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Early Electronic Television

RCA TT-5

Early Television

(click on picture for high resolution image)

Screen Size 5 inch
Year Made 1939
Quantity Manufactured 587
Original Cost $199
Number Still in Existence See Early Electronic Database
Cabinet Original Finish
Chassis Restored

  • Advertising literature
  • RCA dealer sheet (courtesy of Eric Coon)
  • RCA dealer display
  • Using a radio for TV sound
  • RCA TT-5 discovered in Missouri
  • RCA Begins Conversion of Television Sets
  • American TV set manufacturing numbers
  • Technical information

The TT-5 was RCA's least expensive set in 1939. It is a vision-only set, requiring an external radio to receive the sound. It has a 5 channel tuner and a 5 inch screen. The cabinet and chassis are in excellent condition.

We have learned something of the history of this set. It was purchased by an engineer in Princeton, New Jersey. In 1968 he "restored" it for the 1968 25th  anniversary of the Sarnoff Research Labs. Unfortunately, his restoration involved substantial modification of the original circuits  After his death, the set was sold to a collector. 

Early Television

This is a photo of the RCA assembly line, showing the TT-5 being built, taken for the 1939 book Magic Dials, which described RCA's introduction of television.

Early Television

A postcard from 1940

Early Television

RCA 16T3 radio, made in 1939 and having a TV audio input connection for use with the TT-5 television receiver

Early Television

Early Television

Dealer display

 


 
Early Television Museum
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