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Quantel Paintbox History

were a small company based in Newbury, England that had achieved success by developing early digital video products, notably the innovation of being able to combine two live video feeds by using a framestore. The development of a Paint Box started in the late 70's but the first prototype (utilizing the Intellect hardware) was too jagged quality for Broadcast TV, so the project was completely abandoned and none of the ideas or tech crossed over to the second prototype.

A vital part of this digital studio, that even Alvy Ray-Smith at NYIT gave up trying to make work properly, was to vary the application amount of each mark by using a pressure-sensitive pen, rather than by a click on-off mouse or keyboard. The Paintbox was the first user friendly, real time, 24 bit, full color, broadcast quality, pressure sensitive stylus operated, digital studio in the world and it would be nearly a decade before it faced any serious competition. As is listed on this exhibition stand, Quantel hoped the system could be used for analyzing airborn pollution, coastguard surveillance, sonar signals and weapons testing analysis, as well as the usual Paintbox graphics and image manipulation purposes.

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