predicta retro televisions get a modern update

September 3rd, 2007 comments (1) stumble it! digg it! by: technabob

Back in the late 1950s Philco made a series of bubbly televisions under the Predicta brand name. The sets have been collector’s items for many years, but require lots of TLC due to their aging electronics and scare parts. Now you can own a modernized version of the Predicta for that retro design with none of the headaches that come with old equipment.

Telstar purchased the rights to recreate the original Predicta case designs, but has updated them to use modern electronics and color picture tubes. While they certainly won’t beat out a brand new flat panel HDTV in the image quality department, they’re at least able to connect to modern devices like cable boxes, DVD players and video game consoles.

The revamped Predictas are lovingly built using modern plastics and electronics, using the original set designs as a point of reference. These aren’t restored old TVs, they’re brand new, and made from pristine parts. They’re not inexpensive by today’s standards, with prices starting around $1399 for the Princess model shown above (18-inch diagonal version). Telstar is making a variety of models, some of which are brand new designs inspired by the original Philco style, and others which are replicas of the original designs.

If you’re looking to create a truly retro look in your living room, you’ve got to head over to Telstar’s Predicta website and check out all the styles.

[via stylehive]

filed under:  design home entertainment retro

September 3rd, 2007 comments (1): stumble it! digg it! by: technabob