanks for the memorie..

[@heavenplus1]

Thanks for sharing your memories. Very interested indeed!

[@liars6495]

the good old times

[@AYouTubeChannelwithNoName]

You’re that old and only found KZbin 7 years ago 😳😳

[@yeeepgamercz9355]

Are you still alive

[@antoniovillafranca9065]

Thanks a million for sharing those beautiful moments with us!

[@zzzut]

Can you imagine how exciting TV must have been for people in the late 40’s? I was born in 1954 and we always had a TV set so, my first TV-related event was the introduction of colour.

[@BOBByBISHIP]

To have that in your living room in 1950 1951 was probably the most amazing thing ever

[@explorer156]

Y seguramente costoso

[@tmofee]

Howdy doody time? Great Scott!

[@BOBByBISHIP]

It's funny how all these old TVs get only old TV shows

[@luisreyes1963]

There's something about a vintage TV set that makes one nostalgic. Especially when the shows on back then are FAR BETTER than the crap that's on today. 😅

[@DJ-il8iv]

A true relic from the past. Something haunting about the people in that program too. This port TV is a portal into history.

[@rafaelrodriguez1029]

I reckon very soon we are going back to those TV sets and the factories would begin to produce them the same way they are now producing vinyl records and cassette tapes. Millions of people are just crazy. I stay with CD, DVD, HD TV and all the new stuff.

[@inkey2]

I always loved those old porthole models although I never owned one. Can you just imagine how fun it was to have that NEW in 1950. There is a real appealing nostalgia about this type TV.

[@MarkWhich]

Circle Screen just look comfortable to watch

[@wellylhakim3619]

This is amazing , you keep this TV still working until now ❤❤❤

[@jroberts5942]

Now that was a TV

[@ecreamer81]

Howdy Doody Time? Great Scott!

[@Al3ixhoveutot]

Back to the future 3s TV of Mr Brown in 1955

[@ronkemperful]

Wonderful and meticulous restoration, saving a bit of 1950s American history. I grew up with a Magnavox 21 inch BW TV watching Captain Kangaroo, early space coverage, and the Kennedy funeral in 63. I had many memories in front of that set. Great video.

[@basspig]

Nice authentic programming for the demo!

[@samuelfellows6923]

I assume he has his own transmitter, and made it period appropriate - as most analog transmissions have been turned off, replaced with digital

[@basspig]

@@samuelfellows6923 No doubt! Otherwise he'd be receiving broadcasts bounced back from distant galaxies in outerspace that were broadcast 70 years ago! LOL

[@samuelfellows6923]

@@basspig - 🙃

[@DaveGringo]

Your so lucky it didn't have a bad flyback transformer too! I use to repair TV's back in the late 70's, was still seeing plenty of old tube sets then mostly from the 60's though... Nothing that old. But I did restore the first Zenith color TV, late 1950's I think it was built. With a semi round CRT, for a friend of mine back in the 80's who wanted it working....

[@RandyOnTheRadio]

Glad to see you got the set all fixed up. I was working on a string-series tube portable TV for a friend of mine. It was a 1958 RCA Victor set that was stored in the basement for years. Got it restored 80%, and then he lost interest in the project... so it does me good to see that you finished the set. Great picture & sound seemed clear. You do great work.

[@antoniovillafranca9065]

Thank you Sir for sharing this beautiful piece of American history with us. I feel thrilled when I see all these electronic beauties restored and to see how people watched TV in those days!

[@HD7100]

That's a great set. I have two Zenith porthole TVs waiting for me to restore. One is a table model and the other is a Giant Circle model known as the Black Magic set.

[@breakfastsurreal5650]

Did you wind up restoring them?

[@VickGos-yr2gi]

They could be worth something.

[@brettster3331]

What a lovely Zenith TV, and you did a great job in your restoration, thank you for posting this.

[@WPM_in_ATL]

In the 1970's Zenith had a feature called "Zoom", which overscanned the center of the picture. The porthole reminds me of that "Zoom" feature.

[@MrMenefrego1]

we had that TV when I was a kid back in the late '70's.

[@cwmoser]

Your Porthole TV looks fantastic. I saw some pictures of it before you redone the cabinet and what a transformation. Picture looks clear too. Nice job.

[@ddkoda7412]

Excellent restoration, especially for your first effort at restoring a television set. Thanks too for trying to keep the Zenith name alive, "The quality goes in before the name goes on."

[@radiotvphononut]

Nice looking TV and an excellent restoration job!

[@jonsymmonds1120]

Beautiful set and nice restoration!

