Page Two A

Continuation of Vintage Micro Television, this is page Two A.

Next up, Sony FD 20A and Sony FD 30A

1983-1984

Sony FD 20A and FD 30A

Introduced in 1984, possibly late 1983, the second generation Sony Watchman televisions were 20% smaller and lighter then the original Watchman TV. Two inch flat screen CRT’S. They retain nice crisp styling, but now the cases are all plastic. Both sets came with the same accessories as the Sony FD 210 but the carrying case is now a silver vinyl, not as classy as the previous FD 210. Additionally, the FD 20A has a snap on magnify lens. They both have built in stands and run on standard 4 AA batteries or AC power adapter. The FD 20A measures 3 1/8 w 6 1/2 h 1 5/8 d inches. The FD 30A is 1/4 inch wider and 1/4 inch higher.

FD 30A adds a AM/FM stereo tuner, very nice Sony. The FD 20A was manufactured in January 1984, the FD 30A was manufactured in November, 1983, both operate normally today. Screen shot below is scaled to be actual size on a 1600 resolution monitor. If viewed on larger monitor, image will be smaller, if viewed on a smaller monitor, image will be over sized. Image quality typical on all black and white Sony Watchman’s.

During the 1980’s, Sony introduced various cabinet styles for their flat CRT micro televisions and they were not only available in the standard silver color as above, but also in black, white, gray, red and blue. Additionally, one could order the FD 20A with your favorite NFL or AFL football team logo. Below, is a mint condition FD 20A in the rare blue color, manufactured July, 1983.

Next up, Panasonic Travelvision TR 1020P

1984

Panasonic Travelvision TR 1020P

The fourth black and white model in the series, once again a 1 1/2 inch CRT which adds a AM/FM Stereo tuner. Very strong performer offering a clear detailed image. Built in easel type stand and came with snap on magnifying lens, hand strap, AC power adapter and case. Optional rechargeable battery, this set runs on 4 standard AA batteries. Measures 6 5/8″ d x 4″ w x 1 9/16″ h. Manufactured May, 1984. This set functions perfectly and acquired in May, 2010.

Next up, Seiko T 102 Color TFT

1984

* You may have read on other websites that the near identical Epson Elf ET 10 was the world’s first color LCD pocket television. From all the information found and outlined below, I believe the Seiko T 102 and Epson Elf ET 10 were released to their respective markets simultaneously. I have a Chicago Tribune wire photo dated May 21, 1984 announcing the availability of the T102 in the United States.

Introduced in 1984, this is the world’s first * TFT ( Thin Film Transistor ) color micro TV. The two inch panel contains 52,800 picture elements, each pixel addressed by a matching transistor which turns on and off each pixel in the display. TFT technology greatly enhanced the picture quality over the previous ” passive ” LCD panels shown earlier. Passive displays addressed rows and columns of pixels instead of individual pixels.

The dream was realized, one could now easily carry a color television in the pocket for the first time! It has a built in miniature florescent tube to back light the display. Additionally, one could open a panel in the rear of set which has a metallic coating. This allowed ambient light to reflect on the panel from the rear without the need to turn on the back light. This TV measures 6 3/8 w 3 3/16 h 1 1/4 d inches. Light weight even with the 5 standard AA batteries installed compared to previous televisions. The set included a hand strap, ear phone, soft and hard case.

I tracked the development of this set in Popular Science magazine, November, 1983. The cover featured a pre- production model for the Japanese market. The manufacture’s name at that time was Suwa Seikosha. This set was featured in other publications as well, eagerly awaiting to purchase and inquires said the set was on order and coming soon. Finally purchased in October, 1984, $495.00. It still functions perfectly today.

Epson the co-developer, introduced a near identical set called the Epson ET 10 simultaneously. In the September, 1984 issue of Popular Science Magazine the final production versions of both sets were pictured with a brief review. This magazine hit the news stands in early August and magazine articles are usually prepared about one month in advance of publication. I believe the reporter had both sets delivered for review in June or July, 1984, therefor I estimate this set was manufactured sometime prior to June, 1984. Epson was an unfamiliar name and was not marketed actively in the area that I lived. It was some time before learning of the near identical Epson brand.

