HOW TO rebuild a vintage television using modern technology

[@rivards1]

This was a great project and very clever use of the rotary encoders to keep the mechanical control knobs! As a 70's kid though, I have one nitpick - The UHF channel light usually does not come on unless the VHF knob is set to "U". Probably not worth doing, but it's funny how my memory just picks up when something is off.

[@RetroHackShack]

Uh that's right! I forgot.

[@frankpitochelli6786]

Having been in the TV Repair bizz since 1978, I am very impressed that you intertwined old and new...very good job. I repaired MANY of those Sony models from the 70s and 80's, those models were very finicky to Repair the SCR Horz. Output transistors were very difficult as they would short out if the horz frequency was off by a couple herz....again, very good job. I closed my Repair bizz in 2018 due to the lack of serviceable TV's (cheaper to buy a new tv) than Repair the old one...however, I've noticed that retro repairs I.E...older tvs, radios, video games even vcrs and DVDs are becoming a nice side niche for a tech as myself to keep active and busy on the bench. Glad I found your channel.... subbed as of this comment.👍

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks! Learning about this TV was a lot of fun.

[@manueldi_77]

Absolute awesome project. Love it I am glad you also showed some vintage TV show on it ❤

[@horusfalcon]

This is a neat mod, Aaron! Very well thought-out (despite the foible with the chroma and hue knobs - nice save on that). This is the kind of stuff I like to see - retro without pain.

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks man

[@chrishickory7907]

FINALLY! Someone did this! I always thought it would be cool to have fully functioning knobs!

[@AthenaNova1]

I have a the shell from a 13" B&W Wards (Samsung) TV. I've been wanting to do the same thing you did with the Sony. I love the way you implemented it!

[@RetroHackShack]

Awesome

[@paulb4uk]

You gave it a good shot at getting it repaired only so much you could do and what you have done with it is superb it lives on and looks fantastic .

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks!

[@randyhavener1851]

And it's the lightest Sony Trinitron around!!! Thanks for sharing a great project!!!

[@hjr927]

This so cool, I was thinking about how I can convert an old 60s or 70s TV console to a modern TV. I am definitely doing this project. Thank you!

[@DrxSlump]

Add a thin glass (or plexiglass) layer on top of the LCD. It will drastically improve contrast due to reflection.

[@blackterminal]

Pcbway seems to sponsor all the fix channels on ytube

[@RetroHackShack]

Yeah. They are nice to work with and they support small channels.

[@devonhammond6471]

Cool project!! I could see this appealing to 50s or 80s-themed restauranteurs who would want the vibe of an older TV, but wouldn't want to mess around with trying to find a real CRT that would likely die quickly. In fact, I think Jon Taffer's team did something (somewhat) similar for a bar they were giving a retro vibe.

[@RetroHackShack]

Yeah. Just hookup a Chromecast to the back and you could stream anything wirelessly.

[@jeforiley8236]

More like this please! Great video!

[@RetroHackShack]

Glad you liked it

[@TheSulross]

glad didn't skip by this - was actually a very neat project - love the 70s themed display area back drop

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks. I have. A few more posters to hang up.

[@perryharovas]

I love this! Perfect combination of old and new! I am so in love with this and wish I could buy a product like this! Brings me back!

[@angrydove4067]

Great mod, nice work and thanks for the the tip on E6000, I need something like that for a repair I've been putting off, wondering what to use. Great TV!

[@RetroHackShack]

Thank you!

[@kaitlyn__L]

I was extremely skeptical about the bezel-filler, but that foam is seriously effective!

[@RetroHackShack]

Still holding strong

[@forestreflection2066]

This is so awesome. I'm gonna do this with my old 80s TV. Really cool

[@Jibs-HappyDesigns-990]

OMG! Steve! I'm U'r long lost brother, Tim !! I had 2 have emergency surgery also! I was #2! my missions were so hard, but I'm still alive!!wow it's so great 2 see U again!!

[@RetroHackShack]

All we need now is my ex fiance, Jamie

[@MrDave6309]

Great work..going the distance to get the controls working really made this perfect. I probably would of struggled using the old controls :)

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks!

