Restoration Project #50 - Sinclair MTV-1
Back in summer of 2023, I finally scored one of these early portable TVs. You might recognize the different cameras that were used during the course of the project. Somehow, it got shelved after ordering the new batteries and I just recently finished it. Also... the name tag on the bench didn't quite work out as expected... works a bit better for live streams IMHO.
Now to some details: the Sinclair MTV-1 - or "microvision" - was one of the first portable TVs. The tube was originally made for portable oscilloscopes, but if you are a big company, you can order a bulk with white phosphor instead of the usual green. Using a scope tube also has the advantage of capacitive - or electrical - deflection rather than magnetic. These yokes need quite a bit of juice and saving energy is good for a mobile application.
Besides the bad batteries and capacitors, there were two issues: the little latches for the on/off switches broke off, one after the ohter. Annoying to say the least. The second issue was homemade: upside down capacitor that went "bang!" Trust me, when you are troubleshooting a device that contains a vacuum tube and hear a loud bang while you try to find out why a voltage is too low... you WILL flinch!
But anyhow, let's dig in and see if this piece of history will show a picture at the end!
0:00 Intro / Overview
1:14 Unpacking / Disassembly Start
4:00 Finally Inside!
6:10 PCB Unfolding Done
8:14 NiCd Desoldering and Damage Assessment
8:55 Recapping! / PCB Cleanup
10:30 New Batteries
11:22 Missing Link! / Test Assembly Start
13:30 Selection Switches Broke!
14:32 Test Setup Take Two / Jumpers
16:02 -45V Issue... / First Picture
17:05 Test Signal / Button Repair
20:07 Switch Update / Assembly!
21:38 Wiggling Components into Place / Case Crack
24:10 No more Missing Link! / Fitting Case
26:22 Stickers! / Video Test
27:30 Summary / Credits / Outtake
Music (in order)
My Train's A Comin' - Unicorn Heads
Nine Lives - Unicorn Heads
Wrong - Dan Henig
Town of 24 Bars - Unicorn Heads
Light Expanse - Unicorn Heads
(YouTube Audio Library)
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