Equipment for hire

Equipment produced by "Marconi".

Marconi - The UK's broadcasting 'jack of all trades' and the most successful exporter of capital broadcast equipment.

The Marconi Mk II TV camera appeared first in 1951. A 3"inch Image Orthicon, this camera type was used mainly on outside broadcasts by the BBC. It covered the 1953 Coronation broadcast. Also used by CBC TV in Canada

The Marconi Mk III 4.5 inch Image orthicon 4-lens turret camera, appeared first in late 1954 and soon was used by most major broadcasters. Using an innovative tilting viewfinder, this large and heavy tv camera was highly reliable, especially on outside broadcasts (up in planes, on board ships). This camera was most famously used as the opening credits of BBC Televisions' 'Grandstand' programme. Picture shows the camera 'dressed' for a recent production.

Portable version of the Marconi MkIX three-tube colour camera. Shoulder-mounted or pedestal use.

Classic four lens image orthicon television camera. Best selling ever camera in its class.

Portable version of Marconi MkVIII studio/OB camera. Requires electronics 'backpacked' (as shown) or 'golf trolley' carried.

Studio/OB mid-sized 3 tube colour TV camera. First ever with automatic line-up.

Black and white 4.5 inch Image Orthicon zoom lensed camera. Similar in style (but smaller) to the colour Marconi MkVII

The one that never was - never produced in quantity. Appeared 1986.

Studio/OB colour TV camera developed from the MK VIII. Popular in the UK during the 1980's, particularly with ITV. (LWT, Anglia etc)

Very large 4 tube plumbicon colour TV camera for studio and OB use. Used by BBC, ITV and numerous countries around the world.

14" high quality all valve black and white monitor. Four fully working avaialable (see also the associated Marconi Mk IV Picture & Waveform monitor). Picture shows all four working on location for 'Showbands' (RTE production).

Mk IV series all valve picture AND waveform monitor all in one case. Five fully functioning units available. Excellent pictures. Found in production galleries, OB trucks and engineering areas.

Following in the tradition of the Mk III and Mk IV picture AND waveform monitors in one case, the Mk V is an all transistor design capable of very good results. Currently 6 out of the stock of 11 are in good working order.

Small screen Marconi Mk IV series black and white monitor. Ideal as a commentator's monitor or for desk top use. The one example in stock is fuly operational

General purpose black and white monitor from the early 1950's. One in good working order, the other can be made into 'simulated practical' if required.

Built by the Marconi Company in 1967 as one of a pair to start off Yorkshire Television in colour, this unit now belongs to Golden Age Television and has been fitted out with a view to facilitate re-creations from the early 1960's to the early 1980's by changing out some key items (mainly monitors). Now operational and available with a selection of monitors and cameras the unit has already been used in 'The Royal' for ITV and is currently in blue/white/silver and 'Tyne Tees' logos (removable). The vehicle is fully road legal, is 32 feet long and weighs 12 tons. Packed full of vintage equipment in four areas, production, sound, engineering control and engineering racks. The production areas lend themselves very well to gallery reconstructions with views through. Please enquire for further details.

Believed to be the first colour outside broadcast unit in service with ITV. Built by Southern Television Ltd. in 1968, coachwork by Del of Southampton, electronics mainly by Marconi, this vehicle retired in 1995 after several refits. Now restored to 1968 operational status with four working Marconi Mk VII colour cameras, this is a window into early colour TV operation in the UK. The vehicle (a Bedford VAL) is 34 ft long, weighs 11 tons and is fully road legal. Unusual 'longitudinal' layout with sound, production and engineering laid longways in the manner of a corridor train. Wood panel interior. Comes complete with 30 ft pneumatic mast. Now in original 'Southen Television colours and logos. Logos require separate negotiation. Please enquire for further details.

Portable all valve microphone mixer. Still works very well! Lights up and the VU meter needle flicks in response.

General purpose 'Drainpipe'caption/CCTV/Industrial/Military 1" vidicon TV camera. Currently, one fully operational unit. See also roller caption machine.

For presentation studios, educational, corporate video studio or budeget broadcast use. Novel waveform monitor built into the rear of the camera.

Full spec oscilloscope.

A rare Marconi-BBC Type 'B' ribbon microphone, developed in 1937 for use mainly on obs. This microphone, weighing in at 1.7kgs could be floor-mounted or suspended. BBC photos of the period show the microphone in widespread WWII use (eg: Grace Fields, ITMA,'Workers Playtime'). Large and imposing, the mic pictured (dressed with a BBC logo)is in working condition. This actual mic was used by The International Broadcasting Company in their London, 35 Portland Place studios for Radio Normandy, a famous pre-war 'commercial pirate' radio broadcaster. The larger picture shows the mic on a heavy duty stand. Hire of this item under strict conditions. (Technical note). Over 4" inches in diameter, this ribbon mic was made possible by the use of Alnico alloy (aluminium-nickel-cobalt) for the magnet, which allowed a small circular magnet to be used rather than the large horseshoe-shaped magnet of the Type A mic. The type 'B' mic became popular for OBs and sports commentaries. It could be fitted to a breastplate, worn by the commentator. This ensured that the mic was always facing him as he turned to follow the action. This system was not totally successful and ultimately it led to the development of the L1 lip mic in the same year. (Chris Owen- Senior BBC engineer)