Recording video in the 1950s

[Mike Watterson]

I remember repairing / servicing some N1500s in late 1970s. Like a Meccano kit inside. Never seen an EL3400. All the N1500s & N1700s and Umatics we saw were all Education, Government, Hospitals (recording of operations for training) or Corporate (like Insurance co. training). The reel to reel all EIAJ 1/2" mono with cameras, either industrial or military users, though some had option slots or locations for "Colour under" kits. But by the time single tube colour cameras were affordable it was N1500, N1700 or U-Matic and then Betamax & VHS.

Didn't U-Matic predate N1500 by a year?

The oldest single tube colour I saw was mounted on the hospital theatre lamp arm and had a 19" form factor control box. Regular call outs to get the blood colour correct! Usually I had to work on it during an operation as that theatre was so busy. I carefully counted my tools. :D

Betamax and VHS were the first we saw with private owners.