FADA 880 Projection and DVD info

[Dave A]

Thought you might like to see this recently restored FADA 880 (by Chuck A). It is a RCA 630 chassis with Jones connectors to a Norelco Protelgram projection unit. The interior photo follows.

When it died, the sweep protection circuit failed and the one horizontal line of sweep carved a line in the 3NP4 phosphor like a laser before I could turn it off. Repairs and a new tube have brought it back. Like all 630 sets, it is sensitive to signal input and hard to set, but when warmed up, the focus is striking. Scan lines are easily seen on the screen. And as a bonus, the plastic screen changes from a blue-white to a brown-white as electrical focus is set That is a separate lesson in optical physics and screen plastic discoloration.

Mechanical focus is a bear, and during transport to my house, it slipped. That is where the DVD player on top comes in (the VHS is to pass the DVD video to the tuner. These cheap DVD's have no RF output). Only $39 this week at Best Buy. These new players can play JPG, etc. also. A simple CD copy of an Indian Head played on the DVD got the test pattern on the screen and a few adjustments later, I was back in business with full mechanical focus.

And a last note on DVD's. Check your local Dollar Store for $1 copies of many old TV shows. That is where I bought the "Wagon Train" episodes among about 15 others. They may not be great copies, but they are fine for these beasts and so much more stable. And a good way to recycle old VHS players.

Dave A

[Dave A]

Looking inside the 880 with the 630 chassis lowered and the Protelgram unit in the base. You can remove the front speaker grille from inside and have access to the bottom of the chassis from the front with it in place and standing up.

[Tony V]

Nice set Dave!
It looks right at home playing and episode of Wagon Train. The picture sure is clear and crisp. I hope to own at least one projection model eventually. Thanks for posting the Fada!
-Tony