6 Responses:

1. shervin says:

   2 years ago at 6:08 pm

   "The sky above SOMA...". Nah. Good documentary though. What's the make/model of the lower left CRT?

   • Dude says:

     2 years ago at 6:36 pm

     "Decorative Realistic Fireplace Compact Retro Television With LED Moving Flame Effect Hearth Like Glow With Electric Fireplace TV Look For Indoors By ELYYT"
     

     • shervin says:

       2 years ago at 6:42 pm

       D'oh. Not CRT at all. Thanks.

       • fr2 says:

         2 years ago at 12:21 pm

         These devices are quite interesting and ingenious (as are many of those old-school light effects).
         They usually have a rotating, patterned cylinder in the bottom that reflects light onto the screen.

         • jwz says:

           2 years ago at 12:37 pm

           It's pretty sweet -- it takes advantage of perspective to make the flames look like they accelerate as they rise, by having the LEDs reflect off the flame-mirrors at an angle.

           The thing came configured to run off of 3 C-cell batteries, though. Who's even heard of C-cells these days! But I soldered in a jack and it works fine off a 5v2a wall wart.

           • Andris says:

             2 years ago at 2:52 pm

             That type of effect is called Lumia, sort of pioneered by early light artist Thomas Wilfred in the 30's and 40's. He made these cabinets like a rear projection TV that had slowly evolving color and texture driven by a motor not unlike your little fireplace TV. Really cool stuff, I got to see inside the box once and it was pretty amazing how simple it was.