A Very Special Episode: 1981 RCA XL-100 19" Color TV & 1988 Sears VHS VCR

Рет қаралды 7,538

Күн бұрын

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This is a very special episode because of the history of the VCR and TV in this video. While the TV is not the original, it is the same exact model. But the VCR, on the other hand, is the same exact unit.
I know the complete history of the VCR, form the unboxing in 1988, up until I obtained it in 2008, and now this video on it in 2024.
Will this VCR make it into the 2070s? 2080s? And will we still be able to demonstrate it 50 years from now? Only time will tell..... But if I am still alive by then, I will make it happen.
RCA XL-100 19" Color TV Model FFR440 - Manufactured March 1981
Sears (GoldStar) VHS VCR Model 580.53297750 - Manufactured March 1988
Exactly 7 years apart!

Пікірлер: 40

@vwestlife 5 ай бұрын

My parents had a 1987 Goldstar VCR, and it had a very similar looking VFD, except it was a cheaper model with varactor tuning and no on-screen menu.

@techyboy227 5 ай бұрын

Hello Spats Bear. Name's Chris. From Los Angeles here. Just wanted to take a moment to say thanks for sharing and taking the time to produce this video. I'm very much in tune with all things tech related, including retro tech, and learning the history of what technology was like back in the day. I've been watching your other videos and have to say I really enjoy your content. Keep up the good work man, and if an opportunity presents itself for us to connect and converse in the future, I'd be open for that. Stay safe and healthy out there. Piece.

@WalterKnox 5 ай бұрын

"blew the tube" That one always gets me. I have had arguments with several people who for some reason think older TVs just "blow out the tube" like they are a light bulb. Despite them knowing that I know how to fix these things, they still can't get it out of their head for some reason. Any issue with an older TV, the picture tube went out.

@3dsmaxrocks699 5 ай бұрын

I miss the Sears electronics section. Especially around xmas time.

@mjg263 5 ай бұрын

That model designation breakdown makes sense. In 1975 we bought a brand new 19” RCA XL Color (but not 100) set and it was a hybrid model with about 4 or 5 tubes along with the transistors and probably a chip or two. It was our first color set, up until then the only 2 sets we had were 19” Motorola b&w portables, one from 1961 that didn’t have UHF and the “new” one from 1971 that had the UHF tuner. It was weird watching all the shows from the 60’s that I grew up with in color, I was so used to b&w that it was kind of distracting at first.

@BobbyS1981 5 ай бұрын

Just started watching and I’m only a couple minutes in and you had my earliest TV memories playing back in my mind. I was born in January of ‘81 and all of those cartoons were ones i watched as well, especially Transformers. What’s awesome is I’ve been able to relive that time with my boys, especially my teenager, who love Transformers old and new. Now to continue watching.

@jamied2108 5 ай бұрын

My grandfather had one of those RCA models used to watch channel 53 constantly. Thanks for sharing hope yinz getting out a bit in this spring like weather. Back to work for me multi tasking watching vids cleaning up a set myself.

@RetrofIex 2 ай бұрын

You, retrochad, radiotvphononut and shango are my favorite vintage tv channels

@dmcintosh1967 5 ай бұрын

I got an 1983 19" RCA color track TV with on screen display and remote. In nice wood grain cabinet. I did get the set with the original remote. At the moment I can't use the TV as the audio is distorted. So I have the TV in storage until I can figure out how to fix it.

@megancline8080 5 ай бұрын

Man, the picture on that set is bright and clear. It looks great!

@zhaohaigaogu7821 5 ай бұрын

I thought the appearance of the television was similar to the Panasonic model. It was wonderful. 👍

@seana806 5 ай бұрын

Here’s one observation I’ve made about the North Eastern US and the east coast in general past the Mississippi River, it seems as though people will just put things to the curb over a minor issue rather than looking into why it failed or stopped working all together or will get rid of something “because it’s old”. Some people are like that here out west in California, but usually if something has a minor issue with something out here, it’ll more than likely get set off to the side in one’s garage or shed until one gets the time to make a repair to such item. If something does get put out to the curb, usually will have a sign with FREE on it. Bought a few things myself that were set off to the side for insurance purposes, just as a backup to have on hand. That might explain why most of the older stuff that exists these days is out west, the dry climate preserves stuff since it simply doesn’t rust along with people who just don’t pitch things for no rhyme or reason and just gets set off to the side for insurance. Went off the tracks a little, but just thought I’d point that out.

