Finds 1999: Pocket-Sized Time Machine - Meet the Hitachi 5-Inch Mini CRT TV -

The Hitachi Miniatic CRT

When I first laid eyes on this little Hitachi television, I was struck by its compact form factor and the charm that only analog electronics can evoke. Though the exact year and model remain uncertain, its scale, styling, and control layout suggest it belongs to the line of 5-inch portable color CRTs that Hitachi offered in the late 1970s–1980s era. (It’s unlikely to be from 1999 as your caption suggested, since by then CRT mini-TVs were largely obsolete.)

Let’s walk through what we can deduce, what makes it interesting, and how it fits into the broader story of portable TVs.

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What We Can Infer from the Design & Controls

From the photograph:

• The front panel includes toggle or slide switches for Power (On/Off) and CH Recall.

• There is a vertical volume slider labeled “VOL 0–10.”

• A panel of pushbuttons labeled “Search,” “V•H/P,” etc., suggests scanning or tuning control and possibly VHF/UHF band switching.

• The speaker is integrated on the right side, and there’s an EAR/REC jack (likely a headphone or recording pass-through).

• The case design, metal faceplate border, and minimalist button arrangement align well with mid-1970s to early 1980s styling.

These features line up closely with models such as the Hitachi CK-200 5-inch portable color TV, which is documented online. jackbergsales.com That model was marketed as an “AC / DC Ultra Portable Color Television” and appears in vintage electronics listings. jackbergsales.com+1

Some secondary online sources list the CK-200 (or variants) in “5-inch portable TV” categories, often as units tested and working. Etsy+3eBay+3MicroscopeTelescope+3

Also, there is a YouTube demo titled “The Hitachi CK-200 Portable TV: Like Netflix in 1983!” which shows a working model of what may be the same basic design family. YouTube That gives credence to the idea that your unit might be from that same lineage or era.

Given that, it's reasonable to treat your piece as part of that small-CRT portable TV tradition.

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Historical & Technical Context: Portable CRT TVs

Origins & Purpose

In the 1960s through 1980s, portable CRT televisions were a niche but beloved category. They were small enough to be carried or placed in tight spaces (e.g., kitchens, bedside tables, dorm rooms). Some ran on mains (AC), battery (DC), or both (AC/DC), making them more versatile for travel or temporary use. Many were marketed for use while traveling, as secondary TVs, for children’s rooms, or as companion sets in RVs, boats, etc.

By the 1980s, Japan and other electronics manufacturers produced several lines of “mini televisions,” with screen sizes ranging from 2- or 3-inch black & white up to 5- or 7-inch color units. The classic Japanese “watchman / mini TV” culture is a close analog example (e.g. Sony’s Watchman line). Wikipedia

However, by the 1990s, these small CRT TVs had become economically uncompetitive compared to larger sets or emerging flat panels. The cost of manufacturing small CRTs, along with shrinking demand, made them a rarity.

Technical Challenges & Design

Fitting a full CRT color television system into a very small form posed several engineering challenges:

• Deflection coils & magnetic shielding: The smaller the CRT, the tighter tolerances for deflection and convergence. Designers needed to control distortion and provide good image geometry even on a tiny tube.

• Power supply & compactness: The high voltages required by CRTs (for electron beam acceleration, focus, etc.) had to be generated in a small chassis from relatively low input voltages.

• Heat, isolation & durability: In a compact case, thermal management and electrical insulation become trickier.

• Tuning & scan circuits: Compact circuitry and minimal user controls were necessary to keep costs low while offering usable features (band switching, scan/search buttons, etc.).

Many of these miniature sets didn’t include elaborate features; simplicity was the norm—basic scanning, manual fine tuning, and perhaps a small external antenna.

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Why This Piece Is Special (For a Collection)

1. Rarity & Niche Appeal
   Small CRT portable TVs like this are not common in the collector world, especially when still intact with controls and casework. Many have been scrapped or cannibalized for parts. A working or restorable one is a treat.

2. Microcosm of Design
   In a small chassis, the designers had to make trade-offs, integrate circuits tightly, manage interference, and make something usable. Examining the internals (if you choose to open it) is educational in miniaturized CRT design.

3. Display Versatility
   These units appeal for novelty display or shelf presence. Even if you cannot watch broadcast TV, they can be repurposed (with modern circuitry) as a tiny display, video monitor, or art piece.

4. Historical Bridge
   It sits at an inflection point between bulky CRTs and the later shift toward flat display technologies. It tells a story of how engineers sought to shrink television even before LCDs became dominant.

5. Collector Conversation Piece
   Because of its size and unique footprint, it’s a piece people stop to ask about. It’s the kind of object that sparks curiosity and nostalgia in both tech enthusiasts and casual visitors.

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Preservation Tips & Considerations

• Capacitor aging: The electrolytic capacitors in the power supply and video circuits are likely dried out or leaky. Re-cap is a typical restoration step.

• High voltage safety: Even tiny CRTs carry dangerous voltages (hundreds to thousands of volts). Any servicing must be done with proper safety precautions (bleeding HV, discharge tools).

• CRT wear: Because the electron gun and phosphor ages, brightness or focus may degrade. Gentle use is safer for longevity.

• Interfacing & signal: In the analog broadcast era, this may have used NTSC (if from the US market) or another regional format. Today, you’d need a signal source (composite video or RF modulator) to drive it.

• Enclosure care: Plastic shrinkage, discoloration, and metal hardware corrosion are common. Gentle cleaning and stabilizing help preserve its external character.