Teletext : Does this still work/exist. Did it?

[krycor]

Was watching a random vid on YouTube on Teletext and was wondering..

 

[Fulcrum29]

I have a old Sony Trinitron which supports it, but I don't believe I have ever used TeleText.

 

[krycor]

Yah I see Samsung TVs still support it but I’ve not used it before. I recall seeing it work long ago but I dunno, could be thinking of something else.

 

[B-1]

Used to work for sure but havent tried in years.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Used to work for sure but havent tried in years.

To the extent, it is shown in the YouTube video? I know that it showed weather, perhaps channel and news updates, but it was a long time ago, and wasn't it limited to a single channel in SA?

 

[B-1]

To the extent, it is shown in the YouTube video? I know that it showed weather, perhaps channel and news updates, but it was a long time ago, and wasn't it limited to a single channel in SA?

No not as advanced but some basic graphics and multi color banners etc is what I remember. I remember it being channel specific as well like EPG info etc. But this is long ago for my abused brain.

 

[B-1]

 

[B-1]

 

[Brian_G]

Teletext is still working on one satellite DStv channel - 435 RTPi, the Portuguese channel, in Portuguese of course.

On older decoders anyway, no idea if the Explora etc. can access it.

 

[Park@82]

I used to play with it on our Sony TV as a kid.

 

[Arthur]

The SABC started a test teletext service in the mid-1980s shortly after the Poskantoor started its dial-up videotex service called Beltel, modelled after the UK's Prestel service.

The teletext data (40 x 25 characters in 8 colours) was inserted into the VBI (vertical blanking interval) of analogue terrestrial TV broadcasts, and could be displayed using a teletext decoder. Later, some high-end TVs included a teletext decoder.

I'm pretty sure they abandoned the local teletext project some time in the 1990s.

 

[Brian_G]

I'm pretty sure they abandoned the local teletext project some time in the 1990s.

No, it was a regular service for many years on a single SABC channel, I think it was SABC 3 (else 2).

 

[Brian_G]

It was SABC 2, at least until 2014 when this article was published.

Let me Teledata that for you

In the 1980s, all the information you could possibly need was right there, on your TV screen. News, weather, sport headlines, Curry Cup…

medium.com

 

[Arthur]

No, it was a regular service for many years on a single SABC channel, I think it was SABC 3 (else 2).

Ah, ok. Didn't know that. I seem to recall their service was called Teledata.

I was very involved with Beltel (the P&T videotex service) at the time, and in '87 or '88 briefly consulted with the Teledata people. I never actually used Teledata.