[@larryware1]

Nice job on that porthole set. I have two of these and just posted a video this week of my combo unit (1951) with the television portion working. Nice video and explanation!

[@BFDT-4]

You have a remarkable treasure!

[@fwdstuck]

Hey guys!!!! Check the 2021 update on this Zenith!!!

[@crist67mustang]

*Thanks to you! A pleasure for me watching your RCA TV set rounded CRT. I noticed a little blueish the hue of phosfore.* Gracias a tí! Un placer para mí ver tu televisor RCA de pantalla redonda. Noté que la el fósforo de pantalla tiene un tono azulado.

[@eddiec4536]

Great job of restoration.

[@vincentvargas6224]

THAT IS SUCH A NEAT SET!

[@Rlotpir1972]

I think this is the same model that was featured in a Three Stooges short, "Don't Throw That Knife" (1951).

[@HadYourPhil]

Excellent job!

[@Hassan51a]

🥺💔1950👍🏻

[@jhflif]

you're awesome dude love your vids

[@atco21117]

I've never seen one of these. Really cool... great unit to show off the 50s! -- Atco

[@johnhartley4721]

Amazing!!! A man after my own heart!!!

[@_MaxHeadroom_]

Now circular screens are being used again for the first time since then in smartwatches

[@LarryKelly]

Nice job picture looks great.

[@rebelreese5363]

Very nice!

[@8632tony]

I have one very similar to that one. It has doors and a mahogany cabinet. Channel indicators are prisms that I think are glass. Beautiful cabinet except for one cigarette burn . I last turned it on around 1972 and it had a vertical roll problem. Speaker fabric looks brand new.

[@dshmechanic]

Wow..props to you. Excellent restoration for an experienced restorer...even better for someone doing their very 1st! I just picked one of these up. It is a tad different than yours, but basically the same. Model #H2438R, and mine uses the 24H20 and 24H21 chassis sets. This too will be my first restoration...I can only hope it will turn out as well as yours did! Any tips or suggestions are greatly welcomed. I have already been forwarned of the expansive high voltage area around the CRT, LOL.

[@radiorob7543]

Huge Zenith fan. Love the TV. Really. I have my radio collection on my channel.

[@wesleymcjunkin687]

When it's turned off the screen resembles an eye. Creepy. 3-11-2022

[@BETTERWORLDSGT]

It's an interesting screen, it does look just like a porthole on a Ship or something!

[@dneitzke]

Thankyou for your Vid. I just found the exact tv for peanuts. I do radios,but want to totally rebuild mine if the pic tube and flyback checks. seems un- touched all zenith tubes, the tuner is very solid and tight after giving it a bath,because that kinda tells me the usage, next is to check all tubes with my Sencore MU-150, just had totally rebuilt with Mil spec components, and it's nat's ass , hopefully the power supply is good, again thanks , your vid. gives me hope and yes ,Sooo cool of a set. be well.

[@georgemikael9043]

La première tv du monde!

[@JaredConnell]

cool video! you said you got it from Craig's list, how much did you get it for?

[@patricklynch4143]

Thanks for the video.! We have the same Television. It works great just needs work on the cherry cabinet. Any resources for replcement tubes etc . ? Nice job on restoration .!

[@thed.k.mministry1367]

Definitely looks like your peering though a window. Creeps me out a bit. But super cool

[@lutello3012]

Always wondered if they had a 4x3 option. i bet few people used it based on what I see alot with 4x3 vs 16x9.

[@bluel7162]

Amazing well dine. I Dont understand Tv signals cant be the same now?

[@efandmk3382]

Roundies were around (on color sets) until the mid 1960s. It was like having glaucoma, and it was really claustrophobic. I don't remember us ever having one, but friends and neighbors had them when I was little. Color sets were expensive, so it took awhile for these to become extinct. In the mid 70s when I was about 6, my piano teacher still had one. So did one set of my Grandparents. Of course they also still had a Zenith "cobramatic" radio/record player console. LOL.

[@PaperBoat.]

It's perfect for aliens...

[@marcse7en]

Strange comment! Why is it "perfect for aliens"?

[@stanvara9339]

🧸👍🤣🌺🚬🍭.

[@erin19030]

Thank you Gomer Pyle

[@fwdstuck]

Your Welcome Barney Fife

[@adamn1371]

I have one that will only light up and have horizontal lines can u tell me what to replace

[@sydneynipkow]

The Germans peoples tv using rectangular screen. The E1 Telefunken from 1939 using 441 lines resolution.