1961 — Shinshu Seiki Co., Ltd. is established as a subsidiary of Suwa Seikosha.

1982 — Shinshu Seiki is renamed Epson Corporation

1985 — Suwa Seikosha and Epson merge to form Seiko Epson Corporation

(In other words, Seiko is/was the parent company of Epson. In Epson’s “Milestone Products” web page, they lay claim to the release of the world’s first digital watch, the Seiko Quartz LC V.F.A. 06LC in 1973 and the Seiko TV Watch in 1982, both with Seiko name branding. On the other hand, in the September, 1984 issue of Popular Mechanics Magazine, both the Seiko and Epson were reviewed and reported that Seiko developed the technology and holds all patents for the device.)

Interestingly, in the same year, Panasonic introduced a 1 1/2 inch color CRT micro TV model CT 101A. It measured 4.4 x 7.2 x 1.7 inches. Remarkable for a CRT. The Seiko is smaller and lighter.

Click on image for full view and download.

From this point forward, micro television would advance at a rapid pace as you will see in upcoming additions to this collection.

Official press release (Google translation) and photo: Japan. Japanese clock and watch company Suwa Seikosha has produced the world’s first portable TV – pocketbook. The new receiver uses liquid crystal panel with a thickness of 2.5 mm instead of plain tube. Pocket TV is 16 cm wide and 2.8 cm thick only weighs 500 g with the help of five alkaline batteries U-3, he can run four hours. The new miniature television will be placed on the Japanese market in May this year.

Screen shots taken from Seiko T 102 on July 2, 2010. Scaled to be actual size on a 1600 x 1200 monitor. If viewed on a 1024 x 768 monitor, images will be over sized. As you can see CRT technology still reigns supreme, but not for long.

Next up, Epson Elf ET 10 Color TFT

1984

Epson Elf ET 10 Color TFT

This is Epson’s version of the above Seiko T 102 television. Virtually identical, except for cosmetics, branding and case color. Epson’s website: http://global.epson.com/company/milestones/16_et10.htm states that the ET 10 was placed on the market in August, 1984. I prefer the styling of this Epson model over the above Seiko model. Acquired, August, 2010 in excellent condition and the rechargeable battery still holds a charge.

Click on image for full view and download.

Next up, Epson Elf Color TV model ET-12G

1984

Epson Elf Color TV model ET-12G

This model completes my Seiko/Epson original introductions of the world’s first pocket LCD color televisions. Appears identical to the above model ET-10 except it has a dark champagne cabinet and the screen filter has a blue tint. Found this one March, 2011, complete with soft travel case, external power adapter, rechargeable battery, earphone, papers and clip on screen magnifier. The set is in good cosmetic, working condition, possibly the best looking of the three models.

Click on photos below for full size 1600 wallpaper for your computer.

Next up, Panasonic Travelvision CT 101A World’s Smallest Color CRT

1984

Panasonic Travelvision CT 101A

Finally found one, rare 1 1/2 inch color CRT from Panasonic introduced in 1984. It uses a three-gun, three beam tri-phosphor precision in line design. The world’s smallest color CRT. The screen is slightly larger then a postage stamp! To see this TV in operation is amazing. It has a snap on magnifying lens as all previous Panasonic micro TV’s. Manuel tuning with on screen channel call, 4 way power operation, rechargeable battery, standard AA batteries, 12 volt operation, built in easel type stand, hand strap and travel case. Measures 7 3/16″ d x 4 5/16″ w x 1 3/8″ h (1 9/16″ at thickest part). Manufactured June, 1984.

