The static on old CRT TVs with rabbit ears was the cosmic microwave background. No one in the last 25 years has ever seen it.

You are viewing a single thread.
View all comments
111 points

CRTs was in use well into the 2000s

permalink
report
reply
46 points

Even before the 2000s they started showing a blue screen instead of static.

That wasn’t just a digital or flat panel thing.

But of course old sets were around for a long time.

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

What are they hiding from us?!

permalink
report
parent
reply
17 points

My memory of the exacts here are fuzzy, but I think this depended on whether or not your TV picked up digital signal, analog, or both. I remember around that time we had a TV that would pick up static on some channels and have a blue input screen on others.

permalink
report
parent
reply
13 points

It’s definitelly an analog over the air TV thing.

The way digital works you would either get a “No signal” indicator (because the circuitry detects the signal to noise ratio is too low) or squarish artifacts (because of the way the compression algorithms for digital video are designed).

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

I’m talking long before digital channels existed. (In the US anyway)

permalink
report
parent
reply
5 points

I remember back in the Wii days when I was young we had a flat screen that would go to the digital pattern with no input. However sometimes once in a while it would get that static loud no signal so I think mine had both

I don’t really have a point here just wanted to share

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

Yeah, for instance the semi-ubiquitous “small TV with a vhs player built in” that was in a ton of mini-vans and kids’ rooms well into the early 2000s only supported analog cable/antenna signals, so it would give the black and white static when there was no signal.

permalink
report
parent
reply
15 points

Yeah I was still using a CRT as recently as 2012. I think OP means analogue TVs.

permalink
report
parent
reply
3 points

Yeah you’re right.

permalink
report
parent
reply
10 points

Technically, it’s not about the display technology, but instead about the signal/tuner. More specifically if it’s analog or digital. Some modern TVs still have analog or hybrid tuners for backwards compatibility and regions that still use analog, so they can display static. For instance, in Ukraine we finished the switch to digital TV only a couple of years ago. If your TV had no digital tuner (as was the case for many) you had to buy a DAC box. Retirees/pensioners got them for free, sponsored by the government.

permalink
report
parent
reply
9 points

Yeah, my youngest sibling has definitely seen CRTs. My niblings probably haven’t, though.

permalink
report
parent
reply
5 points

I thought they were teaching it in all the schools? /s

permalink
report
parent
reply

Showerthoughts

!showerthoughts@lemmy.world

Create post

A “Showerthought” is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you’re doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    • 3.1) NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    • 3.2) Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    • 3.3) Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy’s Code of Conduct

Community stats

  • 5.9K

    Monthly active users

  • 1.2K

    Posts

  • 18K

    Comments