The 1973 Washington D.C. NAB Show saw the first digital video processing product introduced, the Consolidated Video Systems (CVS) 500 digital timebase corrector (TBC). This began a digital television revolution of better, more compact TV equipment and with it unprecedented expansion of the TV industry. The CVS 500 enabled time base correction of video played back from small, low cost, helical video tape recorders to facilitate editing, graphics and even broadcasting. This in turn allowed helical recorders to be used for news gathering and other remote production. The 2023 NAB Convention marks the 50th anniversary of the start of that digital revolution.
The first CVS 500 became operational shortly before the show, too late to set up on the floor, and was shown in a hotel suite. People wanting to see this remarkable innovation soon filled the hallway. Sales were made, reps signed and dozens of after show demos were scheduled. The CVS 500’s instant success was recognized by the presentation of a 1973-1974 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development to Consolidated Video Systems. Inventors Mike Tallent; Lee Scaggs; Al Swain; Ron Harrison; and Bill Hendershot received U.S. Patent 3,960,952 for the Video Time Base Corrector on January 14, 1975, the first of many.
TBCs and other digital video devices allowed small television producers to provide quality programming, forever changing the industry. The adoption of this technology, not to mention the granted patents, are a tribute not only to CVS and its inventors, but to U.S. Innovation.
The 1973-74 Primetime Emmy Award, given to Consolidated Video Systems for outstanding achievement in engineering development.
– J. Carl Cooper | Reno, Nev.
J. Carl Cooper is owner of Cooper Labs.
You were just glued to the screen. That song came on the radio. The best NAB Show you ever attended.
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