Hi everyone,

I've recently purchased this lovely HMV (Model F1-02) television in full working order. Unfortunately we no longer have analogue broadcasts so I'm looking to connect a small DVD/Video player via the aerial to view black and white programmes.

The exterior is in extremely good condition for its age with only a few minor surface scratches. Inside the unit is also extremely clean (aside from the usual amount of dust!). It was last serviced in 1975 according to a service sticker on the back of the unit.

I’m looking to find the correct style power plug to fit the back of the unit as the original one is missing. There are three pins in an ‘L’ shape configuration (see photo) on the back of the unit which are designed to take a power cord. It seems to be a setup unique to this unit as I can’t find any information on the internet about it. Perhaps I need to have the power cord hard wired to the board?

The tuning dial does not show 5A and I’m told that this is one way of discerning early TV units from later ones. Am I correct in saying that this would be 1957-1958 vintage?

Also, any leads for a copy of the owner’s and service manuals would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

RadioDaze

Channel 5A was first allocated in 1963 so this set would have been made before that year.

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A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

Your age estimate is correct, the F1 models date from around mid 1957 as far as I can determine. It is fortunate that your TV is working well as most sets from this era normally require some electronic restoration.

Finding an original power cord will be quite a challenge. Most people will have no idea what the original cord looks like so most spares will have been thrown away. You may have to do a safe and neat but preferably reversable modification and fit a modern cord. If by some chance you can obtain an original you can then revert back to the original setup.

I may be able to help with a scan of the service manaul but not with a owner's manual. Email me if interested (details on my profile page).

Do you mind if I add the pictures of your TV to my image library to be used as a reference image for this model? Good pictures of HMV TV's are hard to find and I'm preparing information to do a model gallery of HMV TV's in the future.

Hi radio daze, yes I have a few different types of the f1s and also some original plugs I will upload a pik on the weekend for you so you know what you are looking for andif I have a spare will send it to you will let you know.
TV collector did you get my email? Cheers

Hi TV Collector & Blingbling81,

Thanks for your replies. Glad to know that it's around 1957 as I wanted to find a very early television. Being HMV brand is a bonus as it goes with the console radios and gramophone that we have.

By the way, this unit also has a swivel base and can be rotated 360 degrees.

Yes, please feel free to use the images. Once the unit has been properly cleaned and detailed, I can send you some more. I'll email you both regarding the service manual and power plug shortly.

Cheers!

RadioDaze

I have, on a couple of vintage radio sets, disconnected the plug from within for safety and run in supply from a fixed cable.

That gets the thing operational and one can worry about reversing the situation, should a proper, serviceable plug materialise.

Marc

Blingbling - I didn't get your email.

RadioDaze - I've emailed you some info about the TV.

Hi Radiodaze, you wont believe this but I just hapenned to look at your post while getting aquainted with this website, and I have a spare cord of exactly the one you need . I kept it years ago when cannibalisin a second F5 model for parts. I was about to chuck it budont like getting rid of rare things however obscure, so I'm glad to find someone who can use it. I'm happy to send it to you.Email me.

Regarding connecting a dvd or vcr you need either one with a modulated output or use a modulator. both options are messier than need be. It is possible to connect a composite input to the grid of the video amplifier valve. This however gives poor contrast as the voltage level is inadequate. This can be overcome by constructing a simple supplementary video amplifer circuit. Such a circuit can be found here www.cfp-radio.com click on realisations scroll down to the TV section and then Préamplificateur vidéo
pour anciens téléviseurs monochromes

I built this, and it gave a beautiful crisp clear picture and I can now connect the set to any device with composite output. The sound is easily done by connecting to the audio amplifier. Incidentally the F5 has magnificent sound .

But its all gone to pot now as my deflection yoke is faulty

Hi Stumatoo,

Thanks for your post. Yes, I'm interested in the power cord. Can you send me an email? My details should be on my profile.

You're right - one thing I've learnt when restoring anything is never throw out leftover salvage parts that have been collected. You never know when they'll come in handy.

Cheers!

RadioDaze

My details should be on my profile.

Email addresses are hidden by default on this website. Use Control Panel to unhide.

My grandparents had a very similar set in the 1960s. I don't recall it having legs -- I think it was a full console set on castors -- but I do vividly recall those knobs and the central flip down cover for the other controls.

Thanks GTC,

Email address should now be visible.

Yes, this set also has a swivel base and can rotate a full 360 degrees.

RadioDaze.

When I restored my Phililps TR826 I built an RF modulator which allowed me to connect the TV to a Digital set top box with the aspect ratio set to 4:3. So the TV is tuned in to Channel 1 VHF but receives all the digital viewing via the set top box with the remote control to change channels. This great for when old B/W movies run..

Hi everyone,

I'm hearing a lot about the modulator required to connect a DVD player to these old TV sets. Is this required where only component connections (red, yellow and white) are available? We had a 1978 Rank Arena to which we connected a video player via coaxial and it worked fine. (Wish we still had this set, it was great until smoke poured from it one evening - in 30 years of service we only ever had to replace a power transistor because the unit kept shutting itself off after a short period of running) We then connected a DVD player to the video player via it's component input (as the DVD player had no coaxial output) and again, this worked fine.

I won't be viewing digital TV through this set so will an RF modulator from Jaycar do the job?

Thanks,

RadioDaze

The RF modulators from Jaycar can be quite expensive - from memory, around $40 for a Mono audio one, and $70 for a Stereo audio one. I bought a nice stereo modulator from Dick Smith though, for around $30, for use with my 1979 Rank Arena! It's a DSE L-1507, takes composite (RCA) and SCART input and outputs onto the UHF band via 75Ω coaxial.

Chris

Hi everyone,

Thanks to the generosity of Stumatoo, I now have a genuine power cord for my HMV TV and it is up and running! I also purhcased an RF modulator from Jaycar to connect a DVD player but unfortunately I can't get a signal from the unit. The RF modulator channels range from 21 to 69 and I have a feeling this is too high for the HMV TV. I also tried a VCR with a built in modulator but again, no results. Is there something else I need to do? I know that I need to get the channel on the VCR/DVD to match the TV but not sure how to do this. Any suggestions/tips would be great!

Cheers,

RadioDaze.