[@davidbrawn2828]

Probably a electronics expert who could redesign the audio circuit could get rid of the the bussing. I don't mean fix the old at all I mean totally redesign.

[@keeler1160]

Can you make this video again with a nicer camera and detailed review taking the camera and showing us the ports with focus and the back of the TV? This was awesome and awesome to actually see it work and play.

[@fwdstuck]

The porthole has been in storage for years. I need to drag it out and do another video on it. Hopefully it still works great.

[@MrMenefrego1]

@@fwdstuck Did you make it yet?

[@fwdstuck]

I've made a update video. Same title as this one but with "2021 update" added on.

[@MrMenefrego1]

@@fwdstuck Excellent! Thank you.

[@matthewlukasiewicz1578]

I have one of these model # G2441R, I need a high voltage transformer for it. Do you know where I might be able to pick one up? Thanks.

[@fwdstuck]

I have no idea. Just keep a eye out on ebay.

[@smug8567]

When ours don't work, Pa just spits in the back of it and whomps it.

[@pcno2832]

The round screen always reminded me of the scene from Wizard of Oz in which the Wicked Witch of the West watched Dorothy through her crystal ball and sent the flying monkeys after her. I'm not surprised that people were put off by the round screen, even though it was capable of displaying the same image one saw through a masked-off screen and gave users the option of getting more viewable area. They probably didn't want to have to choose and didn't want to be reminded of the fact that they were loosing some of the picture and/or some viewable area either way. And, of course, the "eye is round" hype was a bit lame. Still, these are among the most interesting sets ever made; the Rolling Stones even used one in one version of the official "She was hot." video.

[@dw9932]

Wait it’s playing old tv signals

[@Cat-fy5lw]

I'm amazed. This thing works very well. Can it run on a modern cable television system? It would be awesome to see modern show being played on this thing.

[@fwdstuck]

You can. I had it hooked up to a DVD player.

[@Cat-fy5lw]

Cool. I'd love to put one of these in my apartment and watch Ghost Adventures or the Dead Files on it. Or Tom and Jerry.

[@treestandsafety3996]

What a beut!

[@microwavedcaprisun6521]

How does it pick up a signal?

[@stanvara9339]

🤣👍🧸.

[@fwdstuck]

Thanks and Good Luck. Yea that metal cone CRT made my hair stand up when I had it on the bench running. Check out antique radios . com. They helped me alot on my restoration.

[@echodelta9]

I remember parting out one of those round metal CRT TV's around '68 and a friend and I took the tube to the neighborhood ballpark at night. I sat it on the pitchers mound and I pitched a rock at It from home base. TOOMPP! It stuck in the glass face, it didn't shatter and go everywhere. I wonder what they thought the next day when they wanted to play ball. Strike, you're out!

[@SkeletorTclaws]

Seems like a weird design choice when your customers niss out on 20% of the screen

[@AngelaHouston-to4hg]

3:29 I don’t know that show this is??!!

[@fwdstuck]

Howdy Doody

[@skipstalforce]

I thought he said portable

[@fwdstuck]

Definitely not portable!! Lol

[@edgarallanpoestheblackcat6613]

I was told you can't play these anymore

[@fwdstuck]

+Courtney Cook you can with a DVD player hook up or a digital box.

[@edgarallanpoestheblackcat6613]

fwdstuck cool, I've always wanted one of these

[@briandietrich6533]

I didnt think Howdy Doody was still being aired..

[@rebeccaguthier8848]

fwdstuck would love to see how that works? Maybe a new video?

[@WPM_in_ATL]

@@briandietrich6533 I'll bet he had it on DVD or VHS, probably the former. He was trying to be authentic. More fun to see it come on with a program that was on the air at the time than CNN.

[@fluffymacaw933]

Took so long to warm up

[@fwdstuck]

That's the way those old tvs worked

[@fluffymacaw933]

@@fwdstuck Is it the tubes inside?

[@fwdstuck]

@@fluffymacaw933 yes

[@BETTERWORLDSGT]

Turn on Ed Sullivan!!

[@stanvara9339]

🤣👍🌺🧸.

[@glennso47]

Turn on the Farm and Home Hour featuring Fred and Ernie and the Boys in the Band. 😁

[@erin19030]

Fake TV, how do you get color on a monochrome set

[@fwdstuck]

I don't talk about getting color on a monochrome set. What the hell are talking about?

[@mariquevandermerwe8516]

smoking weed and watch tv,,,,,,,,,

[@stanvara9339]

You also 🚬👍.