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For quite a while, people around the world had been watching black-and-white TV programs.
This was especially true of countries that received channels from only one source, but, when did color TV become affordable?
Since it was something new and exciting, you would wonder if it was too expensive.
There is no doubt this invention changed the world. People no longer had to sit in a dark room and stare at a TV screen that only let them see very little color.
Instead, they could see all of the colors.
It was a huge change and one that most people thought cost too much.
Table of Contents
When was color TV invented?
The invention of color TV goes back to the 1950s.
It was in the early 1950s that there were huge leaps forward in the technology behind these TV sets.
Up until this point, the only TVs available were black and white.
First and foremost, at that time two companies were competing for an opportunity to create the first color TVs in the United States. CBS and RCA both wanted to be the first manufacturers.
However, it was only the CBS system that received a green light from FCC to begin production.
This was due to the quality that CBS was able to provide.
The CBS color system promised to deliver three primary colors, which would then mix to create the other colors that you would find on the screen.
It was also able to send out a picture with at least 120 lines for every frame.
This detail was about three times greater than the most efficient black and white TVs that were available at the time.
That said, many manufacturers were resisting production because the costs were just too high.
Also, the color system was incompatible with the already existing black and white sets.
When did color TV become cheaper to buy?
Interestingly, color TVs were very expensive at first.
In 1953, there were only a few people who were watching black and white television.
For those who could afford expensive color TVs, the TV sets that they used were very different from todayโs TVs.
However, as they became more popular, they became much cheaper.
By the mid-1960s and early 1970s, the cost of a color TV had dropped dramatically.
In fact, by the end of that decade, it was quite common for people to have a color TV in their home completely for about $700.
What was the first color TV show in the United States?
The first color TV show to be released was CBSโs โPremiereโ and It was a variety show that only aired in four cities namely Washington DC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Boston.
It was this show that was the first American program to appear in color.
This show was a huge hit and helped the color system get off to a great start.
It got more attention from the public than any other show at that time had received.
As the popularity continued to grow, more and more companies started releasing their own TV sets and including the RCA Corporation.
They were among the first companies to create color TVs, but they hadnโt been able to start production due to FCC rules.
Once they were given the green light, they started to sell color TVs as well.
When did color TV become common in homes?
The first color TVs were produced and introduced to the public in 1954.
However, the reception was very mixed and many believed that the price was much too high.
This meant that it was going to continue to be a luxury item, which only a few people could afford.
It wasnโt until the early 1960s that people were beginning to take more notice of color TVs in the market.
By this time, RCA had released sets with even better quality than CBSโs sets.
Also, many of their color TVs featured a full 100-inch screen and could produce up to 160 lines of resolution for every frame.
In the 1970s, more Americans started purchasing color TVs as opposed to black and white ones.
By the late 1980s, the majority of households had a color TV.
How much did a color TV cost in 1975?
By 1975, color TV had become much more commonplace.
People who didnโt have them in their homes before were now rushing to get one.
This meant that the price of these TV sets had gone down a great deal.
A person who wanted to purchase a new set in 1975 could buy one for around $500.
This was a lot of money at the time, but it was a lot cheaper than when they first came out.
In fact, by the late 1970s, some TV sets were priced below $200.
You also had several companies that released sets with even better quality that made the investment well worth it.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, color TV became more affordable as it became more popular and cheaper to produce.
This was most likely due to many TV companies lowering the prices of their color TVs in the 1970s.
When you start looking at the prices of color sets today, you realize that they have gone down a bit due to the many new changes in technology.
Today, it isnโt uncommon to have a color TV with a screen that measures all of 50 inches or larger.
There is also no doubt that the new 3D technology has made the price of these sets shoot up again.
FAQs
What does a color TV look like?
A color TV is a lot like any other TV. It has a central area where the display is located, as well as speakers that you can use to hear sound from the shows and movies you are watching.
They also have remotes that allow you to change the channel or adjust the volume if you so choose.
Why are TVs so cheap right now?
TVs are getting cheaper due to being produced in much greater quantities.
The last few years have seen several TV sets being produced in bulk.
Even for people with small budgets, isnโt uncommon to be able to get a good quality TV set that they can watch on.
These days, even the most basic of sets is still capable of providing good quality picture and sound, which means that there is very little need for large TV screens or the latest technology.
