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Rewind

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Test Card

In the 1940s, the BBC began using patterns specifically designed to assist with aligning studio cameras and testing response. In addition to being used off-air, these designs were also broadcast, and became a useful tool for the TV trade, when setting up domestic TV installations. Initially, the designs were hand-drawn on large pieces of card, typically 2ft x 3ft. Hence the term “Test Card” was coined. Later these patterns were put to air using 35mm slides and later again, were generated electronically. The term “Test Card” became the common term for these special designs, irrespective of the means by which they were put to air.

BBC One/BBC One Northern Ireland continuity including programme promotions for Beverly Hills Cop III and Glasgow Kiss followed by Pages from Ceefax and Test Card J (6th August 2000)

26th February 2022 in Channel Presentation, Promotions, Teletext, Test Cards by The Rewind Team

BBC One closes down temporarily for some overnight engineering work.

Read MoreBBC One/BBC One Northern Ireland continuity including programme promotions for Beverly Hills Cop III and Glasgow Kiss followed by Pages from Ceefax and Test Card J (6th August 2000)

Teilifís na Gaeilge pre-launch engineering tests and test transmission (1996)

4th October 2021 in Test Cards by The Rewind Team

A short engineering test, captured during pre-launch test transmissions for the Irish-language …

Read MoreTeilifís na Gaeilge pre-launch engineering tests and test transmission (1996)

Channel 4 test card (1984)

12th September 2021 in Test Cards by The Rewind Team

In the days before 24-hour television.

Read MoreChannel 4 test card (1984)

Galaxy start-up (30th November 1990)

12th August 2021 in Channel Presentation, Promotions, Test Cards by The Rewind Team

The 7am Galaxy junction.

Read MoreGalaxy start-up (30th November 1990)

BBC Two/Open University start-up: first on air appearance of new BBC Two logo (16th February 1991)

11th August 2021 in Channel Presentation by The Rewind Team

The 6.50am BBC Two junction.

Read MoreBBC Two/Open University start-up: first on air appearance of new BBC Two logo (16th February 1991)

BBC One/Open University start-up: first on air appearance of new BBC One logo (16th February 1991)

11th August 2021 in Channel Presentation, Test Cards by The Rewind Team

The 6.40am BBC One junction.

Read MoreBBC One/Open University start-up: first on air appearance of new BBC One logo (16th February 1991)

RTÉ Network 2 closedown including programme promotion for Monday and technical fault (September 1995)

10th August 2021 in Channel Presentation, Promotions, Test Cards by The Rewind Team

RTÉ Network 2 is about to close down for the night – but the gremlins get in first.

Read MoreRTÉ Network 2 closedown including programme promotion for Monday and technical fault (September 1995)

BBC One test card followed by BBC Select ident and The Social Agenda opening titles (1994)

19th July 2021 in Channel Presentation, Programmes, Test Cards by The Rewind Team

A junction from the overnight BBC Select service.

Read MoreBBC One test card followed by BBC Select ident and The Social Agenda opening titles (1994)

RTÉ Network 2 closedown including programme promotion for Sunday (10th April 1994)

17th July 2021 in Channel Presentation, Promotions, Test Cards by The Rewind Team

RTÉ Network 2 takes a look ahead to what’s to come on Sunday before closing down for the …

Read MoreRTÉ Network 2 closedown including programme promotion for Sunday (10th April 1994)

RTÉ One closedown including programme promotion for Daughter of Darkness (13th March 1994)

15th July 2021 in Channel Presentation, Promotions, Test Cards by The Rewind Team

The late news and A Prayer at Bedtime, before RTÉ One closes down for the night.

Read MoreRTÉ One closedown including programme promotion for Daughter of Darkness (13th March 1994)

BBC One continuity and closedown including programme promotions for Boxing Day and Billy Connolly: A Scot in the Arctic (26th December 1995)

3rd July 2021 in Channel Presentation, Programmes, Promotions, Test Cards by The Rewind Team

Christmas Day’s schedule is coming to a close on BBC One.

Read MoreBBC One continuity and closedown including programme promotions for Boxing Day and Billy Connolly: A Scot in the Arctic (26th December 1995)

Pages from Ceefax followed by the test card (24th December 1981)

26th May 2021 in Teletext, Test Cards by The Rewind Team

An in-vision Ceefax slot comes to an end on Christmas Eve.

Read MorePages from Ceefax followed by the test card (24th December 1981)
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