Black and white televisions

[vicious_sid]

An elderly couple who I care for have always had a b&w TV, unfortunately their TV has "died" and have asked me to get them another one - I've explained that it's highly unlikely that I'll be able to get another one and suggested a colour TV but adjusting colour etc so that they get a black and white pic, unfortunately they ave declined this choice, SO I NEED HELP.

Does anyone have any ideas (except ebay etc)

[Roy262]

As they have stopped making Black and white TVs i doubt you will get one new.
You could go to a specialist shop like the one below but i bet you will pay an arm and a leg..
I would put an advertisement in the papers asking for an old B/w tv for an old couple.
I bet there's loads out there just people don't want to throw them away...

http://harryposter.com/vintagetelevision.htm

[pug100]

Hi,
Not seen a full size monochrome tv in a quite a few years, only those small portable ones for caravans with a 5" screen. Not something I'd want to watch long term..Think that most have now been superceded with colour lcd screens.
You may be able to pick up a second hand one somewhere local.

Alternatively you could try a mono CCTV monitor combined with an external receiver but you'd need to make sure the connections on the back are compatible - probably won't have Scart sockets or loudspeakers so you'd need an amplifier and speaker(s)

Monitor example here and only 9" screen

http://www.thomann.de/gb/eneo_monitor_9_s_w.ht m?partner_id=82764


Seems a lot of hassle and extra expense to provide a mono picture.

[annie0000]

Are they concerned about the cost of the licence?

[vicious_sid]

annie0000
No thats not an issue, they just prefer b&w

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

The only reason I can think of why people would want a B&W TV is because the licence is so much cheaper. (�45.50 instead of �135.50). You've not said how old the couple are but it's worth pointing out that if either of them is 75 or over, they shouldn't be paying for a licence anyway:
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/agedo ver74s.jsp

Before considering where you can buy a B&W TV, I'll mention the problems created by the changeover to digital TV. The current licensing position is that anyone who uses, say, a video recorder with a B&W TV must hold a colour TV licence (even though they only watch a black and white picture) because the tuner in the video recorder is capable of receiving colour signals. The couple will soon need a Freeview box, to use with their TV, in order to be able to receive any TV signals. Since the tuner in the Freeview box can handle colour signals, it's likely that the combination of a Freeview box and a B&W TV will require a colour licence even though the picture is only black & white.

[Buenchico]

That brings me to another problem. I've never seen a B&W TV with a Scart socket. That means that, when the changeover to digital occurs, the couple will either have to seek out a Freeview box with an integrated 'RF modulator' (hard to find and much dearer than an ordinary Freeview box, starting from around �60) or buy a stand-alone modulator (about �30).

The only new B&W TVs currently available seem to be the small ones designed for use in caravans etc. For example, this one has a 9" screen:
http://www.barnstapletelecom.co.uk/prodDetail. php?p=1610104
(That TV has an AV input so it would be possible to connect an ordinary Freeview box by using a 'Scart-toTV' lead, but that would mean losing one side of the stereo signal. However, that TV is much dearer than a colour portable, complete with Scart socket, from somewhere like Asda).

Otherwise, it might be worth phoning your nearest British Heart Foundation shops that specialise in furniture and electricals. All of their TVs are tested and come with a short warranty. You can find the nearest branch here:
http://preview.multimap.com/clients/places.cgi ?client=heart

Chris

[annie0000]

What about this one?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GRUNDIG-P1221-GB-TELEVIS ION-TV-BLACK-WHITE-1981-PROP_W0QQitemZ19019988 6420QQihZ009QQcategoryZ3320QQssPageNameZWDVWQQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[vicious_sid]

Many thanks annie0000 that'll do nicely