TI99/4 Original Monitor (PHA 4000)

[dailymess]

Approx ten years a coworker hooked me up with a TI99/4 original 13" monitor. I remember him telling me that, I'll never come across another person with one of these.

The original TI99/4 monitor (PHA 4000) is considered rare, because TI only sold them for the first year, as a temporary workaround until they received approval from the FCC for their RF modulator. The console with original monitor went for $1150, and sold very few units the first year because of the high price tag. They contracted Zenith (who just acquired Heath Company) make the original monitors, and throw a TI99/4 label on the front... to match the console.

So I'm beginning to figure out why he told me that I'll never find anyone else with one of these monitors... it's because the one that he gave me has the Heath/Zenith logo, instead of the TI99/4 logo on the front.

Has anyone else ever seen one of these, or have any other information about it?

Mine:
http://www.wordsoverheard.com/EXTERNAL/ebay/zenith/heathzenith.JPG

Compared to the PHA 4000:
http://www.wordsoverheard.com/EXTERNAL/ebay/zenith/ti994.jpg

[carlsson]

Still, I remember TI using that monitor in their advertisments all the way until the end in 1983. A bit strange to advertise a setup if some parts were no longer available.

[dailymess]

Still, I remember TI using that monitor in their advertisments all the way until the end in 1983. A bit strange to advertise a setup if some parts were no longer available.

In January of 1980, the FCC granted TI a waiver on its RF modulator, which failed to pass FCC muster in early 1979 because Texas Instruments did not send the entire unit in to be tested. The waiver allowed the TI-99/4 Home Computer to be sold without the expensive monitor that TI was forced to bundle with it because of the RF modulator troubles.

A year later, TI released the 10" Panasonic made color monitor (http://www.ti99ers.org/timeline/images/pha4100.jpg) (PHA 4100) to replace the 13" Zenith monitor PHA 4000 that was originally released with the 99/4. The Zenith monitor retailed for $450 when sold separately. The new monitor sold for $374.95 at the time of release, and TI raised the price of it to $399.95 in 1982.

[Terry Yager]

Mine is the little 10" one, but I have seen the other one too (once, long ago). It was in a thrift shop, and I didn't buy it caz I thought the price was too high ($50.00, IIRC) <kicking self>. Never seen another one since, so I believe they may be somewhat scarce these days.

--T

[Computer Collector]

I never saw either of them!

[carlsson]

A year later, TI released the 10" Panasonic made color monitor (http://www.ti99ers.org/timeline/images/pha4100.jpg) (PHA 4100)
Aha, I thought they only once had a TI monitor. The next time I go through my magazines, I'll see which type of monitor is featured in various ads.

[Terry Yager]

Never mind, I'm better now. My time-release Prozak should kick-in any minute...

--T

[CP/M User]

Terry Yager wrote:

> Never mind, I'm better now. My time-release Prozak
> should kick-in any minute...

LOL!! :-D

CP/M User.