RCA Berkshire Regency Television
Year: 1948 | Deflection: Magnetic |
Production: 246 | Focus: Electrostatic |
Original Price: $3,250.00 | HV Type: Flyback |
Tube Count: 69 | CRT: 5TP4 |
The RCA Berkshire series were the top of the line entertainment systems in 1948. The Regency model cost $3,250 ($24,792 in today's money), production was only 246 units. For your $3,250 you received RCA's best projection TV system with a 15"x20" screen, a chrome plated AM-FM 7 band short wave receiver with auto tune, phonograph changer with the latest GE magnetic pickup, chrome plated 40 watt amplifier, and a 15" dual cone/voice coil speaker.A total of 69 tubes. 24 in the receiver, 9 in the power supply/amplifier, and 36 in the TV.All this in a massive 53"H x 72"W x 24"D, 545 lb. cabinet |
Doors open showing TV screen and receiver. Phono is in pull out drawer, record storage underneath.The Regency cabinet was designed by Edward Wormley.The 15" Duo-Cone speaker has a frequency range of 30 to 15,000 cycles, the large cone reproduces from 30 to 2,000 cycles, the small cone from 2,000 to 15,000 cycles.The audio section included a dynamic noise suppressor. The radio also includes variable selectivity. |
The control panel was designed by John Vassos. The chrome plated receiver. |
The Auto-Tune Motors |
The underside of the receiver shows its design heritage from military receivers. The wiring is all laced, RF and IF covers are silver plated. |
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The chrome plated 40
watt power amplifier and power supply.
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The underside of the 40 watt amplifier/power supply. The large selenium rectifier was for the DC supply for the radio filaments, the smaller rectifier was for the band change motor. An interesting side note is that the original filament transformer couldn't supply the needed voltage to the radio tubes so an additional 3 volt transformer (transformer in lower right corner) was added in series with the original to overcome the voltage drop in the 10 foot wiring harness. |
The projection TV chassis. All of the RCA 1947-1949 projection sets used this same Model PTU-1 Projection Television Unit. |
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The ID tags inside the set. Serial number 2058Unit B-2
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Screen shot taken after restoration of set. A new projection mirror was installed. |