[@PrinceValmont]

Things like this have always fascinated me. I always thought it would be a fun challenge to learn to create custom firmware for newer television systems that can emulate old CRT effects, such as scanlines, glow, color profiles, even old B&W mode emulation. Couple that with either a malleable OLED panel or a screen that you can also customize dimensions (like keystoning a projector) to allow for curved edges, and I think that would be a big improvement in a project like this.

[@TheRetroChannel]

Nice work Aaron. A lot of these LCD driver boards have a service menu where you can adjust overscan and centering (amongst a plethora of other options). Usually you can access it by pushing menu,1,1,4,7 on the remote

[@RetroHackShack]

Oh wow. Thanks! I am going to go try this right now.

[@RetroHackShack]

OK. That DOES open up the service menu. Unfortunately, it won't let me change the overscan settings no matter what I do. I can move the slider to change the value, but then it just goes back to "0" for each side of the screen.

[@TheRetroChannel]

@@RetroHackShack That's a shame, I know I've managed to get it work and actually keep the settings. I'll have another look if I remember and see if there's some step I've forgotten. There are also a lot of different firmwares out there, although I don't recommend messing with them as I bricked one of these flashing the wrong firmware

[@TheRetroChannel]

Hmm ok. So I did check mine and it allows overscan and position to be changed on all inputs except "PC". BUT, our menus are different so it looks like we're running different firmware. And menu 1,1,4,7 didn't actually work on mine, I needed to use menu 2,5,8,0

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks for checking, man!

[@darenn-keller]

This project is so cool! It's hard to find those old TVs in working condition, and doing this might actually ease the process especially if you are a fan of the analog input and chassis more than the crt image. With all the free room inside, I would love to add something inside! Maybe a computer or console.

[@Ryoga-Oneesan]

I'm really on focus on what you're doing when suddenly... ( 30:04 ) Steven He appear.... "Emotional Damage...!" that is savage...! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@RetroHackShack]

Heh heh 😋

[@MichaelEhling]

This is so clever. Well done! Also loved the $6 million thumbnail.

[@RetroHackShack]

Ha ha. Glad you liked it.

[@joonglegamer9898]

In the future - I hope these kits comes with foldable OLED screens, that would fit the purpose a lot better as you still have light bleed, not total blacks, better viewing angles etc. Plus you can bend them to fit the bezel so they emulate an old school CRT near perfectly.

[@CMan-x7k]

You can bend oled screens?

[@IvanSchmulich]

It`s cool. Thank you for the great work, and for the informative and interesting video!! Very interesting to watch!!

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks

[@CoindoorDave]

You sir, are a genius!

[@RetroHackShack]

Ha ha. I wish.

[@fkthewhat]

Very cool and very well done! I was slightly disappointed at the TN panel at first but as I watched, I think it’s appropriate. If it were IPS it might have been a bit ‘too perfect’ for the overall look. Great work!

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks. If I could have found an ips in the same dimensions I would have gone that way.

[@baroncalamityplus]

Thats so cool. I'm surprise they don't make something like this.

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks Robert

[@wastelandwanderer3883]

Great idea, and very well implemented! I looked through the comments and didn't find a mention that the old bulbs were not incandescent but actually neon bulbs, quite typical for AC applications.

[@RetroHackShack]

Yeah. Thanks.

[@NicksStuff]

For the holes, you could make a photocopy of the board (laying on a flatbed scanner) and stick it on the back. That way, you have the outline of the holes you need to drill and cut.

[@InfiniteLoop]

for authenticity, you should install a row of magnets in the case of the tv to erase any discs laid on it.

[@RetroHackShack]

Lol

[@BilisNegra]

No! They will mess up the color purity of the tub... Oh, we got carried away again.

[@jhfgjtjutyiuod]

They must have shielded 80's tv's better than 70's tv's. I had a toshiba TV with a glass panel that clipped on the front when I was using my Commodore 8 bits systems. Used to store floppies on top of the TV all the time, even kept those storage folio boxes up there and never had a corrupted disk because of it. Cool hack by the way, sorry to upset the old purists but I don't miss CRT's even a little bit, much prefer LCD's and I've owned some fancy CRT's in my time.

