ETF - DuMont 183

DuMont 183X

(click on picture for high resolution image)

	Screen Size	14 inch
	Year Made	1939
	Quantity Manufactured	?
	Original Cost	$435
	Number Still in Existence	See Prewar Database
	Cabinet	Original Finish
	Chassis	Not Restored

With the exception of the base of the cabinet, this set is in excellent condition. Here are brochures about this set and Rider technical data. The 183X was first advertised in September, 1939. It used the 14AP4 "Teletron" CRT, which has an "intensifier" anode that produced a brighter picture than the earlier tubes used by DuMont.

The X series receivers also have a switch that selects two sets of scan rate controls. When the set was first introduced, the dual controls were apparently used to select between 441 line transmissions from NBC and CBS, and a proposed higher scan rate proposed by DuMont. In 1941 the FCC approved a 525 line standard, and DuMont then suggested that the receiver could be used to watch experimental field sequential color broadcasts:

Froim Rider Volume 13

In 1941 RCA and CBS were both broadcasting experimental field sequential color, using various frame rates. Here is a summary from Ed Reitan's site:

February 20, 1941

Color television pictures in motion were put on the air by NBC in its first telecast of color by mechanical means from a TV studio.

From DuMont Receiver Manual for its multi-standard *Model 180X to 183X* set:

(b) NBC has transmitted color with 441 lines per frame and 60 frames per second, requiring 26,460 scanning lines per second, and 120 vertical fields per second.

June 1, 1941

Daily color broadcasts (field tests) begin on WCBW

September 2, 1941

375 line, 120 field system announced (ref. IRE April 1942 paper, also see Sept. 1943 paper).

From DuMont Receiver Manual for its multi-standard *Model 180X to 183X* set:

(a) CBS Color pictures use 375 lines per frame at 60 frames per second which requires a horizontal scanning rate of 22,500 lines per second, and a vertical scanning rate of 120 field scans per second.

The other surviving 183Xs have the switch located on the front panel, as described in the Rider maual (above). The switch on our set is located on the rear panel, and is marked "B/W" and "Col". It is likely that our set was used in 1941 for viewing experimental color broadcasts (in black and white, of course).

After the war, our set was used in Washington, DC, to receive W3XWT. This card was taped inside the back of the set:

W3XWT started broadcasting in 1945, but, since no sets were manufactured during the war, this prewar set was used in Washington. Here is an article about W3XWT.

From the 1944 movie "Brewster's Millions". A DuMont 183 has been made to look more modern by the art department. The image on the screen is pasted on.

(Courtesy of Steve Dichter)