The image quality is better then the Seiko T 102, world’s first TFT Active Matrix color LCD TV. The Seiko is smaller, lighter, has a larger screen, uses less power and is a true pocket TV. The Panasonic would classify as a coat pocket TV. I acquired this set June, 2010 and it functions perfectly. Click on image below for full view and download 1600×1200 wallpaper for your computer.

Panasonic CT 101A in operation and actual size screen shots, scaled for a 1600×1200 resolution monitor. If viewed on a 1024×768 monitor, the bottom two screen shots will be about 2.2 inches. The first image is actual size. Click on first image to see pixel structure enlarged 10.6 times.

Panasonic CT 101A 1.85 Oversize Screen Shot photographed June 10, 2010

Next up, Panasonic Travelvision TR 1030P

1984

Panasonic Travelvision TR 1030P

The smallest production CRT television in the world until the introduction of the Sony FD 10A, more about that later. 1 1/2 inch black and white. Measures 5.9 x 3.1 x 1.5 inches. This would be the final model in the series of micro black and white televisions from Panasonic. The company stepped up the styling, it has a nice finished look. Remember the TR 001 from 1970 unfinished look?, a jewel to hold in hand. Even today, I am astonished by it’s diminutive size. This time, standard 4 AA batteries can be used, therefore this set is fully functional today. The same accessories were supplied with set as in the earlier models. This set was manufactured November, 1983 and completes my Panasonic micro TV collection.

Next up, Citizen Bookvision 05TA Color LCD

1985

Citizen Bookvision 05TA Color LCD

Introduced in 1985, this was the debut of color LCD television by Citizen Watch Co. of Japan, the model 05TA, also known as BOOKVISION. A 2.7 inch passive TN LCD color display with 35,200 pixels which could be used as a monitor thanks to it’s audio/video inputs. It was called Bookvision because it’s size was similar to a paperback book, 4 1/8″ W x 7″ H x and only 0.89″ thick. Bright, color and tint controls. It has a convenient slip case for travel and a flip out three stage lighting block in rear to allow ambient light to pass through the display without turning on the built in back light. Earphone, wire antenna and hand strap were included. Built in fold out stand. It weighs 16 ounces, uses 5 standard AAA batteries or power adapter and retailed for $250.00.

I acquired this television November 2010 and it is in very good condition, the viewing screen is scratch free, no chips, scratches or scuffs on the cabinet. The tuner is touchy and requires patience to tune in a station and not as sensitive as other sets in my collection. The monitor option on the other hand, works great. The set’s styling, evokes a classic remembrance of televisions and radios in previous decades with it’s lines and solid feel. I remember the introduction of this set, but chose not to purchase. The picture quality is one of the better passive LCD color displays which addresses rows and columns instead of individual pixels. See screen shots below.

Next up, Casio TV 1000 Color

1985

Casio TV 1000 Color

An original purchase in 1985, this was the debut of Casio’s first color television with passive LCD, 2.5 inch display. It was launched almost simultaneously with the above Citizen 05TA. Electronic tuning with tuning indicator scale along side of screen. It has a built in back light and flip out panel with metallic surface to allow ambient light to pass though the panel without use of the back light. Audio/video, external antenna and earphone inputs, it measures 6 7/16″ W  x 3 5/16″ H  x 1 3/8″ D.  It has a recessed easel type stand and uses 5 standard AA batteries or external 6 volt power supply. Tint, color saturation and brightness controls and has a wrist strap, with soft travel case.

The styling is similar to the Sinclair FTV1/B (TV 80) introduced in 1983,  shown on Page Two and still functions well today. See the screen shots below.

New Years Eve 2011 screen shots and Rose Parade in Pasadena, California on New Years day 2011, photographed December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2011. This television has the lowest quality color passive LCD display in my collection. You can see Casio’s efforts in their first generation color passive LCD. Citizens model above, did a better job. Seiko’s T102 active matrix TFT model from 1984 above, is much better.

SEE PAGE THREE, VINTAGE MICRO TELEVISION FOR CONTINUATION OF TIME LINE