Ever turned on the TV past midnight, or for some, even during Tuesday afternoons, only to see this on the screen?
The sight of lines, shapes and colours may be all too familiar to some, especially those that lived in the 1980s and 90s. Such a sight, however, is likely not seen anymore due to advancements in technology.
This is known as a TV test card. It is a pattern or image that is displayed on a TV screen to help adjust the settings of the TV or to test the quality of the TV signal. TV test cards were commonly used when TVs needed more adjustment to display a clear and accurate picture, of which this process is automatic now.
Reliving nostalgia
For Tampines residents, they'll be able to see the TV test card everyday, and it's not because they haven't switched to newer TVs. It's thanks to repair and redecoration (R&R) works! Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng, who said he is "particular with design", sat in on meetings and noticed that one of the proposed colour schemes was similar to the TV test pattern screen - hence the design on HDB block exteriors.
10 blocks in Tampines were painted with this design, of which the cache is hidden in one of them - Block 418. To get to the cache:
1. Go to Lift C
2. Take the lift to Level 3
3. Once you exit from the lift, go down the flight of stairs. A red structure should be in front of you.
4. Cache is hidden somewhere on the red structure. Please do not climb onto the concrete wall next to the cache for safety reasons.