[@kevinshumaker3753]

Well done, sir. I think your thought of 3D printed bezel would have needed to be in multiple parts, most people don't have 3D printers big enough to handle that, but could have been very practical for the buttons/switches and rear frame. I was thinking about replacing the channel changers with rotary encoders while you were working on it. Use one for input changing, the other for the main menu. But you've accomplished a very neat project with minimal resources. Good Job!

[@RetroHackShack]

I had the same though originally, but it would have been a lot more work.

[@devonvictor3210]

Nice work on this, very neat!!

[@vicenteherrera]

Excelent hack Aaron, I will save this one, I may do something like this in the future ;-)

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks! Hope you are doing well.

[@jimmyschmidt14]

I have two old tv's. One is a CRT and the other is a 4:3 LCD. Both are 19". I was thinking of swapping the LCD panel into the CRT. LCD will give a crisper picture, component input, lighter weight, less electricity. Only thing is a 4:3 LCD tv is a retro relic itself at this point.

[@RetroHackShack]

If the CRT is working I wouldn't bother. But it is a fun project.

[@paulstubbs7678]

24:30 That's a neon lamp, not an incandescent bulb

[@TzOk]

24:40 These are neon indicator lamps, they are not incandescent bulbs.

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks for clarifying!

[@ASMRPeople]

I've been looking to do something like this on a 60s era TV. All other hack I see try to put a 16:9 LCD in the case. It's nice to know one can get a 4:3 LCD.

[@RetroHackShack]

It would be better to get in ips display, but I couldn't find one in 4:3.

[@MrToast64]

What an awesome project!

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks

[@stephenbeecher7545]

I seem to remember that the UHF channel number would only light up if the VHF tuner knob was in the U position. Maybe you could do that mod too without much difficulty. Nice work on this project.

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks

[@chrissmith82771]

Was gonna say that. The vhf tuner should/could? have a switch check where the old neon bulbs were connected.

[@Oli1974]

21:43 why didn't you put a piece of perspex in? A little heating should work wonders to shape it exactly to fit the rounded bezel!

[@RetroHackShack]

When you look at it you don't notice that anything is missing. So I didn't feel I needed anything like that.

[@dusint]

What a cool project...

[@Liam97Chris]

This is wicked cool!

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks

[@JVHShack]

Thank you so much for this video, Aaron! I actually have a B&W TV with issues (screen flickers with audible electrical zapping noises) that I don't feel comfortable repairing and I also have a Raspberry Pi model 4 that I wanted to use for RetroPi. This video gave me do many ideas to help me make that happen. The only thing that I wish that I could keep in my TV is the AM/FM tuner since that part still works.

[@RetroHackShack]

Awesome. Just keep in mind that the RPi in the right circumstances could corrupt the sd card if turned off without powering it down. It doesn't happen as often with the RPi 4 as it does the older models though.

[@bigalsmallengines]

Pretty cool.... Cheers to you! 🍻 -Al Cox

[@JairdMinton]

Love this! I think I want to attempt this!

[@KevinFields777]

Superb project! Any thoughts about repurposing the tuning knobs and hacking it into a DTV converter?

[@RetroHackShack]

It's possible. Lots of work though.

[@JRJohnson1701]

This is just awesome! I really want to do something like this with my furniture cabinet TV from the 80s (still trying to find the right model). It had a pull on power/volume dial, a number pad, and a two-digit LED channel indicator and a fabric speaker cover. If I can't find that model in good repair or repairable, I do want to replicate it with the dial and number pad, an LCD monitor, and a raspberry pi to do TV emulation. If I manage to find a number pad and volume dial, could I ask you for some advice on how to hook that up to control the pi? And maybe use a remote control in addition?

[@gmirwin]

I'm personally glad you used foam instead of 3d printing the bezel inserts. Although they're becoming far more common and are cheaper than ever, a lot of people still don't have access to one, whether by choice or necessity. While I have no problem with people using one, I still like to see solutions that don't require one. In this case, designing and printing the object would have been even far more complicated and time consuming than simply cutting it out of foam as you did.

