VISIOPHONE / VIDEOPHONE

Technical data

Here is the Biarritz Optical Fiber Experiment main component, the Visiophone, aka Videophone.

Started in 1981 that project ended in 1991. In 1984, it allows some 1500 subscribers
to receive voice, picture and music through a dedicated optical fiber network.


The overall cost was around 400 000F per subscriber...


After the end of the experiment, most of these 'visophones' were dismantled and
converted as cowshed monitoring units for farmers in south west France.

Only a few units were saved among them the one pictured below.

Many thanks to Michel for such a wonderful gift that remembers me the one my
grandmother had lent for her grandchildren.

Pictures

Front Face
Rear view
Camera view
Minitel Keyboard


Last revision: 2008/05/13