New Television Camera Tubes in Perspective

Abstract

Many new television camera tubes, both image orthicons and vidicons, have been introduced into the market in 1960 and 1961. The performance of these tubes is discussed in terms of their suitability for different applications and the conditions under which they must operate. In the image-orthicon line, the trend is toward specialization, with new tubes designed to produce better black-and-white pictures and for new camera designs, or to produce color pictures in black-and-white studio-lighting levels; others were designed for very-low-light-level remote pickups where lighting conditions are extremely adverse. The performance of the new vidicons reflects recent improvements in sensitivity; lower gamma characteristics produce better tonal renditions and low-light sensitivity. In addition, several new types have been introduced for special pickup work for both broadcast and industrial TV uses.