[@infinitecanadian]

I said that Zaxxon was good looking just before you said 'Lookin' good'. The Atari 8-Bit version has got to be one of the best, but this one is up there. I would recommend putting some weight in that new set so that you don't accidentally over-compensate expecting there to be a CRT in there.

[@JoCrt]

Really fun video.

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks

[@pgtmr2713]

Now you've got a giant empty case with a handle... plenty of room for a Pi4, rechargeable drill battery, buck converter, keyboard and mouse, video game controllers, etc. Twister OS has Retropie on the desktop. You should have a black and White/greyscale background too. Maybe a classic test pattern. Drill some holes in the shell on each side for speakers then glue some fiberboard and black cloth over the sides to cover the obvious modern speakers

[@infinitecanadian]

That television set that I said my dad hooked the Apple ][ up to might have been a Trinitron. Dad got another Trinitron in the 2000s. The first one we had before my parents divorced; I remember it in the house in Burnaby in the 1980s.

[@loganjorgensen]

I was kind of skeptical about the idea but it came together pretty good. Not the easiest thing to fit the old shell that maybe anyone trying the same might want to 3D print something. Wonder what the old fat-back space might be good for, a portable battery, maybe a drink holder if you put some slots on the top. Must be lighter now. ;) 32:00 Yeah it's called Overscan, early sets had quite a large edge loss but it got smaller and smaller in percentage as CRTs got flatter and squarer, probably reached it's smallest amount around the time of PS2/Xbox/GC era and then HDTVs arrived. I've been thinking of doing something similar in CRT recreation but haven't quite worked out how to add CRT shader filters in a generic cheap manner, also acrylic fish lens overlays for LCDs sound promising but kind of expensive to make in small batches I gather.

[@hiimdaisy946]

Bionic TV Set! Lol! Love this project btw, it would be really cool if the screen is an OLED screen. I think that would be fantastic and worth the price imo. Also I think another good idea for a mod like this would be to insert the inner cavity of the TV with some other components that will allow for digital and analog public tv? Just a thought.

[@RetroHackShack]

It has a tuner on board for broadcast HD and standard TV. I would definitely use an IPS or even OLED screen if I could find one in this form factor

[@coryengel]

Not bad. I would have liked to see the front of the original tube cut off and glued into the case to provide a more authentic convex look.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

how are you going to get translate the IF from the tuners and turn the signal back into a picture and sound.

[@gmirwin]

I'm pretty sure those tiny lamps at 24:30 are neon, not incandescent lamps, something like the NE-2 that was used in pilot or locator light switches forever.

[@stevethepocket]

I'm now imagining what a professional version of this might be like, that were custom designed and mass produced. The screen would be a curved mini-LED to match the bezel. There would be a real DTV tuner inside. The power knob would have a solenoid like a car lock so when you turn it off and on with the remote, it actually pops in and out. The channel knobs would select input and channel, respectively, and be designed like a car's volume knob where it goes click but doesn't actually do anything when it's not turned on. That way you can still use the remote instead, and the channel knob isn't limited to 71 channels. The picture adjustment knobs would do exactly what they say. The lit channel displays next to the dials would be tiny mini-LED screens, so they could display whichever channels your auto-scan found. There would be component and S-video inputs. And any 240p signal would trigger a fake scanline mode. ...There's gotta be a market for something like that, right?

[@RetroHackShack]

I like the idea

[@samueldsouza8797]

better still oled

[@TheSulross]

exactly my thoughts - is there a retro interest market to be served here with such faux retro-themed products?

[@RetroHackShack]

For sure. I think the c64 mini and the likes where pretty successful.

[@rager-69]

Cool project. I surprised the Apple iic worked on this display, as Woz's video signal works fine on CRTs, but doesn't play nice with a lot of LCDs.

[@JairdMinton]

Is the component containing the software that you built a necessary piece to the puzzle?

[@SebastianGrobPla]

I'm doing a similar project, replacing the CRT with an infinite mirror and I want the "channels" to be different effects, and the other knobs to control the other variables, but I don't know how to use the channel rotary switch with my esp32. Do You have some resourses to get this info?

[@genocidemerk295]

Could I use a 8ohm 10w set of 2 speakers with a 4 pin connector?

