Col-R-Tel History. Col-R-Tel is a tube circuit. The factory designed
and built it in 1954. The device adapts black-and-white, tube TVs of that time
period. Most of my comments apply to these sets from the late 1940s to early
'50s.
NTSC only. The Col-R-Tel converter is a system for use in the US.
Col-R-Tel works in countries with the 525-line, 60-Hz NTSC color system.
Nobody ever made a disc-type color converter for PAL or SECAM color
systems. (Such a converter would certainly be possible, though. –Ed.)
Year of TV manufacture. With Col-R-Tel, you can use many different
TVs. A handful of sets with manufacturing dates between 1948 and about
1952 work best. These are all tube sets.
Cabinet type. A frame supports the Col-R-Tel wheel unit. This frame
sits on top of the TV. For setup convenience, a tabletop
set with a flat-top cabinet works best. In terms of mounting the
Col-R-Tel electronic chassis, a wood cabinet is convenient.
Ease of operation and adjustment determine the Col-R-Tel mounting position.
Preferred mounting locations are the top-rear or side of the cabinet.
Usually the installer uses wood screws to mount the Col-R-Tel chassis.
Set health. For Col-R-Tel use, sets should be in good repair.
Electronically and cosmetically restored sets perform best and produce a
superior presentation. The Col-R-Tel converter system
should work correctly and be in good physical condition.