Sony Watchman: Difference between revisions
Fixed a typo Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
Entranced98 (talk | contribs) Adding local short description: "Line of portable televisions", overriding Wikidata description "trademark" |
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{{Short description|Line of portable televisions}} |
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{{multiple issues| |
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{{distinguish|text = the [[Sony SmartWatch]]}} |
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{{lead too short|date=March 2012}} |
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{{unreferenced|date=March 2012}} |
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}} |
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[[File:Sony Sports Watchman - Austin Calhoon Photograph.jpg|thumb|Sony Sports Watchman]] |
[[File:Sony Sports Watchman - Austin Calhoon Photograph.jpg|thumb|Sony Sports Watchman]] |
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[[File:Sony MEGA Watchman - Austin Calhoon Photograph.jpg|thumb|Sony MEGA Watchman]] |
[[File:Sony MEGA Watchman - Austin Calhoon Photograph.jpg|thumb|Sony MEGA Watchman]] |
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| ⚫ | The '''Sony Watchman''' is a line of portable [[Handheld television|pocket televisions]] trademarked and produced by [[Sony]]. The line was introduced in 1982<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sony.co.jp/Fun/design/history/product/1980/fd-200.html|title=Sony Japan {{!}} Sony Design｜History｜1980s|last=|first=|date=|website=www.sony.co.jp|language=ja|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-04-11}}</ref> and discontinued in 2000. |
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Its name came from a portmanteau formed of "Watch" (watching [[television]]) and "man" from Sony's [[Walkman]] personal cassette audio players. There were more than 65 models of the Watchman before its discontinuation. As the models progressed, display size increased and new features were added. Due to the switch to [[digital broadcasting]], most models of the Sony Watchman can no longer be used to receive live television broadcasts without the use of a [[Digital television adapter|digital converter box]]. |
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==FD-210== |
==FD-210== |
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The initial model was introduced in 1982 as the FD-210, which had a |
The initial model was introduced in 1982 as the FD-210, which had a black & white five-[[centimeter]] (2") [[Cathode-ray tube]] display. The device weighed around 650 [[gram]]s (23 oz), with a measurement of 87 x 198 x 33 [[millimeter]]s (3½" x 7¾" x 1¼"). The device was sold in Japan with a price of 54,800 [[yen]]. Roughly two years later, in 1984, the device was introduced to [[Europe]] and [[North America]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://walkmancentral.com/products/fd-210be|title = Fd-210Be}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/sony_watchman_fd210befd_210_b.html|title = Watchman FD210BE Television Sony Corporation; Tokyo, build}}</ref> |
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==Later releases== |
==Later releases== |
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Sony manufactured more than 65 models of the Watchman before its discontinuation in 2000. Upon the release of further models after the FD-210, the display size increased, and new features were introduced. The FD-3, introduced in 1987, had a built-in digital clock. The FD-30, introduced in 1984 had a built-in AM/FM Stereo radio. The FD-40/42/44/45 were among the largest Watchmen, utilizing a 4" CRT display. The FD-40 introduced a single composite A/V input. The FD-45, introduced in 1986, was water-resistant. In 1988/1989, the FDL 330S color Watchman TV/Monitor with LCD display was introduced. In 1990, the FDL-310, a Watchman with a color [[Liquid crystal display|LCD display]] was introduced. The FD-280/285, made from 1990 to 1994, was the last Watchman to use a black and white CRT display. One of the last Watchmen was the FDL-22 introduced in 1998, which featured an ergonomic body which made it easier to hold, and introduced Sony's ''Straptenna'', where the wrist strap served as the antenna. |
Sony manufactured more than 65 models of the Watchman before its discontinuation in 2000. Upon the release of further models after the FD-210, the display size increased, and new features were introduced. The FD-3, introduced in 1987, had a built-in digital clock. The FD-30, introduced in 1984 had a built-in AM/FM Stereo radio. The FD-40/42/44/45 were among the largest Watchmen, utilizing a 4" CRT display. The FD-40 introduced a single composite A/V input. The FD-45, introduced in 1986, was water-resistant. In 1988/1989, the FDL 330S color Watchman TV/Monitor with LCD display was introduced. In 1990, the FDL-310, a Watchman with a color [[Liquid crystal display|LCD display]] was introduced. The FD-280/285, made from 1990 to 1994, was the last Watchman to use a black and white CRT display. One of the last Watchmen was the FDL-22 introduced in 1998, which featured an ergonomic body which made it easier to hold, and introduced Sony's ''Straptenna'', where the wrist strap served as the antenna. |
