Hey, first post so apologies if this is the wrong place to put it...
A while back I was watching cable, and switched over to BBC3 (this is in the UK, using NTL's digital cable service). When I switched to BBC3, the screen showed what looked to me like an image from an electron microscope, there was no sound, and the image remained constant for a long time. All the other channels appeared as normal. I can't remember how long this weird image was on the screen, but it eventually disappeared - not before I managed to take this photo:

Sorry for the small image - I use dial up so don't want to spend ages uploading huge files... if anyone wants I could try uploading a bigger pic.
Can anyone explain what it is?

Cheers
Gareth

May be worthwhile emailing NTL or BBC3 and send them them picture

Have done so now - but I won't hold my breath for a reply!

The pic is too small.....if you can do a bigger version that would help a lot.

Cool - when I get a chance (probably tomorrow) I'll upload a frame from the video itself, that way there won't be any reflections like the photo of the TV, and should give a better idea of what was actually there.

Yeah i would opt for a bigger photo too, can't wait to see it.

wow, that's pretty interesting, i would also like to be added to the list of those in favor of a bigger image

Personally I think it's just a huge British Broadcasting Corporation conspiracy. They're producing images on their channels that feed subliminal messages into your brain: buy an electron microcope, buy an electron microscope...

Never trusted that BBC anyway, what with the absence of adverts, programmes like Eastenders and that eerie "thing" they call Natasha Kaplinsky...




I'll shut up

too hard to tell... can't wait to see the big pic... sorta looks like a shell in the small picture

Looks like sand or a beach setting.

I also see Alf in there haha (it was a show a while back... for those who don't know)

good grief!! how do any of you see anything in that pic... its two small, only two basic colors, and its so abstract! you must really be right brained people.

Quick update - NTL emailled me back saying they can't help, and I'm waiting for a response from the BBC. I'll upload a still from the video I took tonight, and I'll make it as large as possible.

sorry, another update! Have made the image in my original post a bit bigger (see above).

Open University....they screen on bbc and often there will be frozen images on OU programs

Could be, but this was BBC3, which as far as I know doesn't show OU. Also, the image was on screen for several minutes with no sound. When I get home I'll check the image file to check exactly when I took it and see if I can get hold of some old TV listings to see what was being broadcast.

Funny, that's not how I remember ALF...

Right then, I have uploaded a frame grab from the video here: BBC3 image
According to iPhoto, where I save all my photos, it was taken at 7.31pm (UK time) on 11th September 2004.

September 11???

Strange

In light of that date, is there any chance the BBC could have been holding a one minute silence for the atrocities which happened three years previously?
Obviously, that could explain the lack of sound you have mentioned, but as for the image, my mind changes it into many different things when I look at it, so I'm really not sure!

Has anyone else got any new opinions?

I solved this at the weekend! The image is a still from the not-very-good horror film The Relic. It shows someone's hand holding a drill thing to some kind of 'relic' (hence the name of the film). Meanwhile a monster is on the rampage in a museum trying to kill Tom Sizemore....
I still have no idea why the BBC was broadcasting a freeze frame from this film, but at least I know what the image is now!

Someone please read my forum it is the topic: "IS IT TRUE?!" I kinda need some help