The Duoscopic TV
In 1954, DuMont came out with a "Duoscopic" TV set that allowed two people to watch different programs on the same set, simultaneously. From Newsweek (Jan 11, 1954):
It was priced at $600. So in 2015 money, that would be approximately $5304 (according to the US Inflation Calculator). At that price tag, it made more sense for couples with different viewing preferences to just buy 2 TV sets and sit in separate rooms.
There's more info about the Duoscopic TV at the Early Television Museum. On that site, there's also speculation that DuMont originally developed the Duoscopic TV as a 3D TV, but decided they couldn't get that to work fully, so they repackaged it as a "watch 2 channels simultaneously" TV.
"When a husband wants to look at the fights and his wife prefers a situation comedy, the Duoscopic provides both at the same time. The set contains two screens and a special mirror that throws one picture onto the other, creating a double image. Polaroid windows filter out the unwanted image, and special earphones carry the separate sound tracks."
It was priced at $600. So in 2015 money, that would be approximately $5304 (according to the US Inflation Calculator). At that price tag, it made more sense for couples with different viewing preferences to just buy 2 TV sets and sit in separate rooms.
There's more info about the Duoscopic TV at the Early Television Museum. On that site, there's also speculation that DuMont originally developed the Duoscopic TV as a 3D TV, but decided they couldn't get that to work fully, so they repackaged it as a "watch 2 channels simultaneously" TV.
Comments
The other night we were out mall crawling and stopped into my favorite toy store. There we saw a very, very large TV for only €18,999 ($20,000+) and, right next to it was the big on!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 12/11/15 at 10:15 AM
Probably had trouble figuring out how to display interlaced images with orthogonal polarizations.
Posted by RobK on 12/11/15 at 11:47 AM
I want some of the 3D goggles for Xmas. Who's gonna send them ? Thanks in advance.
Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 12/11/15 at 12:49 PM
I remember Dumont mainly as a network owner and as the sponsor of Jackie Gleason's early television shows. Remember the references to "Captain Video" in the "Honeymooners"? It was only later that I learned that the company was also a set manufacturer. Nothing like sponsoring shows for your product.
The first digital television receiver I saw was on display at the California State Fair in 1994. It was 18 inches diagonal and priced at $10,000.
Today the same set size is priced at the local Wal-Mart at about $125.
The first digital television receiver I saw was on display at the California State Fair in 1994. It was 18 inches diagonal and priced at $10,000.
Today the same set size is priced at the local Wal-Mart at about $125.
Posted by KDP on 12/11/15 at 02:03 PM
Maybe I could get a government grant to study this?
Starting with a few people with dissociative identity disorder (split personality), the study would be to see if two of the personalities could watch separate shows at the same time.
I know it wouldn't work, but that doesn't preclude it from getting the grant.
Starting with a few people with dissociative identity disorder (split personality), the study would be to see if two of the personalities could watch separate shows at the same time.
I know it wouldn't work, but that doesn't preclude it from getting the grant.
Posted by BMN on 12/11/15 at 02:04 PM
Sybil would need a TV room like the control room at a TV station for your study BMN.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 12/11/15 at 11:52 PM
@BMN: If I understand everything I don't know about digital 3D sets... The frame rate is close to 50fps and every other frame is show thru oscillating lesnes of the glasses while the opposite lense is blanked.
So, there's your start, now run with it and keep us apprised of your progress. Oh... I mean progress about getting the grant, I'd expect to be hired as a consultant, at least.
So, there's your start, now run with it and keep us apprised of your progress. Oh... I mean progress about getting the grant, I'd expect to be hired as a consultant, at least.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 12/12/15 at 12:17 AM
@Patty: Most people only have two eyes and ears. To get more than "channels" it would mean neural implants. This would need another grant. If you are interested, you can be VP of this section.
@Expat: A normal movie film speed is 24 FPS, so your 50 FPS is probably correct. This is a government grant, so we don't need to be that close. I will need a VP of PR. Are you open?
@Expat: A normal movie film speed is 24 FPS, so your 50 FPS is probably correct. This is a government grant, so we don't need to be that close. I will need a VP of PR. Are you open?
Posted by BMN on 12/12/15 at 04:18 PM
That should be [two "channels"]. I also need a proof reader and editor.
Posted by BMN on 12/12/15 at 04:23 PM
I'd love a new job, how's the pay honey?
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 12/12/15 at 09:19 PM
@BMN: At a $2M base salary, platinum expense account, and a $20M golden umbrella, hell yea I'm in!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 12/12/15 at 11:13 PM
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Category: Technology | Television | 1950s