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==Legacy== |
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Due to the switch of over-the-air television to digital, most models of the Sony Watchman in the US have lost their usefulness, because they now require to be connected to a digital converter box. |
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==Marketing and media== |
==Marketing and media== |
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A model of the Sony Watchman is seen multiple times in the film [[Rain Man]]. |
A model of the Sony Watchman (FD-40A) is seen multiple times in the film ''[[Rain Man]]''. |
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==Gallery== |
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="200px"> |
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File:Sony watchman fd210.jpg|A Sony FD-210 Watchman |
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</gallery> |
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== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{ |
{{Commons category|Sony Watchman}} |
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* [http://uv201.com/TV_Pages/panasonic_tr001.htm Reverse Time Page] |
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* [http://www.guenthoer.de/e-history.htm The Short History of Pocket TV] |
* [http://www.guenthoer.de/e-history.htm The Short History of Pocket TV] |
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* |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131212201648/http://www.visions4.net/journal/time-line/ Vintage Micro Television] |
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{{Sony Walkman}} |
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{{Sony Corp}} |
{{Sony Corp}} |
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[[Category:Mobile technology]] |
[[Category:Mobile technology]] |
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[[Category:Portable electronics]] |
[[Category:Portable electronics]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Products introduced in 1982]] |
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[[Category:Japanese inventions]] |
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Latest revision as of 11:02, 1 June 2024
The Sony Watchman is a line of portable pocket televisions trademarked and produced by Sony. The line was introduced in 1982[1] and discontinued in 2000.
Its name came from a portmanteau formed of "Watch" (watching television) and "man" from Sony's Walkman personal cassette audio players. There were more than 65 models of the Watchman before its discontinuation. As the models progressed, display size increased and new features were added. Due to the switch to digital broadcasting, most models of the Sony Watchman can no longer be used to receive live television broadcasts without the use of a digital converter box.
FD-210
[edit]The initial model was introduced in 1982 as the FD-210, which had a black & white five-centimeter (2") Cathode-ray tube display. The device weighed around 650 grams (23 oz), with a measurement of 87 x 198 x 33 millimeters (3½" x 7¾" x 1¼"). The device was sold in Japan with a price of 54,800 yen. Roughly two years later, in 1984, the device was introduced to Europe and North America.[2][3]
Later releases
[edit]Sony manufactured more than 65 models of the Watchman before its discontinuation in 2000. Upon the release of further models after the FD-210, the display size increased, and new features were introduced. The FD-3, introduced in 1987, had a built-in digital clock. The FD-30, introduced in 1984 had a built-in AM/FM Stereo radio. The FD-40/42/44/45 were among the largest Watchmen, utilizing a 4" CRT display. The FD-40 introduced a single composite A/V input. The FD-45, introduced in 1986, was water-resistant. In 1988/1989, the FDL 330S color Watchman TV/Monitor with LCD display was introduced. In 1990, the FDL-310, a Watchman with a color LCD display was introduced. The FD-280/285, made from 1990 to 1994, was the last Watchman to use a black and white CRT display. One of the last Watchmen was the FDL-22 introduced in 1998, which featured an ergonomic body which made it easier to hold, and introduced Sony's Straptenna, where the wrist strap served as the antenna.
Marketing and media
[edit]A model of the Sony Watchman (FD-40A) is seen multiple times in the film Rain Man.
Gallery
[edit]-
Various models of Sony Watchmen -
A Sony FD-210 Watchman -
Sony FD-10 Pocket Watchman
.jpg)
References
[edit]- ^ "Sony Japan | Sony Design｜History｜1980s". www.sony.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-04-11.
- ^ "Fd-210Be".
- ^ "Watchman FD210BE Television Sony Corporation; Tokyo, build".
External links
[edit]