EMI 2001 - Generating The Image

Generating The Image

Unlike most colour tube cameras of the period, which combined the output from three colour tubes at the same stage before the signals left the camera and made white light by combining the output from all three colour tubes, and the Marconi MkVII, which added the output of the three colour tubes to the output from the luminance (black and white) tube, the EMI 2001 took the output of the green tube as a starting point for the picture, added the colour from the red and blue tubes and then added the output from the luminance tube. Unlike the others, the luminance tube in an EMI 2001 wasn't used for taking white light, but it was used for the sharpness and fine picture detail of whatever object was the subject to be taken.

This image was electronically added on top after the output from the red and blue tubes was electronically added to the green one.

This was the part of the camera's design that was designed by BBC engineers, as they realised that the most natural colour could be achieved this way.