Looking to date an RCA Victor New Vista. Plus modernization?

Hi everyone. New poster here. My father has his great grandmother's RCA Victor New Vista stereo/phono/TV system in the basement, and I have two questions.

First, I was hoping to get a date for the system.

Second, I wanted to know if anyone has any experience "modernizing" one of these. Specifically, I'd like to remove the old tube TV and put in a custom center cabinet with a small HDTV screen, and connect it to the existing sound system. Does this sound doable, or would I be getting myself into a world of pain?

I'm not against replacing other components to accomplish this, but most everything else works so I'd like to preserve as many original components as possible and make this into a functional home piece.

Here's the photos:
http://yfrog.com/gz6g9lj
http://yfrog.com/hsmhtbj
http://yfrog.com/hs190ej
http://yfrog.com/h66fuej

It dates to 1963. It ain't doable. You actually have a real problem in that something don't work now.

Everything on it works perfectly. I just think a newer TV with digital tuner would be more useful than the analog black and white set. But if it's truly not doable I'll pass.

Oh...good then. I got thrown off by "but most everything else works."

Any TV collector shudders when they here this. You will distroy the value of the set to any collector forever, although the truth being told, it has little value now. That being said, someone who wants something different might be interested in it like all those idiots who make fish tanks out of old TV's. If your not a collector and it's going to the dump anyway, why not. The audio from the flat screen should be able to be tapped into the amp. Might even be able to use RCA jacks. I can't see how one would fit though. The new ones are much more rectangular than this is.

Neither my father nor I have no interest in ever selling it to a collector. It's a family item, and if I can't repurpose it to be a piece to use in my home, it's going to remain in my parents' basement until my father dies.

I was considering hiring someone to design a custom center casing which would appear similar to the original piece, but have a rectangular opening for a very small LCD television, and possibly an opening above or below that could hold a cable box.

I don't have any sentimental stake in preserving the tube TV, and I'm doing this for me, not for some future collector. If it can't easily be done (connecting the audio was my main concern), then I'll hook up a cable box with an adapter and sit it on top of the unit.

As for the "mostly everything" works, that's in regard to the record player. It works, but the motor needs a bit of manual help to get up to speed.

Mixing old with new technology isn't uncommon.
Particularly if someone wants maximum enjoyment from something.
An LCD of appropriate size can be retrofitted into that system easily.
Also, I'd think about getting the amp/tuner/changer overhauled, if expecting it to perform safely, and for a long time.
The RCA Victor consoles sound tremendous when properly restored.
Consider a few hundred bucks for getting the stereo up to par, some additional work for custom cabinet work, and of course, the cost of a new flat-screen set.

Lord knows I've had to do custom work for customers, and they've always (thank god) raved about my work.

If it's worth it to you..... go for it.

Right now I'm backed up with restorations, but in the Philly Pa area.

Thanks for the insight, MattTech. I'm actually in Philly myself, but I'm a few years away from having a house to put this in. If you're still around you might just hear from me.

Use a digital to analog TV converter box.

Radiocolin,

That TV will need to be restored if you expect it to work for very long. At least capacitor replacement, which is quite involved. Even if it works now, it probably won't for long. I could be wrong but I wouldn't bet on it. The thing with electronics is that capacitors dry out whether they are used or not. The tuner and amplifier need it also but it is more critical in the TV because of the high voltages involved.

If you are really serious about the conversion, MattTech has a very good reputation. I would contact him and maybe set up a time when he could look at it. He will easily be able to fix the record player also.

If it were me, I would restore it as stock. But you are not me. It's your fathers and yours and do what works for you.

ggregg wrote:Radiocolin,

That TV will need to be restored if you expect it to work for very long. At least capacitor replacement, which is quite involved. Even if it works now, it probably won't for long. I could be wrong but I wouldn't bet on it. The thing with electronics is that capacitors dry out whether they are used or not. The tuner and amplifier need it also but it is more critical in the TV because of the high voltages involved.

If you are really serious about the conversion, MattTech has a very good reputation. I would contact him and maybe set up a time when he could look at it. He will easily be able to fix the record player also.

If it were me, I would restore it as stock. But you are not me. It's your fathers and yours and do what works for you.

Thanks for the plug Greg.
I can certainly get that system up and running as it should, and the OP's idea of a modern tv with it sounds interesting.
Alas, since last summer, my work load has been non-stop... It seems more and more people are interested in getting old radios/stereos/etc restored, and several of my customers have either contracted me to do more than one item, or referred my services to others.
Seriously, when I get one restoration done, (and these take time, quality time) two more come trotting in the door.
It's kinda maddening!.... LOL.

But ya know, it's cool that people want this stuff to last.... and treasure it for its American heritage as well as the overall style and sound it provides.

I used to have a variant of this set (different cabinet).

There are only two connections between the TV set and the stereo:

1. The stereo's power cord plugs into the TV. But it is a standard power cord, and could be used separately. They just provided the outlet on the TV so the console would have only one cord on the outside.

2. The TV output transformer is wired to the speaker in parallel with the stereo output transformer.