"Color Bars" Test Pattern Question

[chriskennedycardsharks]

Hi.

I am new here.

Does anybody know the name of the bitmap font, if there is one, that is used on the SMPTE-Color Bars Test Pattern as seen in this manual http://www.ptltest.com/documents/TektronixTSG170A.pdf? The font in question was generated by the Tektronix TSG-170A generator, as I found out on this board, which in most cases, is typed on a black box.

However, I saw one Test Screen that had that same font, but not on a black box. And it was not SMPTE. It was EIA-Color Bars. It was the June 23, 1986 WNBC-TV signoff one on Youtube.

Also, is there a downloadable link for that font.

Any info is greatly appreciated.

Thanks much in advance,
Chris

 

[wbhist]

I can't say for certain what the specific name of the bitmap font is, but it did seem to be associated with Tektronix-made test equipment - both NTSC and PAL. Yes, PAL. Namely, the TSG-271/273(? - at least I think it's those), per:
http://www.dxmichael.com/obr/feeds/7e-10977h-zdf%20bruessel.jpg (full bars)
http://www.dxmichael.com/obr/feeds/7e-10977v-abctv%20sydney.jpg (bars w/ ½ red at bottom)
In addition, this bitmap font has also been seen on some Philips PM5544 test patterns, as per but one sample:
http://www.dxmichael.com/obr/feeds/7e-10977v-sydney%20TOC.jpg
Notice how differently the characters are spaced among NTSC color bars, PAL colour bars and PM5544 patterns.

But back to NTSC: The TSG-170D also has the box, except the left side is a few pixels shorter than on the TSG-170A (and also SPG-170A). However, I haven't seen any downloadable version of this typeface on the web. I've had to create my own from scratch, based on what I've seen. You may have to do same if you have access to Photoshop.

 

[chriskennedycardsharks]

I've had to create my own from scratch, based on what I've seen. You may have to do same if you have access to Photoshop.

You know, come to think of it wbhist, That's what I will do.

Do you know where I can find a screenshot of the letter "Q" used in that test pattern font. Also, what other characters were used other than letters and numbers?

Thank you so much for your help and have a great day.

All my best,
Chris

 

[wbhist]

Do you know where I can find a screenshot of the letter "Q" used in that test pattern font. Also, what other characters were used other than letters and numbers?

You'll have to check around the web for DX screenshots, not only for U.S. stations but also abroad. I've seen PAL colour bars with numerous characters ('&', '?', '!'; ':'; even the parentheses, etc.) in lieu of station or company information. John in Montana's website used to have a screenshot of Tektronix-generated color bars for KTVQ (Channel 2) in Billings, MT, but since analogue NTSC bit the dust in America, it's since been removed.

There is one with an '/':
http://www.dxmichael.com/obr/feeds/12.5w-11014h-sony%20music.jpg

 

[chriskennedycardsharks]

Hi there William.

I just came up with two other questions for you regarding the SMPTE Color Bars font.

First, about the Tektronix TSR-170A generator font. Was there ever a "$" character used for those SMPTE color bar test graphics?

Also, I know there was a different font used for WABC's EIA color bars which used two lines, which read "WABC-TV" on one line, and "NEW YORK" and the second line. Could there be a font exactly like that available on the internet, and if so, what is the name of the font?

Thank you so much William. Take care always.

Best,
Chris Kennedy

 

[wbhist]

It would appear WABC-TV used a different test pattern generator from Tektronix'. The 5 x 7 size type on that generator was also seen on some examples (dating back to 1975) of Philips PM5544 patterns on Australian TV channels (i.e. TEN10, 7 Network). I also know that typeface on some of the electronic route/destination sign displays on buses from the 1980's until the '90's when larger displays came to the fore. A few examples are on:
http://home.iprimus.com.au/toddemslie/George_Palmer_ABGS1_Mt_Gambier_pm5544.jpg
http://www.oodletuz.fsnet.co.uk/oz_tc/ATN7_tc.jpg
http://www.oodletuz.fsnet.co.uk/oz_tc/ABC_News.jpg
http://www.radiomarconi.com/marconi/ancona/valcamonica/amarcord/telemontecarlo_1983.jpg
http://img.youtube.com/vi/tGW0Uugbs1Y/0.jpg
http://ing-sat.what.hu/images/hun-monoszkop/image017.jpg
http://img503.imageshack.us/i/jrtljubljanahr1.jpg/

 

[chriskennedycardsharks]

Thanks again William,

I happened to do a google search on that 5x7 typeface, and it was a fast one, and found one exactly like that. It happens to be a font called "Apple ][" that they used, hence, it was used on Apple II computers. That particular Tektronix font seems exactly like the Apple II font.

Now back to the Tektronix TSR-170A generator. Would the puncuation characters used for color bar graphics with that generator, include every single one, say like the puncuation characters found on a typical PC Keyboard, especially the "$"?

Thank you so much again William.

Have a great day.

Best,
Chris

 

[compubit]

Apple ][ is a 5x7 font, but the Tektronix larger text appears to be a 7x9 matrix. I would assume that the character set would include the standard 96 ASCII characters (32 - 127) - with possibly some bank "switching" for some of the standard accented Western European characters (Ö, ß. Ñ, É, Ç, etc.) (similar to what you had to do using the Apple ][...)