The Holy Grail of CRTs: Rescuing a Massive 43-Inch Sony Trinitron
A retro gaming enthusiast, Shank Mods, recently acquired what’s considered the holy grail of Large Crt Televisions: a Sony Trinitron KX-45ED1, also known as the PVM-4300. This incredibly rare 43-inch CRT TV, believed to be the largest ever sold to consumers, was saved from demolition in an Osaka noodle shop and shipped to the US. This behemoth boasts a 45-inch tube and a visible diagonal of 43 inches.
Why Are Large CRT Televisions So Rare?
Large CRT televisions like the KX-45ED1 are exceedingly rare due to two primary factors: weight and cost. As the size of the CRT tube increases, the weight of the television grows exponentially. A typical 27-inch CRT TV might weigh around 110 pounds, but a 36-inch model could easily double that. The Sony PVM-4300 weighs over 440 pounds, plus a 170-pound stand necessary to support its massive size and prevent damage to furniture. Buyers were even warned to ensure their floors could handle the weight!
What Happened to the World
The prohibitive cost was another reason for its rarity. In 1989, the PVM-4300’s price tag was a staggering $40,000, equivalent to approximately $100,000 today. This exorbitant price, combined with the logistical challenges of owning such a large and heavy TV, likely resulted in very few units being sold, particularly in the US.
The Rescue Mission for a Giant CRT TV
The discovery of this particular large CRT television began with a tip from a friend about a Japanese restaurant in Osaka housing a PVM-4300. The restaurant, Chikuma Soba, a 300-year-old establishment, was slated for demolition. With time running out, Shank Mods connected with a Twitter user named Abebe, who confirmed the TV’s existence just days before the demolition.
The removal, packing, and shipping of this colossal CRT was a monumental undertaking, requiring significant resources and effort. The cost of shipping alone was comparable to buying a used car.
Bringing the Large CRT Television Back to Life
Upon arrival, the PVM-4300 powered on without issue, successfully running a GameCube game and confirming its lag-free performance, a hallmark of CRT technology. Shank Mods expressed his gratitude to those who assisted in the rescue by gifting them 3D-printed replicas of the iconic TV. He even interviewed the owner of Chikuma Soba to learn more about the TV’s history.
However, the large CRT television required extensive servicing. The color alignment needed adjustment, and a service manual was crucial to address issues like tube ‘cataracts’ and a faulty dynamic convergence amplifier. With the help of fellow CRT enthusiasts, Shank Mods meticulously restored the PVM-4300 to its former glory.
A Legacy Preserved: The Giant Among CRTs
The Sony Trinitron KX-45ED1 stands as a testament to the bygone era of CRT technology. This massive display, a rarity in its time and even more so today, has been meticulously rescued and restored. Shank Mods intends to share this piece of television history with the CRT community, allowing others to experience the unique qualities of this large CRT television. The PVM-4300 is not just a TV; it’s a time capsule, a reminder of the engineering marvels that paved the way for modern display technology.
