HSV 7 Colour TV Demonstration 1968

Channel 7 in Melbourne held some Colour Television Demonstrations at the Royal Melbourne Show in September 1968.

This segment featuring "Happy Show" Host, Harry "Happy" Hammond and Child Singer, Jamie Redfern has survived.

Seven was experimenting with the new, at the time, German PAL Colour System. You can just spot a RED "Philips" company logo in the background. The TV Video Camera used was a "Philips Plumbicon Camera". (with thanks to James for the info)

The Philips Colour Camera would have looked much like this 1966 model:

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By 1968, parts of Europe had officially commenced broadcasting in 625 PAL Colour. Germany and Britain in 1967 and Holland and Switzerland in 1968.

BTQ Channel 7 in Brisbane also prepared for Colour Television in 1968 producing Demonstrations Films of what to expect when colour arrived.

WATCH here:    • BTQ 7 Colour TV demo - Brisbane Sports  

ATV Channel 0 (now 10) in Melbourne conducted Australia's FIRST over the air Test Telecast in NTSC Colour in June 1967. It transmitted the "Pakenham Races" from the outer east back to the ATV 0 Studios at East Burwood/Nunawading. Only Technicians, Executives, ABCB Reps and Journalists viewed these transmissions but they were deemed a success. I don't know whether any vision of these FIRST Colour Tests from ATV 0-10 in Australia has survived. As a result of that pioneering telecast, ATV 0 used the slogan "First In Colour" for some years.

Here's a Newspaper Article from June 1967 detailing the ATV Channel 0 Colour Test Telecast:

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This is the Camera used an RCA TK 42.
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Many Thanks to Youtuber: Troy AKA "typicalaussiebloke" for the information re these Cameras and that Test.

Australia had been telecasting in 625 line Black and White since 1956. Colour TV in Australia was scheduled to start in 1972, as "Happy" points out during the video, but for whatever reason it was postponed. Possibly to allow stations (particularly in rural areas) to purchase all the necessary broadcast equipment so a National Colour switch ON Day could be achieved.

In October 1974, PAL 625 Colour Test Transmissions commenced in various markets around Australia starting in Melbourne. Engineers were able to test equipment and some PAL sets were on display at retail stores to show off the new medium. If you were rich enough you could have a Colour Set at home for the around $1000 AUD, the equivalent at the time of more than 3 months average wages.

Regular PAL 625 Colour TV transmissions officially commenced across Australia on the 1st of March 1975.

By 1978, a decade after this Colour Demonstration at the Royal Melbourne Show, there was at least 1 Colour TV in about 7 out of 10 Australian Homes. One of the fastest take ups of Colour TV ever in the World.

Australians love new technology but the rapid saturation of the new colour medium can also be explained by the widespread availability of Rental Colour Sets as well as the release of 14 inch/34cm portable Colour TVs from 1977 that were priced within the range of most Australians.

The installation of Colour TVs at Motels and Hotels around Australia from 1975 was also rapid and a major drawcard for travelling tourists with "Colour TV" flagged on prominent signage outside the venue. It was very effective and brought in the customers for more than a decade. Enabling many Australians and some overseas visitors to watch Colour TV for the FIRST time. Much as venues flag the availability of "Foxtel' and "Austar" today.

To this Demonstration and the man operating the Colour Camera at the Royal Melbourne Show was HSV 7 Cameraman and Producer, Graeme Rowland.

Jamie Redfern was already a star in Melbourne in 1968 having appeared for some years on the HSV 7 Children's Talent Show "Brian and the Juniors" along with Jane Scali.

Jamie and Jane would achieve fame nationwide from 1971 after joining "Young Talent Time", that screened on the 0-10 Network and regional stations.

Jamie later held Australian Tours and performed concerts on his own in Australia and travelled in the United States.

Today Jamie runs a Talent School in Melbourne. He also appeared on the ABC TV show "Spicks and Specks" in 2007.

A portion of this Video has been posted before on Youtube but then dissappeared.. so I thought it worthy of posting.

It has most recently been posted by fellow Youtuber.. "cleverdickcleverdick" with thanks and can be viewed on a website called childsinger.com. Hence the watermark. It originates from an Australian released "Young Talent Time" DVD. All rights reserved.