The Journey to Save the Last Known 43-Inch Sony CRT

When it comes to passion projects and preserving pieces of tech history, few stories capture the imagination as much as Shank Mods’ epic quest to save the mysterious Sony KX-45ED1 CRT TV. In his latest YouTube video, Shank takes us on a whirlwind adventure that spans continents, history, and the incredible dedication to saving what may be the Holy Grail of CRT collecting.

The Sony KX-45ED1, also known as the PVM-4300, is a 43-inch CRT television released in 1989. Retailing for $40,000 (more than $100,000 today), it pushed the limits of CRTs and delivered professional-grade performance. For years, this giant CRT was considered a myth, with little evidence of its existence—only a few photos and an incomplete manual. Television has become the “Bigfoot” of CRTs, sparking debate among collectors over whether any television sets have actually survived to this day.

Shank’s story begins with a clue – a photo of a KX-45ED1 allegedly taken seven years ago in the waiting room of a soba restaurant in Osaka, Japan. When Shank’s friend Dev tracked the photo to the blog, they discovered the restaurant would be demolished within days. The urgency is palpable. Shank took the time to ask for help on Twitter, hoping that someone in Osaka could investigate the matter. Enter Abebe, a stranger who volunteers to inspect the location. Despite the odds, Abebe discovered that the CRT was still present, fully functional, and confirmed that restaurant owners were looking for ways to get rid of it.

What follows is a coordinated televised rescue operation in a race against time, involving logistics experts, moving teams and mountains of paperwork.

From then on, the game was on. Shank must coordinate an international rescue mission to prevent the CRT from being dismantled. The challenges are huge. First, he needed to convince his owner to give up the TV. The 440-pound beast then had to be moved from the restaurant’s second floor to safety. The mission required boxing, airlifting to the United States, and then shipping to Shank’s garage. Throughout the process, Shank relied on an incredible network of helpers, including Abebe and Mr. Takahashi, the logistics expert who facilitated the move. The CRT is carefully wrapped, stuffed and carried down the stairs by a team of movers, eventually arriving at the warehouse for shipment.

Once the CRT arrived in the United States, the restoration process began. Although in working order, it required extensive calibration and repairs to address convergence issues, geometry issues, and the development of CRT cataracts. Shank enlisted the help of experts, who spent hours adjusting the TV’s settings. They discovered a glitch in the dynamic convergence circuit, which was eventually fixed. After weeks of careful work, the KX-45ED1 is fully operational, providing a stunning display perfect for retro gaming.

Throughout his journey, Shank’s film highlights the incredible contributions of his community. Abebe, who made the rescue possible, turned out to be Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon. His selfless dedication in the final months of game development exemplifies the power of shared passion. Other contributors, such as Mr. Takahashi and the CRT experts who assisted in the restoration, played a vital role in making this dream a reality.

This story isn’t just about television; It’s about preserving history and celebrating those who made history possible. Shank’s journey reminds us that we will do whatever it takes to honor the past and connect through shared passions.

Are you ready for the full adventure? Click here to watch the video on YouTube See how Shank Mods saved the legendary KX-45ED1 CRT TV. Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe to Shank Mods to support more incredible projects like this one.