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Part 1: The Stone Age - First Generation LCD (1983 - 1986)
Unless otherwise stated, these TVs have black and white pictures

 

CITIZEN 06TACASIO TV-20CASIO TV-60CASIO TV-300

(from the left to the right, click to enlarge)

CITIZEN 06TA: One of the most common Handheld-TVs with a "Solar Projection System" - A mirror reflects the picture from the LCD for viewing. Shown with and without the optional backlight-unit 92TA. 65 mm passive matrix LCD (European versions: 130 * 160 = 20,800 dots, US version: 146 * 160 = 23,360 dots), 190 grams with 4 AAA-size batteries. Made in Japan 1986.
By the way, the 06TA has a less well-known big brother, the CITIZEN 08TA: impressive 85 mm screen size, AM/FM-stereo radio, A/V-input jack, 280 g with 4 AAA-size batteries.

CASIO TV-20: Most likely the first LCD-TV on the European market around 1984. Automatic or manual tuning, foldable backlight-unit / battery-case. 65 mm screen size, 375 g with 4 AA-size batteries. Made in Japan.

CASIO TV-60: The smallest TV/radio combination ever? Keeps you in the know while you're on the go and Be an eyewitness to important events. Needs an earphone for listening and as antenna. AM/FM radio, 30 by 40 mm screen size, Solar-Projection-Screen, 210 g with 2 AA-size batteries. Made in Japan.

CASIO TV-300: One of the smallest Color-TVs ever made, but not "complete" - you need an earphone for listening. Optional backlight-unit ($29.95). Click here for a view inside. 50 mm screen size,210 g with 2 AA-size batteries. Made in Japan.

 

CASIO TV-10CASIO TV-21CASIO TV-1000SANYEI Trident

CASIO TV-10: According to this CASIO webpage, the TV-10 was the first LCD TV ever - a real collector's item. Many nice details: Metal front, slide rule dial, switchable backlight, retractable and double-collapsible rod antenna and a smart adjustable stand. Regarding the use in public transport the manual recommends to use the wire antenna instead of the dangerous telescoping antenna in order not to endanger the safety of the other passengers :-) 67 mm screen size, 350 g with 3 AA-size batteries. Suggested retail price: $299. Click here for a comprehensive review. Made in Japan 1983.

CASIO TV-21 (alias Realistic Pocketvision 2): Just like the CITIZEN 06TA quite common - but only the black ones. Needs an earphone for listening and as antenna. Solar-Projection-Screen with an optional backlight-unit. Case 117 * 62 * 21 mm, 170 g with 2 AA-size batteries. Made in Japan 1985.

CASIO TV-1000 (alias Realistic Pocketvision 20): According to this CASIO webpage, the TV-1000 was the first Color-TV made by CASIO. Announced in May 1985, one year after the Epson ET-10. The details: 64 mm screen size, case 161 * 83 * 36 mm, 450 g with 5 AA-size batteries. Made in Japan.

SANYEI Trident P-1010 TV: Possibly one of the smallest Radio-TV-Tape-Recorder combination ever. Stereo AM/FM radio, Cassette Recorder with built-in microphone, passive-matrix LC-Display (63 mm screen size), front slide rule dial. Case 227 * 90 * 48 mm, 570 g with 4 AA-size batteries. Made in Japan.

 

CASIO TV-50CASIO TV-70CITIZEN TB20 (18TA)CITIZEN Bookvision

CASIO TV-50: Only available in Japan, but definitely a very interesting little set. Solar-Projection-Screen with a huge mirror and an integrated (!) backlight-unit. Click on the picture to see (the half-opened) sliding shutter to switch the backlight-unit on and off. Stereo AM/FM radio, antenna input jack (2,5 mm), 510 g with 4 AA-size batteries. Made in Japan.

CASIO TV-70: Rare, very rare, extremely rare! The CASIO TV-70 was one of my "most wanted" sets for many years. Fortunately, I finally found one. This elegant item is the thinnest (only 13 mm) and lightest Televison in my collection. The 2-inch black and white display (15,290 pixels) suffers from a very low contrast, but collectors don't pay attention to those insignificant details :-). Needs an earphone for listening whose cord also acts as an antenna. Retail price in 1986: $130. Case 125 * 67 * 13 mm, Solar-Projection-Screen, only 135 g with 3 AAA-size batteries. Made in Japan

CITIZEN TB20 (10TA): Stick-em up! Possibly the very first hangable TV. Huge 3,5 inch display (23,360 pixels), built-in handle/stand. Also available for French SECAM L television standard as CITIZEN TB20-0F. Case 215 * 115 * 31 mm, 700 g with 4 C-size batteries. Made in Japan

CITIZEN Bookvision (05TA): In June 1985 CITIZEN announced the 05TA, better known as Bookvision. Unfortunately I don't have the nice carrying-case which usually comes with this quite rare set. He controls are located on the front & right side, slide rule dial on front, top telescoping antenna. 68 mm Color-display (35,200 pixels), foldable backlight-unit, A/V-input jack, 480 grams with 5 AA-size batteries. Made in Japan.



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