A Teletext-like system was available that I think was called Eco-fax - we had that at my high school. In schools, BBC Micros could be networked together using the Econet system. It was mostly used by text-based programs, though there was the odd action game implemented in it - I remember a rendition of Space Invaders that used Mode 7. Given the computer only originally had 16-32 Kb of RAM, this mode using only 1 Kb was handy to have. When the BBC Micro was introduced in 1981, this included a graphics mode ( Mode 7) that natively supported teletext graphics. Unfortunately,it is not possible to replace the existing Austext system with new equipment except at significant cost. This equipment has now reached the end of its lifespan. The Austext service today is still provided using the original 1970’s technology. The Seven Network started providing test Teletext services in 1977, with live services commencing in 1982 in Brisbane and Sydney. THE AUSTEXT SERVICE WILL CLOSE ON 30 SEPTEMBER 2009. In Australia, it ended in part because the original equipment was at end-of-life, no doubt combined with the rise of the Internet for getting that sort of information. In Australia it was called Austext (1982 to 2009) and broadcast on Channel 7.Īpart from screens of information, the technology was also used to provide captions for TV programs (in Australia on page 801 on all networks). The BBC implemented it as Ceefax (1974 to 2012), and numerous other broadcasters in PAL countries also used it. Teletext was developed in the 1970s in Britain as a way of sending information (text and basic colour graphics) in a PAL television signal.
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