SCP-461

Class: Safe

Containment Procedures: SCP-461 is to be kept in a locked room without windows and its display faced away from the door.

Description: SCP-461 is a 25-inch cathode ray tube (CRT) television of unknown origin, although it outwardly resembles a Zenith unit manufactured in the early 1980s. The model number is “ZT-035,” but this does not correspond to any known Zenith television. Once a day, at exactly 0300 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), SCP-461 self-activates and displays video footage lasting precisely five minutes. The nature of the footage varies widely, but it is never a conventional broadcast. Instead of standard television programming, SCP-461 displays what appears to be video feeds of closed-circuit security cameras in both commercial and residential settings. All footage appears contemporary and transmitted “live.”

SCP-461 does not require an external energy source to operate; it has no power cable. It also has no antenna. When it is active, changing the channel has no effect, and its unadjustable audio produces only low static. Its knobs to adjust color, sharpness, tint, or other visual settings have no effect and may not be connected.

All attempts to physically access the internal components have proved fruitless. The device has no seams, screws, bolts, or other entry point or fastener. X-ray scanning does not reveal the interior of SCP-461, and sonographic inspection is similarly inconclusive. The device is also unusually heavy for a CRT television -- approximately 50 kilograms above normal weight for a device of this type.

Addendum 461-A: Incident log, 03/08/20XX

We put the device inside of a Faraday cage today to filter out all incoming signals. Nevertheless, SCP-461's behavior continued as normal at 0300 GMT. Perhaps it's transmitting from an internal data storage component?

Dr. XXXX


Addendum 461-B: Incident log, 09/04/20XX

Today, the device displayed footage of the interior of the room it is contained in, from the perspective of the corner just above the door. However, there are no security cameras or other video recording devices in the room. Advise that no fewer than two individuals occupy the room at one time. Said footage is designated SCP-461-1.

Dr. XXXX


Addendum 461-C: Internal SCP correspondence, 09/12/20XX

I did some analysis on SCP-461-1 as you asked. Nothing really jumped out at me. All the readings came back normal. I didn't recognize that guy standing in the corner, though. Is he new?

Robert XXXXXX