RCA Telemite Miniature Television Camera (1957)

RCA Telemite Miniature  Television Camera (Hand-written date of July 1957 on the cover -  Wow!  Early for a camera this small!) RCA again achieves a notable advancement in the field of television. Recognized for years as a pioneer and leader in electronics, RCA has recently developed an ultra-miniature (pocket-size) live-action television camera for military field, mobile, and airborne closed-circuit TV applications. Incorporating numerous new design and performance characteristics, the "Telemite" TV camera represents a significant advance in the military television art. "Telemite's" ultra-miniature size, plus its simplicity and flexibility, will open new fields of application for closed-circuit television. This television camera will permit direct observation and reconnaissance in places and locations heretofore inaccessible to existing TV camera equipment. In mobile and airborne use, the "Telemite" offers quality television with important savings in vital space and power. The smallest and lightest TV Camera in existence today Employing transistorized circuitry and using the new RCA half-inch vidicon pickup tube, this remarkable TV camera has been designed for the utmost in compactness. It can be used in extremely small or inaccessible spaces. In addition, the "Telemite" weighs approximately one pound, is sensitive, rugged, dissipates negligible power, and has exceptional tolerance to changes in levels of illumination. The "Telemite" camera may be mounted on a tripod, fastened directly to a wall or bulkhead, or may be hand-held by a pistol grip. In hand-held use, "Telemite" compares in size and balance to a soldering gun or small electric drill. The "Telemite" TV camera (model JTV-I) is designed for operation from an RCA control monitor, type ITV-6A, slightly modified for the purpose; no other units are required. A miniature adapter-control unit presently under development will make it possible to use any commercial TV receiver as a monitoring device. Pistol-Grip "Telemite" fits lightly in the palm of your hand Measuring only 1%" x 2 3/8" x 4 3/4", (exclusive of lens and grip) the complete unit can be transported readily in a coat pocket. The "Telemite" case contains the half-inch vidicon pickup tube with its associated focus and deflection assembly, a transistorized pre-amplifier and blanking amplifier, and a novel photo-electric "latitude control" . Weighing approximately one pound, the "Telemite" will open new avenues of military application where size and weight characteristics are of prime consideration. Another device under development is a minimum-size control monitor. This monitor, by using an eight-inch rectangular kinescope and incorporating transistorized circuitry, offers a considerable saving in size, weight, and power consumption. Remarkable sensitivity and resolution This pocket-size TV camera surpasses standard vidicon-type industrial TV cameras in sensitivity. Used with an f/1.9lens (common on 8 mm motion picture cameras), clear pictures with good contrast can be obtained with a scene illumination of 10 foot candles or less. Any commercial 8 mm wide angle, normal angle or telephoto lens can be used. The "Telemite" TV camera operates with up to 200 feet of cable between it and the control monitor. This distance can be further extended by the use of a repeater amplifier. A "slave" monitor can also be added to a system with an intervening cable up to 2000 feet in length. Resolution equals or exceeds that of a standard home television receiver. Designed for maximum power economy The "Telemite" TV system operates from a US-volt, 60 cycle AC source, and draws less than 3S0 watts. Nearly all of this power is required by the control monitor. Only about 3 watts are utilized by the camera itself. Automatic compensation for changing light levels The "Telemite" is the first TV camera to incorporate a photoelectric sensitivity control, which automatically adjusts certain camera circuits to compensate for widely varying values of scene illumination. This arrangement, known as "latitude control", allows the "Telemite" TV camera to accommodate changes in scene lighting of the order of 100 to 1. Rugged construction designed to withstand extreme shock and vibration The half-inch vidicon used in the "Telemite" camera is physically small and mechanically simple. Its inherent ruggedness is thus greater than that of any pickup tube heretofore available, and the transistorized circuitry associated with it is even more rugged. The "Telemite's" resistance to vibration and shock is very high. For operation under unusual shock and vibration conditions with this design, the entire contents of the "Telemite" TV camera may be cast in potting compound or dip-coated with a conformal coating material. Simplicity of operation The vidicon tube is probably the least complex to operate of any television pickup tube. This fact is evidenced by the widespread use of vidicon cameras in industrial, medical, educational and other special applications, in which operation by non-technical personnel is required. Once optical and electrical focus are set up on the "Telemite", there are only two controls that may need adjustment, usually in response to changes in scene illumination. With the automatic "latitude control" of this camera, even these adjustments will seldom be required. Considering all aspects of military usage, the "Telemite" system will be outstanding in its simplicity and convenience in use. System versatility The systems applications of the "Telemite" TV camera are unlimited. One or more cameras can be used in connection with many monitors. Conversely, many cameras can be used with one or more monitors. In addition, the "Telemite" TV system can be incorporated into existing military systems where visual observation is required in addition to other tactical information. A miniaturized back-pack, currently under development, will permit completely portable, wireless operation. A new medium for tele-observation Since the early days of television, the many military applications of television were apparent to our armed forces. The development of the "Telemite" TV camera is another RCA contribution to improve general military effectiveness. A battle commander with this visual means can directly observe sites, terrain, and activities otherwise inaccessible to larger existing TV camera equipment. Applications for the "Telemite" Television camera are as fantastic as they are unlimited. A few examples are: 1 Battlefield surveillance from remotely-controlled drone aircraft. 2 Location, evaluation, and designation of artillery and mortar targets. 3 Adjustment and correction of artillery fire 4 On-the-spot portable communication between forward combat area positions and rear echelon units. 5 Observation of blind areas in loading or docking operations 6 Close observation of jet or reciprocating engine test performance. 7 Direct viewing of a rocket test sled or test stand operation. 8 Direct viewing of a subject animal or human being in a centrifuge test chamber. 9 On-the-battlefield interrogation of enemy personnel 10 Observation within an atomic structure (submarine, aircraft, reactor) 11 Reconnaissance of enemy-held territory to monitor supply points, assembly areas, and movement of forces 12 Briefing of tactical commanders before an action by showing terrain, maps, routes of approach, and enemy positions 13 Observation and control of amphibious and airborne landings, river crossings and assaults, as well as the movement behind the lines of friendly troops and supplies.   "TELEMITE" a major accomplishment in the television art   The "Telemite" television system offers a uniquely compact camera of high sensitivity and ruggedness, combined with the utmost in ease and convenience of operation. The camera can be placed where no television camera could previously go, and can be relied upon to perform faithfully in a wide range of conditions. Truly, a new concept in television and miniaturization. The "Telemite" TV camera is only one of many outstanding television devices of comparable military value which has been developed by RCA. Other developments include a fully transistorized self-contained image orthicon camera chain, specialized kinescope recorders, including the "Videostrobe" synchronized one-shot recorder, and a variety of equipments affording airborne television pickup with radio links to receivers on the ground. The military television development group of RCA's Surface Communications Department, which developed these devices, is a highly experienced versatile team which is uniquely qualified to adapt television techniques to military requirements.     ================================================================================ ================== Letter From RCA Defense Electronics Products Below  ======================

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