@douglasallen9428 5 ай бұрын

Picture looks great, especially considering how old that TV is! Excellent work, Spats!!!

@stevesloan7132 5 ай бұрын

Oh, man. Just thought of the VCR tapes I made of the first weekend of MTV in 1981. Where are those tapes? Your wall of TV project could really rock on with those!

@SnepperStepTV 5 ай бұрын

Lucky shots getting the whole picture! So many old photos from my family, half the picture is black because it wasn't drawn yet by the guns. Lol. Anyways, my RCA TV is about the same age too, and its matching VCR is very similar to your Sears, probably also a Goldstar model, but I haven't checked. The TV is the "high tech" model, with all buttons below the screen and no knobs. On-screen display, too. They came (working perfectly!) out of a house that was built before America became a country (1760-something) and last updated maybe in 1936. The owners were still running most of their power over cords running across the ceiling and floors! The whole place was very obvious it was a bunch of boards nailed together, very cool experience. Would love to have that place as a mischief shack- you know, what a treehouse or old doghouse is for. Love hearing all the stories about your stuff, thanks for posting another vid, Spats!

@stevesloan7132 5 ай бұрын

The set and VCR still look really "hi-tech" to me even today. Nice industrial design where form follows function with no wasted space. I also remember how the Pong video game burned itself into the screen face.

@ItzYaBoyJesse 5 ай бұрын

Good morning Spats and Harley!

@tookeydookey 5 ай бұрын

Watched all the way through, this was an absolute joy! Makes me wish I had the first TV and VCR the I was raised with. The first VCR that I watched my first VHS tape was a GE 9-7100 and it was paired with a TV made by ADC (brand doesn't ring a bell to me) but we also had a Magnavox TV (from what I've seen on the internet, it looks like the RJ4250WA02 model) that was used a few months afterwards. Sadly those have all been retired in 1999 with the exception of the Magnavox TV which was retired a year or two later. Shame cuz that's when I got my first Funai-made VCR, a Philips-Magnavox one (probably a VRA231AT23 judging from old personal photos). What I would do to have those two TVs and GE VCR again!😊📼👍

@Jon-hx7pe 5 ай бұрын

you were raised inside a tv and vcr? how?

@tookeydookey 5 ай бұрын

@@Jon-hx7pe ROFL I meant to say with not in😆😆

@Jon-hx7pe 5 ай бұрын

you still have your consoles intact - i had an nes and at 10 years old thinking it was obsolete crap smashed it up for fun. regretted it.

@BHRoadStoriesBH Ай бұрын

Awesome sharing, so cute, my friend

@ItzYaBoyJesse 5 ай бұрын

Awwww it's a little Spats Bear!!! 1:16 16:21

@Mr.XJ.96 5 ай бұрын

The good old days😂 Hello from Petrolia Butler County Pa. I'm a 81 model myself and I remember watching Looney Tunes GI Joe Bobby's World Duck Tales the list goes on. Remember TGI Fridays😂 The Wonder Years Mr Belvedere Alf I remember when we first got cable I was in 6th grade I couldn't wait to get home from school to watch MTV. Then watching Wings on Discovery Channel with my dad every night.

@axelthefoxytechworld8024 5 ай бұрын

i spy a lil dude also happy birthday to your grandfather my favorate type of displays are the vacuum flouresent ones love the colors they give off

@Warp3326 5 ай бұрын

Awesome VCR and Tv's

@Runco990 5 ай бұрын

Well, this brings back memories..... My parents had the same TV. I think a lot of people did.

@TheMexyWolf 5 ай бұрын

I had a RCA console growing up from 1984 on. Year I was born in. I’d love to find it again. I had a Symphonic and Goldstar VCR as my first proper setup. That’s a nice setup you got there. Also would love to see you at a con. You ever make it near Memphis? I suit as well :3

@spatsbear 5 ай бұрын

My next con will be Anthrocon this year :3

@bigalsmallengines 5 ай бұрын

I worked for Curtis Mathes in the early 90's and briefly for circuit city. This is the kind of stuff I worked on. Amazing how much electronics have changed with time. I used to enjoy fixing stuff because the customer was always happy and appreciative to get their item back. I really enjoyed that experiance and learned a lot. Sometimes I miss that job. Great video and some great units you show here from the past. -Cheers! 🍻 -Al

@CJFoxthewhitefoxden 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for showing these to us. :) I too have fond memories about my childhood as well. I agree. Bob Barker era of Price is Right was awesome! I'd love to have a retro tv room set up like this. :) Glad to hear you're doing well.