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Another round-up of information recently published in the magazines for enthusiasts of television graphics: << TV Graphics Review >> and "Test Cards" (both available from HS Publications in Derby).
Closedown Sequence
We mentioned in Issue 15 that John Grace recalled that at Closedown during the afternoons in the Thirties, Alexandra Palace transmitted a caption at 4.00pm. At Closedown around 10.00pm, an ornate "carriage clock" was transmitted, accompanied by a recording of the News broadcast via the BBC Home Service. The BBC ‘Coat Of Arms’ was then shown with the National Anthem. In fact, John’s recollections are from the Fifties, not the Thirties!
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| Does anyone know the exact date when this opening sequence for "B.B.C. News And Newsreel" was transmitted for the first time? |
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| This sequence featuring the Alexandra Palace transmitter was used for BBC-tv News bulletins in the Forties and Fifties. This report was broadcast on December 31st, 1949. |
Andrew Lilley in Ilford (Essex) has queried the transmission by BBC-tv of a digital Clock caption in 1960 and wonders whether anyone can solve the following mystery. Andrew writes: "In Philip Purser’s biography Done Viewing he recalls the time he worked for BBC Presentation. He says that in 1960 the Head of Presentation at that time, Rex Moorfoot, introduced a digital Clock which was shown before every news bulletin. Does anyone have a pictorial record of what the digital Clock caption looked like?"
Editorial Note: After checking and re-checking our extensive BBC archives it seems that we have no record of a digital Clock caption being used by the BBC in 1960 (or in any other year come to that!). Perhaps someone, somewhere, does have a copy. If anyone can help, please write in!
Wanted: Oscilloscope Service Manual
John Boult has written from Tadworth in Surrey requesting information about an oscilloscope. John writes: "I have acquired an oscilloscope which requires calibrating. Unfortunately I do not have the service manual so I am prevented from carrying out this task at the moment. The model is Telequipment DM64. I wonder if anyone could possibly supply a copy, please?"
On a slightly different topic, John poses the following question: "Digital colour receivers have extra internal circuitry to process the incoming signal. If I buy an analogue colour TV, I will require an add-on unit to convert the digital signal. This would probably cost almost £300. Does anyone know if a digital-to-analogue converter kit is available so that I can make my own unit?"
Second BBC Test Card Music CD From Apollo Sound
Reviewed by Keith Hamer
There’s some really great news for all enthusiasts of BBC Test Card music. The Mood Music publisher, Apollo Sound, have just released Volume 2 in the series "From The Archives: Test Card Music". The first commercially-available CD to be released featuring BBC Test Card music was produced by Chandos Records. This was reviewed recently in Test Cards. Hot on the heels of Chandos came a CD issued by Apollo Sound. This company has produced music for the radio, television and film industries for many years.
Until very recently it has been virtually impossible to legally obtain BBC Test Card music (although members of a certain group of so-called ‘enthusiasts’ have been selling it). There are a lot of fans just waiting for CD’s like the ones from Chandos Records and Apollo Sound to emerge from the hitherto closely guarded archive vaults. The second Apollo Sound CD (APSCD 208) features 25 pieces of digitally re-mastered recordings.
The Apollo Sound CD (reference number ‘APSCD 208’) features the following superb pieces:-
Availability
From The Archives: Test Card Music Volume 2 is now available from the following address:- HS Publications, 7 Epping Close, Mackworth Estate, Derby DE22 4HR (& 01332 51 33 99).
The price is £16.75, including UK postage and packing (for readers overseas, please write for Airmail prices). Please make Cheques/Postal Orders, etc., payable to ‘HS Publications’.
We are always pleased to hear from visitors to this web-site with comments or information regarding archive and present-day BBC Radio and Television material. At present, the Editors of << TV Graphics Review >> and "Test Cards" do not have Internet facilities so all correspondence is via the post! If you do write, and you would like a personal reply, please do not forget to enclose a stamped-addressed envelope. Please write to:-
Keith Hamer, BBC Test Card Club, HS Publications, 7 Epping Close, Mackworth Estate, Derby DE22 4HR, England.
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