"Pictures" via video capture and dot matrix printer

[McFadden, Mike, A]

Robert Greenstreet asked about video capture software and then output on
a dot matrix printer.

I have seen this done in different ways.

In 1976 during the MU engineers week we used a black and white vidicon
TV scanner attached to our PDP-11/20 to scan visitors to the image
analysis lab.  We had the person sit in a chair, hold very still, and
then scanned 3 times using a color wheel to filter the image.  We then
both displayed the image on a RAMTEK display and printed out the image
on a continuous feed printer.  We used 3 printers each with different
color ribbons.  Interesting image if the person moved between colors.  

There are Panasonic dot matrix printers that have a single ribbon that
is 3 colors.  I think they print a line with one color than reprint
without advancing each of the other colors. I think it was slow and
noisy.  I've seen these used in the mall, some little kiosk.  They were
prints on t-shirts.

I think there was a special version Printronix printer that was also
sold by DEC that had multicolor ribbons that would print color.  I think
it had a wire thread in the ribbon that told the printer which color was
being printed.  Maybe DEC LXY11 or P300/P600.

Mike