Because Cameras are definitely the part of the picture chain where developments have been most spectacular and visible.

In 40 years there have been around 10 technological revolutions, each causing a complete change in practices and disappearance of previous equipment, e.g.:

Because these 40 years are the “40 glorious years” of Television: all this equipment was manufactured in relatively large quantities, rather than being prototypes as previous Cameras had been...

By 1960, Black-and-White television had already seen considerable developments.

Why show the first CO 301 Camera made by CSF ?

Because it was through merger of the two THOMSON and CSF teams that such innovative products as the TTV 1515 came into being. The technology of that CSF Camera was extraordinary – and so different from that of its rival THOMSON – but its success was much more modest. It is very interesting to compare the technology of these 2 Cameras…

Why not exhibit the “Corporate” products of TAV (Thomson Audio Visuel) ?

Because these products – the THV 11, THV 14 (TTV 1550), THV 20 (TTV 1520) and TAV 1650 – are too far removed from “Broadcast” products. Exhibiting them would cause confusion between these products, at the bottom end of the range, and “Broadcast” products.

Why not show the HDTV Cameras ?

Because that technology was not mature and the Cameras built wer really prototypes, replicated in very small numbers... Today, HDTV is starting again from a new basis : digital processing, CCDs and a world-wide common image format (CIF).

In conclusion, this exhibition only shows those Cameras that have been turning points in the history of television, of which Thomson can be proud, with world firsts such as triax in 1970 and the smallest news Camera in 1976...