In 1989, Sony released the Trinitron PVM-4300, which is the largest display monitor ever manufactured. With a 43-inch diagonal display and a weight of around 440 pounds, it went on sale in Japan for a mind-blowing ￥2,600,000. Around 20 sets were imported to the United States around January 1990, with an introductory price of $40,000 ($100,000 today). It was aimed at the elite consumer market, but only managed to sell three sets. Needless to say, it was a complete failure. For years, people even doubted its existence, until a YouTuber in 2022 found one of the last working units on the second floor of a soba noodle shop in Osaka, Japan. It was shipped to the United States, where it was then cleaned, repaired and calibrated. The unit’s serial number indicates that it was likely the 103rd unit produced. It’s unknown how many others may still exist today, but the number produced was extremely low because of the incredible expense.
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| On the second floor of a noodle shop |
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| In the U.S. for restoration |
