The big digital television crossover came and went. So what do I do with my spare set? Sure, I subscribe to cable so my wired televisions should have no problem with the conversion (most of mine are recent purchases anyway and are prepared for the conversion), but that's not what I'm referring to. I'm asking what exactly I could now do with the Sony Watchman Model FD-2A that I purchased in 1985 and remains in my closet to this day.It was intended as a way of being able to watch television during high school (and to show how dated the set is, the screen is black and white). It does actually still work, if the purpose of the set is to produce a screen of snow.
Here are some ideas that I could now use the set for:
- As a TV (all I need to do is crack it open and hook up a digital converter, which kind of ruins the portability aspect of the device)
- Target practice
- Paperweight
- Handy object to throw at my oppressors (if I ever have any oppressors)
- Tree ornament
- Abstract art
- Flashlight (if I turn off the sound)
- Fencing practice (the antenna is pretty long)
- Prop replica of a Sony Watchman
- Brick replacement
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-14-2009 @ 9:21AM
Manda said...
Oh gosh. I have an even older portable tv that used to still work. I used to turn it on during storms as I camped out in the bathroom. Can't do that anymore. X_X
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6-14-2009 @ 12:26PM
Brett Alan said...
I assume there are still places where it will work. I wonder if there is any charity that would be interested in old TVs to take to places that still use analog broadcasting, either to give away to locals or for charity workers to use while there. Just a thought.
There still are Low Power stations broadcasting in analog here in the US, but I suppose there aren't too many people looking for ways to receive them.
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6-14-2009 @ 1:54PM
Wii60 said...
get a 30 dollar original xbox, hack it and run xbmc.
Now you have portable xbmc
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6-14-2009 @ 3:13PM
Franklin said...
Ha, I have one of these as well.
I might just keep it as a prop relic of old technology.
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6-14-2009 @ 6:32PM
Sour Bob said...
Well, you could hack a DTV converter box to run on batteries, too, so that you could still use the Watchman without AC power (like when camping for instance).
http://www.instructables.com/id/Digital_TV_Converter_Hack/
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6-14-2009 @ 8:33PM
Liz said...
It´s a lovely paper weight!
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6-15-2009 @ 7:11AM
Daniel said...
Who watches the watchman?
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6-15-2009 @ 12:49PM
StillBash said...
Send it to Michael Winslow. He lives in the past and his act does too so it'll be perfect. And even if it should break he could always "make it work". Or not. ;-)
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6-15-2009 @ 7:28PM
Juan said...
Donate it to a museum so it can be display for all to see how we used to watch TV.
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6-15-2009 @ 11:05PM
tingrin87 said...
wasn't there some provision in some sort of DTV legislation allowing analog transmission during emergencies? or was that nixed? or did i make it up?
Also, are there any reasonably-priced portable TVs (
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6-16-2009 @ 2:38PM
Scott Schrantz said...
Open it up and put an iPod inside.
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