Skip to main content

TV-Radio-Cassette Player

W

hile researching props for the captain's stateroom, I stumbled across a little device practically lost to time: the Panasonic TR-003. A fascinating, all-in-one, TV-radio-cassette player from the early 70s.

Initially, when I first discovered it, all I had was an image from a scanned advertisement (see here), with no idea what the device was called. My Google Lens searches only turned up random old portable radios. After more digging, I found the popular Panasonic TR-545C, which led me to a high-quality scan of a vintage newspaper advert featuring the entire portable Panasonic range. And there it was: the TV-cassette player I’d been looking for, the TR-003, complete with its model details.

Searching for this forgotten device online yielded scarce results, only about eight grainy single-page ads. It wasn't just obscure; it was like a digital whisper from a bygone era. As a sucker for old studio-lit tech ads, I instantly knew its unusual, compact form and tiny 3-inch pop-up TV (one of the smallest CRT TVs ever made) were perfect for the game's setting. It was exactly the kind of device the captain and crew might have used off-duty.

Additionally, I love the compelling challenge of being (probably) the first person to ever 3D model this wonderful piece of retro tech. However, with such limited material (online references are practically non-existent), it felt less like research and more like an archaeological dig for a lost artifact.

Just as I was about to give up hope, a stroke of pure luck. A fantastic DIY tech YouTuber called Exercising Ingenuity showcased the TR-003 in a video (see here) from last year! The relief was immense. Suddenly, I had what I desperately needed, solid reference from multiple views and a clear understanding of its main components. This video was an absolute game-changer, allowing me to dive in and meticulously recreate the key components. What began as a frustrating hunt for a forgotten relic transformed into an exciting build.

I like to view all the 3D models I create as "impressions" rather than accurate real-world digital reconstructions. This approach allows me to capture the essence and character of these unique pieces; balancing authenticity with creative license. To avoid any potential legal issues, I'll name the brand 'Fonosonic' in game just to be safe!

It’s incredibly satisfying to recreate something obscure from the past. This Panasonic TV, radio and cassette player isn't just a prop; it's a piece of history, adding that crucial layer of authentic detail in the game. Of course, I had to also make a cassette tape to go with it!



Jason Bartlett ©

Jason Bartlett ©

Jason Bartlett ©

Jason Bartlett ©


Stay tuned for more retro tech making its way into the project!


Thanks for reading :)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Crab Pot

For the next step of the modelling process of the crab pot, I was challenged with another huge hurdle ( to say the least). This stage was where all the painstaking problems crawled in again.  The rope. I thought making some bendy cords would be simple enough, but believe me, it was anything but. There aren't many tutorials, covering the whole modelling process to the end 'game ready' product, for rope. So, like previous obstacles I faced in the modelling stage, I used multiple methods and trial and error to find the best path.  Actually, creating a tube following a manually placed path, was the easiest part for me. I had picked this step up while at University. However, I had to manually place and move each Bezier path to form the guide lines, for yards of rope, in a natural and realistic way. Hundreds of them. I spent more hours than I would have liked, setting up the paths to guide the rope along. I kept asking myself that there must be an easier way to tie...

Render Tests

An important element in the conceptual stage is to not look at a problem from one perspective. It's always best to get multiple views to achieve a greater outcome. To reach an end goal is one thing. The journey to that end goal is something else entirely. One of my favourite quotes by Carl Friedrich Gauss states "It is not knowledge, but the act of learning, not possession but the act of getting there, which grants the greatest enjoyment". I totally agree with this and it applies to game development. Creating something big or small brings its challenges and the act to reach the finish line is where the magic happens. I hope to experiment in several styles, as would any other artist working early on in game development; focusing on diversity and demonstrating imagination. Jason Bartlett © I created the above image, of a  bow mast, using the toon shader in the render settings of Arnold for Maya. I really enjoyed creating the style, was simple to se...

SYSTEM READY.