Introduction

ETP-1 (or Electronic Test Pattern One) was a test card designed and used by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA). After test transmissions from the IBA’s Engineering Regional Operations Centre (ROC) in Croydon from 1978 it was phased in on ITV over a period starting from 1979, replacing, in different ITV regions: Test Card F, Test Card G and full screen height EBU colour bars.

On 18 April 2012, ETP-1 made one final appearance on Channel 4 to announce the loss of analogue television services in the London region. The card was shown from the Crystal Palace transmitter only, and was the last thing broadcast by analogue Channel 4 before the signal was switched off.

Below you will find the technical review and development of the Electronic Test Pattern Generator for the IBA.