1989 Zenith Television upgraded to 2011

[1989ZenithTV]

Hello I've recently received a 1989 Zenith Television set from my grandfather the television set has been in the family for over 22+ years, and I remember latest my PS2 system was able to play on the Television, but the concern is the plug where the television connection says Satellite, and I know most Television sets today don't have a satellite connection. My Question is What items do I need to make my 1989 Zenith Color Television set 21 century? I think it has something to do with an upgrade with the motherboard, and what else, also how much is this repair going to set me back? Thanks guys.

 

[shrtrnd]

What do you want to do with it? It'll play systems made for the old analog TV signal, (which went digital a while back), VCR's, DVD's, Playstation, as it is. Cable and most
satellite connections are also compatible.
If you want over the airwaves, old-style local TV stations, you need the converter box
that picks-up the (now) digital signals, and converts them to analog, for your old TV
tuner.
I'm going to tell you right now though. I spent a lot of my younger years working in
TV repair shops. We used to send-out the TV tubes for rebuilding, when the colors
faded, ...you won't be able to do that anymore. (I mean the CRT picture tube)
Don't blow a lot of money on fixing the Zenith (which for my money, was the best set
built, ... MADE to be repaired). Because when your picture tube goes, the set is done.
Good luck.

 

[1989ZenithTV]

What do you want to do with it? It'll play systems made for the old analog TV signal, (which went digital a while back), VCR's, DVD's, Playstation, as it is. Cable and most
satellite connections are also compatible.
If you want over the airwaves, old-style local TV stations, you need the converter box
that picks-up the (now) digital signals, and converts them to analog, for your old TV
tuner.
I'm going to tell you right now though. I spent a lot of my younger years working in
TV repair shops. We used to send-out the TV tubes for rebuilding, when the colors
faded, ...you won't be able to do that anymore. (I mean the CRT picture tube)
Don't blow a lot of money on fixing the Zenith (which for my money, was the best set
built, ... MADE to be repaired). Because when your picture tube goes, the set is done.
Good luck.

Thanks for the detailed information shrtrnd Where can I find one of these converter boxes? Can you give me an estimate how much this item runs, so I can have some knowledge to not get rip up from the store or repairman. Lastly when I find the converter box will it work with my dish/direct tv cable box? Thanks.

 

[davenn]

Thanks for the detailed information shrtrnd Where can I find one of these converter boxes? Can you give me an estimate how much this item runs, so I can have some knowledge to not get rip up from the store or repairman. Lastly when I find the converter box will it work with my dish/direct tv cable box? Thanks.

go to your local radio shack etc type of store they all sell digital set top boxes
if anything like in OZ they will range from $30 to more than $100 ya get what ya pay for

cheers
Dave

 

[shrtrnd]

Like davenn says, a lot of electronics and big-box stores sell the converters. They
were marketed heavily when the U.S. changed the standard for local television station
broadcasts from analog to digital signal. Ask in a store that sells televisions, they'll
know what you're talking about. The U.S. government gave out free $40 coupons when
this all happened, to help defray the cost to people who had the old TV sets, which
jacked the store price up to $80, so they could make money off the coupons, and
customers. Most anybody who needed one back then, got one, so I would HOPE
the price has come down since then, because I don't imagine there's a big demand
for them now. I got a few of them to test out, worst one I found was made by APEX.
I'd avoid that brand if I was you.
I don't know how dish/direct tv works. Just call them and ask them on your old Zenith.
Cable companies were not affected by the 'over-the-airwaves' broadcast standard change
from analog to digital, their signals to your TV did not change. All of my televisions in
the house are on cable, they're all the old analog TV's, and when the local airwave
stations went digital, the cable company signal to my old analog TV's was completely
unaffected.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news on your Zenith. I know you want to keep the legacy
going. The Zenith sets were a pleasure to repair, but everything is dependent on
seeing the picture on the picture tube, and I don't know anybody that rebuilds them
anymore. Kind of like having a Rolls Royce, with no tires on it. Beautiful, but you
need the complete package, to enjoy it.
It's not difficult to keep using the Zenith while you can. A store that sells TV's will
be able to help, and your dish provider, can give you any other info you need.