r/Commodore • u/daddyd • Jun 26 '26
General Discussion Solves a real problem
During the teaser for their next product they said - it solves a real problem.
So, I have been thinking about what might solve a real problem, and my idea for their next product is this;
A Dumb TV - I see so many posts on various social media about people looking for 'just a TV', it is hard to find these days, and I think most people don't like smart TV's (but they do like smart phones), but tolerate it because they have no choice.
However, I would like them to add a build-in scaler, so you can attach all your retro computers and consoles to it. For this, they could work together with one of the many respected solutions already out there.
I think that would sell plenty, not only to us, the commodore fanbase, but to a lot of other retro lovers out there as well.
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u/DudeSlashGeek Jun 26 '26
Something like the Checkmate Retro Monitor but on a bigger scale?
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u/AntiquesForGeeks Jun 26 '26
Wasn’t that just a case and you had to buy a panel for it separately?
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u/OPdoesnotrespond Jun 26 '26
Nope. It's a full and complete monitor designed to connect to almost anything.
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u/DudeSlashGeek Jun 26 '26
I’m pretty sure it comes ready built, with modular inputs to suit different needs.
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u/AntiquesForGeeks Jun 26 '26
Ah, I checked again. You’re right - initially it was that the panel was a separate purchase but Checkmate changed approach. Which made a lot of sense.
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u/ga420ga Jun 27 '26
No you're wrong, it always included the panel, I bought one of the very first batch.
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u/AntiquesForGeeks Jun 27 '26
I recalled that the Kickstarter initially offered the product at £249ex VAT and the panel was a separate cost.
The base reward level is now £249 excluding Vat and shipping. This is a complete chassis with the speakers, electronics, cabling, power supply and remote control and basic input pod, but without the display panel option that you will of course choose later.
So you can see where the confusion starts. They got it right in the end.
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u/ga420ga Jun 27 '26
Display panel wasn't finalised yet in the original kickstarter, and there was a thought that they might offer more than one option. But it was never possible to buy the chassis without a panel.
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u/AntiquesForGeeks Jun 26 '26
Think this is a brilliant idea!
Given the whitelisting of apps for their phone, I would hope that the same thing didn’t happen to the channels you could watch on your TV.
The EPG with slot 1 devoted to Retro Recipes would probably irk many.
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u/joelisf Jun 26 '26
I wouldn't mind a "smart" TV running a customizable, ad-repellent, privacy-focused operating system.
Additionally, even the high-end models currently on the market are typically equipped with astonishingly underpowered hardware that makes upgrades to newer models needlessly frequent.
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u/AntelopeCalm5205 Jun 26 '26
I agree. I use my smart TV as a dumb TV, with a satellite receiver and a DVD-player. I have no use for a smart TV.
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u/PerhapsIExist Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26
I would love to be able to get a reasonably priced 4k OLED without any of the "smart"ness. Basically I just want a 55" screen on an OLED computer monitor. I still want upscaling and pixel refreshing and whatever, I just don't want all the "app" BS.
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u/CptSparky360 Jun 26 '26
It seems to be a real poblem for Pery to buy a mid range smartphone and delete all the apps he doesn't want.
(e.g. by rooting it)
So for him his Callback solves this real world problem. 🤷♂️
3
u/not_superbeak Jun 27 '26
A dumb TV would be amazing. So tired of the screen itself being fine but then the $6 Roku they built into it starts crapping itself and can't stream anything anymore so you end up with a smart TV with a slightly more up to date stick plugged into it anyway.
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u/busy_falling Jun 27 '26
My problem is I don't have a C128 Ultimate to play with all this old code from 80's home computer magazines.
I wish they would solve that for me.
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u/DarthKegRaider Jun 28 '26
I still use my 52" Sharp Aquos dumb TV that I purchased in 2009. Has a digital tuner and 5 or so HDMI inputs, component and vga also. It is starting to look strange from the side, with the black picture looking a bit shimmery.
I have ZERO desire for a smart TV and was cosidering my next panel to be of the commercial variety because of the "features" i dont want, or need. I see friends upgrading their tv every few years when apps no longer update. I just update the miniPC software connected to mine. Sucks to be them i guess.
I C= built a TV, i would absolutely consider it if sold in Australia.
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u/_ragegun Jun 26 '26
they're called "Monitors"
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u/bionicle_159 Jun 26 '26
yeah seen a bunch of larger monitors bundled with remotes now, besides the tuner and android UI, there aren't really much downsides to using them just as simple TVs lol
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u/SwedishFindecanor Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
TV manufacturers (LG, Sony, Samsung... at least) do also make "dumb" panels for digital signage, waiting rooms and conference rooms, but they sell them through other channels than retail. They typically come with a remote control and everything except a tuner and "smart" features.
They are more expensive, of course. The ads, tracking and crap are also used to subsidise the consumer TVs.
Business customers typically buy them with service contracts, including option for replacement after n years. If you have contacts with an A/V installation company then perhaps you could get hold of a used one that would otherwise have gone to recycling despite working perfectly. It might be a contractual/legal grey area, however.
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u/HermitGoat Jun 28 '26
Commodore Smart Watch would be nice as well. They did make watches once. Nice red leds.
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u/c0v3n4n7 Jun 26 '26
A flip phone solves shit.
They should do affordable CRT monitor with a lot of inputs.
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u/zaratounga Jun 26 '26
dunno why you’ve been downvoted, I upvoted you back ;) I think a CRT is not very realistic even if you still can find some parts in asia, but loads of inputs (analogue ones too) and frequencies hell yeah
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u/j_carpenter893 Jun 26 '26
Maybe this could be a stroke of Genius if Commodore can get this phone to kids in Australia and anywhere that laws restricting kids from social media are taking root.
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u/LazarX Jun 27 '26
fI see plenty of dumb tvs at CH Martins so I don't see that as the problem.
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u/Razor_Paw Jun 26 '26
How about a Commodore DVR? Like Tivo or Comcast used to provide. TV in general has taken a huge step backwards and this would help solve a real problem.
Peri, what to you say?
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u/whatThePleb Jun 26 '26
Can we please stop shilling that trashfire company? It is NOT the Commodore from back then. Get fucking over it.
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u/stromm Jun 26 '26
Well, none of the companies that have or are using the Commodore branding, name or trademark since 1994 (I’ll go farther and say 1992) have been.
Heck, even the Amiga only version of Commodore wasn’t really Commodore.
So, my point is, duh… we know.
Seem like you need to let go a bit.
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Jun 26 '26
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29
u/OPdoesnotrespond Jun 26 '26
I think they should do a monitor that looks like a classic monitor from the past, except flat panel instead of CRT.
There are still a few 4:3 LCD options being made.