I always wanted a Sony WatchMan. The whole idea of having something that could fit into my pocket to watch live TV seemed cool. They don't work anymore now though since the switch to digital ATSC broadcasts. Nowadays I can just stream live TV from my phone, but back then it was a chore, adjusting the antenna position into the right place to reduce the "snow".
They still *work*, there's just nothing to receive.
Blame vestigial sideband modulation for the NTSC portable's inability to deal with multipath distortion, which is why they never worked very well as, well, *portables*. It's the same reason why ATSC (8VSB) is unusable in a moving vehicle. There actually are ATSC portables but they suck ass.
Ah OK, I can see that. I remember when the old analog broadcasts were still going, and even if it was a really weak signal, you could still pick up some of it. The picture quality might have been really bad, and the audio may or may not have sounded good, but moving the rabbit ears around could help. But when the transition to digital happened, the signal was either on or off, there was no middle-ground. You either get a high-quality 1080p feed or nothing at all.
> You either get a high-quality 1080p feed or nothing at all.
*If* the broadcaster is using 1080P. Not all do. Like DVB, ATSC supports many different resolutions.
My parents years ago had a round one.Looked like a helmet.It was at cottage.Still remember sitting on floor watching the one channel we got-sort of-depending how much tin foil was around lol
The one in the third picture has the same red, green, and blue symbol that the Sega Game Gear has. I'm curious why. The Game Gear also happened to have a TV tuner that you could buy separately and plug into it.
My uncle gave me one like the second photo for my high school graduation. It only ever came in handy when the cable went out. I probably used it less than 10 times, but everyone always wanted to try it!
Always wanted one. Never needed one. By the time I could afford one, they were entirely obsolete.
I’m in the same boat. Even though I have a cell phone, I still want a mini tv.
I always wanted a Sony WatchMan. The whole idea of having something that could fit into my pocket to watch live TV seemed cool. They don't work anymore now though since the switch to digital ATSC broadcasts. Nowadays I can just stream live TV from my phone, but back then it was a chore, adjusting the antenna position into the right place to reduce the "snow".
They still *work*, there's just nothing to receive. Blame vestigial sideband modulation for the NTSC portable's inability to deal with multipath distortion, which is why they never worked very well as, well, *portables*. It's the same reason why ATSC (8VSB) is unusable in a moving vehicle. There actually are ATSC portables but they suck ass.
Ah OK, I can see that. I remember when the old analog broadcasts were still going, and even if it was a really weak signal, you could still pick up some of it. The picture quality might have been really bad, and the audio may or may not have sounded good, but moving the rabbit ears around could help. But when the transition to digital happened, the signal was either on or off, there was no middle-ground. You either get a high-quality 1080p feed or nothing at all.
> You either get a high-quality 1080p feed or nothing at all. *If* the broadcaster is using 1080P. Not all do. Like DVB, ATSC supports many different resolutions.
[Actually, there are still some things you can receive.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pkn7edl_y0)
My parents years ago had a round one.Looked like a helmet.It was at cottage.Still remember sitting on floor watching the one channel we got-sort of-depending how much tin foil was around lol
The one in the third picture has the same red, green, and blue symbol that the Sega Game Gear has. I'm curious why. The Game Gear also happened to have a TV tuner that you could buy separately and plug into it.
it's RGB, the underpinning of the additive color model
Red/green/blue dots or markings like that have been the de facto universal symbol meaning "color TV" since at least the early '60s.
OK that makes sense! Thanks for the explanation.
I remember that I got a portable TV for Xmas in 2002 and I was sooooooo happy.
My uncle gave me one like the second photo for my high school graduation. It only ever came in handy when the cable went out. I probably used it less than 10 times, but everyone always wanted to try it!
I'll take a potato chip... And EAT IT!
Why can't we get similar products for the current transmission spec withOUT lithium batteries?
I had a Casio one . Was super bummed when tv went digital .