The continued benefits of technology...

[DanR]

A few years back, I removed the old 19 inch TV from my shop because it was too big and got in the way. I got used to working in there with just music playing, but I missed the distraction. Lately, I've been enjoying all of the modeling related YouTube videos and started thinking how nice it would be to be able to watch videos that were relevant to specific things that I'm working on. I already had a Chromecast that I wasn't really using, so I started looking for a small TV that could fit on the wall and be out of the way. Costco has a 24 inch Samsung flat screen on sale for $170 and even better, it comes with a wall mount included. Now I can watch some lunatic like Dr. Cranky as he delivers his pearls of wisdom and I don't have to work around a gigantic plastic and glass monolith!

[wayne swayze]

Ain't technology great ?

[Tom Geiger]

It's funny how things change. Many years ago I splurged and bought a 31" TV for the family.  I paid something like $1200 and everyone thought it was amazing.  When I moved to PA 5 years ago, I left that TV behind, gave it to a friend.  It was a huge monster that required two people to pick it up.  We replaced it with a 55" flat screen. A friend coached me to buy the biggest one.  He said, "At first it will seem huge,  but in time it will just be normal."  And he was right.   I was in my model room yesterday and turned on the 13" TV , and immediately thought how small and hard to see it was. In our bedroom we had placed a 24" tube TV we had in the built in wall unit when we moved in.  My wife was complaining it was too small to watch!  I guess we'll be buying a few new flatscreens. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Hmmm. Maybe I'd actually get some model-car-building done if I put my monitor AT the bench, instead of 15 feet away.

Nah, probably not. 

[DanR]

It's funny how things change. Many years ago I splurged and bought a 31" TV for the family.  I paid something like $1200 and everyone thought it was amazing.  When I moved to PA 5 years ago, I left that TV behind, gave it to a friend.  It was a huge monster that required two people to pick it up.  We replaced it with a 55" flat screen. A friend coached me to buy the biggest one.  He said, "At first it will seem huge,  but in time it will just be normal."  And he was right.   I was in my model room yesterday and turned on the 13" TV , and immediately thought how small and hard to see it was. In our bedroom we had placed a 24" tube TV we had in the built in wall unit when we moved in.  My wife was complaining it was too small to watch!  I guess we'll be buying a few new flatscreens. 

Tom, I never thought I'd get caught up in the big TV craze but I want an even bigger one for the family room now. The 24 inch is perfect for the shop. I'm right next to it so it doesn't need to be huge!

[Nytrozilla]

Hey Dan, I'll see your 24" and raise you 32".

But then again, I'm old and need big pictures and loud words for it to sink in.

[charlie8575]

The TV in our living room is about to give after 34 years.

When I was on my own before I moved back home in 2010 when the world went sideways, I bought a nice Emerson 20" stereo TV. Not a pancake TV, but it was the style that had the flat glass panel over the tube. Great picture and very good sound. Wal-Mart special for $99.97. 

I don't know, for whatever reason, I've never been impressed with the pancake TVs, the pictures never seemed quite right to me.

Charlie Larkin

[Junkman]

When I started modelling as a teenager, not only was having a telly in my room unthinkable, but also something that wouldn't have occurred to anybody.
I ordered my models via filling out order forms, which I posted in envelopes with stamps on them, paying for them by postal money order.

20 years later, I at least had a stereo at my workplace, ordered my models by telephone and paid for them with a credit card.

Add another 20 years, and nobody can even imagine, that a life without monitors and mouseclicks was ever possible.

[Agent G]

When I started modelling as a teenager, not only was having a telly in my room unthinkable, but also something that wouldn't have occurred to anybody.
I ordered my models via filling out order forms, which I posted in envelopes with stamps on them, paying for them by postal money order.

20 years later, I at least had a stereo at my workplace, ordered my models by telephone and paid for them with a credit card.

Add another 20 years, and nobody can even imagine, that a life without monitors and mouseclicks was ever possible.

X2

G

[DanR]

Hey Dan, I'll see your 24" and raise you 32".

