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This Is The RCA TK44 Prototype Camera

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Eyes Of A Generation.com

Ever See One Of These In Person?

This is the RCA TK44 prototype camera in action at the 1967 NAB. It used an Isocon tube in the luminescence channel and three lead oxide tubes in the chrominance channels. The TK44A dropped the luminescence channel and replaced the lead oxide tubes with Plumbicons and new optics. It cost $74,800 and in January of 1969, the first four were shipped to WBAP in Dallas/Ft Worth for use in their new mobile unit.

There may have been a mock up of this camera made for static display in another part of the ’67 RCA exhibit, but sadly, neither were saved. Actually, none of the RCA prototype cameras exist. I was told by Lou Bazin, (who was the main development engineer on the TK44A and B, TK45, TKP 45, TK76 and many others), that once a camera went into production, the prototypes were picked over for parts in use on other projects. A TK48 was built, but was trashed along with a lot of trade in cameras and new, unshipped and unfinished cameras at Camden when the sale to GE went through and the broadcast division closed.

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2 responses to “This Is The RCA TK44 Prototype Camera”

  1. Warner W. Johnston

    The prototype TK 48 (or at least the last prototype) was brought to the Lab I worked in, where I was to evaluate it with a co-worker. We quickly noticed that rather than edge connectors lots of a large on board connector were used, similar to, if not, Molex connectors.

    One of us asked if the connectors were keyed, these were not only carrying signal, but power. The engineer with the camera assured us they were, pulled one out, with power on, reversed it, and to his amazement plugged it in.

    The camera smoked, literally. We unplugged it from power, the engineer poked at the now charred board several times and left.

    The camera remained in our care for some time, until a crate arrived with shipping instructions. We shipped it out, never to hear from RCA again.

    However the camera had come with a very good, wheeled tripod. No crate had arrived for it, so we kept it. It remained the Lab’s camera tripod until the Lab was shut down about 2010.

    As I recall the video was not quite at the level of the HK-312, but we had not done tests, other than observations with the Mark I eyeball at a gray scale chart.

  2. Luiz Marxsen

    I imagine that the TK-44 never goes to commercial production, and you confirm it, thanks.
    I read that the TK-44 use 3 Isocons for RGB signals instead just one for the luminance channel.
    But the Plumbicons and the “lead oxide tubes” aren’t the same thing?
    Regards…

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