[@manuelester7420]

The curved plastic around the screen is a problem for that flat screen. Solve this, by grinding away plastic from the inside of the curve. Making it flat for the screen to press up against.😎🙏

[@Mindrax]

Brilliant :)

[@RetroHackShack]

Thanks

[@NicksStuff]

I didn't understand the problem with the class D amp and a mono setup. Any chance you could elaborate? Wouldn't it be solved with a couple of diodes or something?

[@RetroHackShack]

It's been a long time since I did this video, but I was probably referring to class D amps not being able to share a common ground.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

Should the sound come through the HDMI cables to the speakers in the TV.

[@RetroHackShack]

Yes. It does.

[@TheCheegro]

Have u ever thought about or have u ever rebuilt a jvc 1455c . I just got a beautiful jvc model 1455c from 1984 of the side of the road. My wishes are that I can somehow either make this tv compatible to use with my computer monitors, I invest in stocks so to use an old school tv as a monitor to view the markets would be kind of awesome in my opinion. Or I would simply just like to be able to set this tv up as a surveillance tv for my property . Lol my hopes are really high. I have no knowledge of tvs like this. But I really don't know where to look for answers. My partner wants to gut the tv for parts and then throw it out but in my opinion the tv is in perfect condition I can't let it get gutted haha. I would really appreciate if you could educate me a bit on this.

[@elektrokinesis4150]

you actually did it, I could have fixed the busted chassis, it was looking like there was a short in the Horizontal Output section...

[@Wanton110]

Hid the IR sensor in the speaker grill

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

Have the rotary encoder drive 4066 CMOS switches.

[@RetroHackShack]

Sure. You could. But transistors were dead simple.

[@peteregan9750]

nice , but you need sheet metal strips - cut to length, drill holes, bolt on - better!

[@Pdor_figlio_di_Kmer]

In the seventies... well, more the eighties here in Italy because the private broadcasts started at the end of the 70ies and before you could only choose between two national channels... the remote control were US kids commanded by our parents. The good old days weren't really that good when we lived them, back then. 😏

[@RetroHackShack]

Same here

[@TzOk]

Really? ESP32 for simulating button presses? C'mon. I'd be tempted to "waste" one more encoder to power on/off and double control of a volume in addition to these two encoders, you already had. Effectively, you'd have a two volume knobs, but that shouldn't be a big issue.

[@RetroHackShack]

Yeah. I forgot to mention the other reason for selecting the ESP 32. I enabled OTA updates to make it easy to update if I wanted to add more functionality.

[@kyle8952]

Putting LCDs in CRT TV cabinets is always gauche.

[@frstwhsprs]

Take a pint everytime he used the 'We can rebuild' line

[@gregorysharp]

❤

[@infinitecanadian]

You should get that hairdo. I'm serious. You should sell the parts from this that you couldn't use. I'm sure a tuner could be used by someone.

[@alexlang5308]

I like your videos. But replacing CRT Triniton with LCD is not a hack but a perversion.

[@RetroHackShack]

I would agree if it was working. 🙂You are welcome to sit and look at a blank screen all day with no games or image at all if you want.

[@KevinFields777]

Sure if you want to wait half of your life for the right size Trinitron to show up, and hope that it also isn't used up.

[@matthiasmartin1975]

What??? You threw out the picture tube because you could not find a replacement flyback??? I thought this was about substituting in a generic flyback and generating the missing voltages using some meanwell and dc-dc converter magic. You do you of course, but as far as I'm concerned, the world doesn't need another dog bed with an LCD display stuffed into it.

[@lox_5017]

All this for gaming!! Why not go to your local thrift store and pick up a real crt tv for a couple of bucks. Better yet why not connect your gaming to today's flat screen tvs. I would think the images would stand out better.

[@RetroHackShack]

Not really for gaming. I have tons of real CRTs for that. More of a challenge to myself to make use of this TV chassis after the flyback blew.

[@FatheredPuma81]

Dislike Basically clickbait imo. "Rebuild" lmfaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaao.

[@phonotical]

A flat screen, an lcd... You've fucked it

[@RetroHackShack]

Better than throwing it in the trash, no?

[@KevinFields777]

It was already fucked.

[@phonotical]

@@RetroHackShack no