But then again, I'm old and need big pictures and loud words for it to sink in.

I like your space, Joe! 

[DanR]

When I started modelling as a teenager, not only was having a telly in my room unthinkable, but also something that wouldn't have occurred to anybody.
I ordered my models via filling out order forms, which I posted in envelopes with stamps on them, paying for them by postal money order.

20 years later, I at least had a stereo at my workplace, ordered my models by telephone and paid for them with a credit card.

Add another 20 years, and nobody can even imagine, that a life without monitors and mouseclicks was ever possible.

Christian, at 48, I'm old enough to remember ordering things via stamps and envelopes or by phone calls. The beauty of our lives now is that there is so much out there and it's so much more accessible. That's not a bad thing!

[slusher]

I have a 19 inch in my model room but when i am working all that really matters is the noise. I never look at it while working. Now i do sometimes come in here just to watch a dvd and hang out with the models. Like I told my brother we have come a long way since we was kids. I think about the differences when you look at the old pictures at the furniture and Television in the back ground.. 

[Junkman]

Christian, at 48, I'm old enough to remember ordering things via stamps and envelopes or by phone calls. The beauty of our lives now is that there is so much out there and it's so much more accessible. That's not a bad thing!

Of course it isn't a bad thing. That's why I described how drastically things have improved in my lifetime.
I mean, you now get flatscreens for sub 100 quid! I must get me one of those for my new workplace.
I just love living in the first world.

[DrKerry]

I also like how you make use of all available space, like the outlet as a shelf to hold a Hot Wheel!!!!!!!!

Great idea, some year when I get my dream model room, or something close to it I want to get a flat panel and do the same!!!!!

[lordairgtar]

I was never one to get rid of the old style anything unless it broke down. I had the biggest CRT type TV you could get which was about 42 inches I believe. The GF's daughter wanted a 60 inch flat screen and gave us their two year old 55 inch flat LED TV. Wow, what a difference. The old CRT TV serves as the outdoor kennel for a St. Bernard dog. Remove guts, install wooden floor, place outside. No, I do not own the dog, it's a neighbor's dog.

[Harry P.]

Dr. Cranky would be so happy to know you watch his show!

[DanR]

I also like how you make use of all available space, like the outlet as a shelf to hold a Hot Wheel!!!!!!!!

Great idea, some year when I get my dream model room, or something close to it I want to get a flat panel and do the same!!!!!

It just fit there perfectly! 

[DanR]

I was never one to get rid of the old style anything unless it broke down. I had the biggest CRT type TV you could get which was about 42 inches I believe. The GF's daughter wanted a 60 inch flat screen and gave us their two year old 55 inch flat LED TV. Wow, what a difference. The old CRT TV serves as the outdoor kennel for a St. Bernard dog. Remove guts, install wooden floor, place outside. No, I do not own the dog, it's a neighbor's dog.

Most dumps in the US will also take your old CRT TV and dispose of it for free.

[DanR]

Dr. Cranky would be so happy to know you watch his show!

I like his videos, Harry. He's a good showman!

[khier]

and in 10 years or so we will stop buying model kits. We will by CAD files, print them on our desktop 3D printers and start building.

[Junkman]

and in 10 years or so we will stop buying model kits. We will by CAD files, print them on our desktop 3D printers and start building.

I'm pretty sure this is exactly where we are heading.

[Roadrunner]

I've yet to incorporate the stereo and computer/monitor into my newly designed (but not yet built) hobby benches, but I certainly shall.

[Junkman]

I like his videos, Harry. He's a good showman!

Yeah, about 6 minutes in he usually begins with talking substance.
That's why I start them there.

Edited February 3, 2016 by Junkman

[DanR]

Yeah, about 6 minutes in he usually begins with talking substance.
That's why I start them there.

Ha ha ha, at least he's making the effort!

[DanR]

and in 10 years or so we will stop buying model kits. We will by CAD files, print them on our desktop 3D printers and start building.

I think it may be less than 10 years with the way things are progressing. Very soon, buying an actual kit will be like buying a CD or DVD - something that "old" people do!