Gizmodo: zenith

Phonevision: The Death of Physical Media Started in 1951

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT

A recently dug-up Time Magazine article from 1951 applauds Zenith's "Phonevision," a way-ahead-of-its-time invention that allowed movies ordered over the phone to be watched on a set-top box, no physical media required.

Phonevision wasn't exactly a home theater PC or a Roku box, and actually had more in common with something like Pay Per View: It had three scheduled showings each evening, and you called and ordered one of the few options offered at a cost of one dollar per film. The set-top box would unscramble the picture and allow the movie to be watched on your TV. It was also limited to about 300 test subjects in the Chicago area, but they apparently loved it and Zenith was very excited about the prospects of moving "the theater into the living room." But what, you might ask, were the choices on this very early service?

The 300 Phonevision subscribers had an initial choice of April Showers, a 1948 musical starring Jack Carson; Welcome Stranger, a 1947 Bing Crosby comedy, and 1948's Homecoming, with Clark Gable and Lana Turner.

Interestingly, while the industry called Phonevision a "massive flop," Zenith president Eugene F. Macdonald loved it and considered it a rousing success, though it never penetrated very many markets and was officially cancelled in 1969. [Time, image from Early Television]

What Went Wrong With the First TV Remotes

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Zenith pioneered the TV remote control, but those early models were more drag than advantage. Electronic House has a full walk down remote-control memory lane, but first, here's a quick Retromodo look at Zenith's first three creative attempts—and what was tragically wrong with them:

Lazy Bones (1950) - According to Electronic House, it was the world's first commercially available TV remote control. It could only flip through channels by triggering a motorized knob. Needless to say, its secondary skill as a tripwire caused problems in the living room.

Flash-Matic (1955) - Billed as "absolutely harmless to humans," this focused flashlight could be aimed at one of four light sensors on the TV itself, in order to turn TV on or off, change channel or adjust volume. But like Gyration mice and other gestural devices of today, it was a challenge because people forgot where and how to point the thing to activate each function. Also, sunlight really played havoc with the sensors.

Space Command (1956) - A much better system than Flash-Matic and as comfortable as a pack of Benson & Hedges in the hand, the Space Command used ultrasound—ingeniously generated without batteries by plungers hitting aluminum tuning forks—to change channel, turn TV on or off, and adjust volume. It did have one problem, though: Some dogs couldn't stand the noise.

Check out EH's "A History of TV Remote Controls" for the full story. [Electronic House]

Zero-G Defy Xtreme Stealth Watch Had Better Get You Noticed

Mark Wilson — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 11:20:06 EST

The Zero-G Defy Xtreme Stealth by elite watchmaker Zenith is one of the most lust-worthy timepieces we've seen in recent history. Modeled after the famous Stealth Bomber, this blackened titanium watch (utilizing a PVD coating process) is specially crafted to keep time without extreme gravity throwing off your appointments. Featuring a titanium strap with Kevlar inserts, hop out of your matching stealth jet, go for a dive down to 1,000 feet and stop a bullet with your wrist—all for what looks to be an increasingly reasonable $500,000. [zenith via coolhunting]

LG's Zenith DTT900 Converter Competes with RCA for Grandma's $40 Coupon

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 10:21:01 EST

Last night we showed you the finished look of the RCA DTA800, one of the "digital switchover" converter boxes your stubborn granny can buy early next year with her $40 coupon from the government, in lieu of getting a new goddamn TV. The CES folks have praised the other box too, a Zenith-branded DTT900 digital-to-analog converter box made and marketed by LG. Anyone who thinks we're being a little reductive take note of the old-people branding. RCA? Zenith? Where's the Philips-made Magnavox converter? That would complete the trio. [CES]

Zenith Clamshell Land-Line Phone

Travis Hudson — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 16:22:43 EST

The BT Zenith phone is for all of the people that want the coolness of a cell phone without the messy contract or hassle. It looks like a traditional clamshell cellphone and even has similar features. It answers calls with a flip-open, has caller ID on the outer LCD, can store contacts and even supports polyphonic ring tones. This phone retails for roughly $172. You will be faux cool in no time.

BT Zenith Flippy Home Phone [ShinyShiny]