Videotex terminals and systems

Development over 6 years has seen Videotex initially based on adapted domestic television sets and later on Viewdata 80 terminals of which some 15,000 were sold. Poor penetration of the domestic market led to other approaches, besides technical changes, like the Club 403 launched in the Midlands. Technical standards agreed between the PTTs also helped to promote changes. The development of private videotex systems has provided a further market. The current third generation equipment, based on the LUCY chip produced by Mullard Ltd is now promising a better future for Videotex. Other matters which relate to the marketability of terminals are the design of the housings, which should be pleasing and colourful, and the type of keyboards available. The paper ends by discussing aspects of data access and the economics of use.