Mystery vidicon camera (Fringevision) - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

PaulM · 3rd May 2014, 7:53 pm

OK, I give up.

Anybody know the make/model of this vidicon camera, please?

It beats me - there's no clues on it anywhere as to the manufacturer or type number. It's British (I reckon). Popular 'cylinder' format of the 1950/60s.

Crofton or Beulah perhaps?

Strange beast.

Many thanks,

Paul M

PaulM · 3rd May 2014, 10:20 pm

Another possibility is one of the 'NEVCO' cameras? The Nottingham Electric Valve Co. (of Telcan linear video recording fame), made the 'Mini-Eye' series of vidicon cameras, but pictures of this series of cameras are few and far between.

I have a dim recollection of pictures of this camera (and also NEVCO's products) appearing as a feature in Teletopics in 'Practical Television' in the 1960s. I guess that I may have to begin a trawl of the physical magazines . . .

Many thanks for any clues.

Paul M

beamcurrent · 4th May 2014, 5:12 pm

Hi Paul,

I give up too, I don't recognize it!. but will keep a look out for any details.

On the mystery camera front, here is one of mine, attached is a picture of a camera taken in Hong Kong, the chap who sent it to me was enquiring if I knew the maker. dispite the picture being taken in Hong Kong, I am assured it is of UK manafacture.

Brian

Restoration73 · 5th May 2014, 5:19 pm

Fringevision - Practical Television March 1965

PaulM · 5th May 2014, 5:58 pm

Ah hah!

Many thanks for responding - that was an excellent piece of detective work! I had a feeling that I'd seen it somewhere in back issue of PT.

Can't say that I've ever heard of Fringevision - I wonder how long they survived for?

How did you zoom in on March '65 PT?

Best regards,

Paul M

Nickthedentist · 5th May 2014, 6:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulM

I wonder how long they survived for?

Folded in 1966 apparently: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...3928/page/3137

They seem to have been a cable TV operator like Mastervision in Abingdon.

Sadly, we've just lost our chance of hearing from their chief engineer: http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/ob....Arthur_Smart/

Nick

PaulM · 6th May 2014, 10:43 pm

Thanks, Nick, that's interesting. It's a pity we've just missed the chance to have some first-hand information, but that's sometimes how things happen . . .

The camera is reasonably well made, but I've no idea how good/bad it was compared to the many rivals to be found at that time. I don't think I'll bother to bring it back to operational status - it is what it is, a mid-60s vidicon camera and there's many more examples out there of its ilk. Good to nail the history though and I'll file this thread with the camera.

Best regards,

Paul M

3rd May 2014, 7:53 pm	#1
PaulM Hexode Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Lincoln, UK. Posts: 483	Mystery vidicon camera (Fringevision) OK, I give up. Anybody know the make/model of this vidicon camera, please? It beats me - there's no clues on it anywhere as to the manufacturer or type number. It's British (I reckon). Popular 'cylinder' format of the 1950/60s. Crofton or Beulah perhaps? Strange beast. Many thanks, Paul M Attached Thumbnails

3rd May 2014, 10:20 pm	#2
PaulM Hexode Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Lincoln, UK. Posts: 483	Re: Mystery vidicon camera Another possibility is one of the 'NEVCO' cameras? The Nottingham Electric Valve Co. (of Telcan linear video recording fame), made the 'Mini-Eye' series of vidicon cameras, but pictures of this series of cameras are few and far between. I have a dim recollection of pictures of this camera (and also NEVCO's products) appearing as a feature in Teletopics in 'Practical Television' in the 1960s. I guess that I may have to begin a trawl of the physical magazines . . . Many thanks for any clues. Paul M

4th May 2014, 5:12 pm	#3
beamcurrent Heptode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Camberley, Surrey, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Mystery vidicon camera Hi Paul, I give up too, I don't recognize it!. but will keep a look out for any details. On the mystery camera front, here is one of mine, attached is a picture of a camera taken in Hong Kong, the chap who sent it to me was enquiring if I knew the maker. dispite the picture being taken in Hong Kong, I am assured it is of UK manafacture. Brian Attached Thumbnails __________________ Regards Brian Visit the Virtual Broadcast TV Camera Museum

5th May 2014, 5:19 pm	#4
Restoration73 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Surbiton, SW London, UK. Posts: 2,801	Re: Mystery vidicon camera Fringevision - Practical Television March 1965 Attached Thumbnails

5th May 2014, 5:58 pm	#5
PaulM Hexode Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Lincoln, UK. Posts: 483	Re: Mystery vidicon camera Ah hah! Many thanks for responding - that was an excellent piece of detective work! I had a feeling that I'd seen it somewhere in back issue of PT. Can't say that I've ever heard of Fringevision - I wonder how long they survived for? How did you zoom in on March '65 PT? Best regards, Paul M

6th May 2014, 10:43 pm	#7
PaulM Hexode Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Lincoln, UK. Posts: 483	Re: Mystery vidicon camera Thanks, Nick, that's interesting. It's a pity we've just missed the chance to have some first-hand information, but that's sometimes how things happen . . . The camera is reasonably well made, but I've no idea how good/bad it was compared to the many rivals to be found at that time. I don't think I'll bother to bring it back to operational status - it is what it is, a mid-60s vidicon camera and there's many more examples out there of its ilk. Good to nail the history though and I'll file this thread with the camera. Best regards, Paul M