A retro gaming aficionado and console modder has achieved the ultimate collector’s dream: saving one of the rarest CRT TVs ever made from destruction. Shank Mods, a well-known figure in the gaming community, successfully rescued a Sony Trinitron KX-45ED1, also known as the PVM-4300, from the brink of demolition at a noodle restaurant in Osaka, Japan. This extraordinary feat brought the massive TV across the globe to the United States.
The Sony Trinitron KX-45ED1 is a true rarity, boasting a visible diagonal screen size of 43 inches, making it the largest CRT TV ever sold to consumers. Its mammoth 45-inch tube earned it a reputation as “the Bigfoot of CRTs.” These TVs are exceptionally rare due to their astronomical weight and price. The unit alone weighs over 200 kilograms (440 pounds) and comes with a hefty 77-kilogram (170-pound) stand, making it a logistical nightmare for most homes. When it launched in 1989, the KX-45ED1 carried a staggering price tag of $40,000—equivalent to $100,000 today when adjusted for inflation.
Shank Mods learned of the existence of this elusive TV through a friend, who tipped him off about a unit in a second-floor room of Chikuma Soba, a historic 300-year-old noodle restaurant in Osaka. Detective work revealed that the restaurant was set to relocate within days due to earthquake-proofing construction, putting the CRT at risk of destruction. With time running out, Shank Mods turned to social media for help.
Enter Abebe, a stranger on Twitter who volunteered to visit the restaurant just before its closure. Remarkably, the CRT was still operational. With a short window before demolition, plans were quickly set in motion to remove, pack, and ship the TV to the U.S.
The extraction and shipment of the PVM-4300 were no small tasks. Transporting the TV required a significant investment akin to buying a used car. The team carefully warehoused, packed, and shipped the colossal device and its stand across the globe. Against all odds, the TV arrived fully intact, and Shank Mods wasted no time putting it to the test with a nostalgic session of Super Smash Bros. Melee on a GameCube. The CRT performed flawlessly, proving its lag-free credentials that are so prized in retro gaming.
Shank Mods expressed his gratitude to his Japanese collaborators by gifting them custom 3D-printed PVM-4300 models. He even arranged a meeting with the owner of Chikuma Soba to uncover the TV’s history, which had graced the restaurant for 35 years.
Despite its initial success, the TV required some technical attention. Alignment of the red, green, and blue beams needed fine-tuning, and the picture suffered from “cataracts,” a common issue in aging CRT tubes. Thankfully, a service manual provided valuable guidance, and with the help of monitor experts from across the U.S., most issues were resolved. However, the dynamic convergence amplifier circuit required a component replacement to fully restore functionality.
After hours of restoration work, the Sony Trinitron KX-45ED1 is now fully operational. Shank Mods described the picture quality as “incredible” and plans to share this treasure with other retro gaming enthusiasts. He’s inviting fellow CRT fans to test their favorite consoles and games on the screen, ensuring this legendary TV continues to bring joy to the community.
The story of the PVM-4300 is a testament to the passion and dedication of retro enthusiasts. It’s not just a TV—it’s a piece of history, now preserved for generations of gamers to come.
