Console television

Console television set

A Console Television is a type of CRT television most popular in, but not exclusive to, the United States of America. Console CRT televisions are distinguished from standard CRT televisions by their factory-built, non-removable, wooden cabinets and speakers, which form an integral part of the television's design.

Features

Some models included a feature whereby the viewer/operator could answer the telephone, by pressing a specific button on the remote control, and could then proceed to engage in a telephone conversation by means of a speakerphone built into the cabinet of the television, thus eliminating the need to use a traditional telephone receiver.

Cabinets

Console televisions were originally accommodated in approximately rectangular radiogram style cabinets and included radio and record player facilities. However from approximately the mid-1970s onwards, as radiograms decreased and Hi-fi equipment increased in popularity, console televisions became more cuboid in shape and contained most commonly television, and radio receiving features, and less commonly the addition of an eight track player.

Manufacturers

Companies that made these types of television included Zenith, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, and Sylvania.

References