British Kinematography (1950)

Jan., 1950 standardisation and the kinema 19 Where electrical equipment, such as arc rectifiers, was concerned, mechanical dimensions were not particularly important : there was not the necessity for interchangeability, as replacement of plant in a kinema was always accompanied by other major changes. Standardisation of such plant was therefore concerned with performance. The proposals for such standardisation had arisen in connection with Home Office regulations, and it had been found that the manufacturers of the equipment were in favour of such standardisation. From the point of view of the Home Office, standardisation of electrical performance was desirable as a guarantee of safety in use. Standardisation from the point of view of manufacturers would mean a reduction in the number of types of equipment to be made, and hence a reduction in manufacturing costs. Standards and the Exhibitor The reaction of the kinema proprietors was interesting : the largest kinema circuits appreciated the advantages to them of such standardisation in the form of guaranteed performance and reduction in manufacturing costs ; but curiously the smaller kinema proprietors were inclined to be suspicious. They feared that any co-operation between manufacturers and the Home Office authorities would have the effect of making their present equipment obsolete, and of making new equipment more elaborate and therefore more expensive. The converse is true, because of the reduction in manufacturing costs by standardisation ; while at the same time, the small kinema proprietor will have a guarantee of performance which obviously he has not had, and has had to rely on past experience, or experience of his friends in near-by towns. In the past, the lack of a standard as a guarantee of performance has hampered progress, so that again, standardisation, instead of hindering progress as is sometimes suggested, would in fact hasten it, because whereas in the past any new idea was looked upon with suspicion until some purchaser was venturesome enough to try it, any such new designs would now carry with them a guarantee of satisfactory performance. One only has to look at the sound industry in its early stages as an example of what can happen when there is no standard of quality. INTERNATIONAL STANDARDISATION Major C. H. Bell, O.B.E. M.B.K.S.* IN our endeavour to standardise we are inclined to be national rather than international. If we are to become international, then designs of equipment generally must be in line with that of other countries. I am not referring to the aesthetic side but rather to dimensional standards such as optical centre heights, etc. I am inclined, generally, to blame the user for the maintenance of obsolete standards. I think the time has come when manufacturers should refuse to make out-of-date non-standard equipment. At the present time, if a customer is prepared to pay, manufacturers will make up any old equipment to suit his requirements. That, in my opinion, is economically unsound, both from the point of view of the manufacturer and the customer. One of the best things that the British Standards Institution has done recently, is the introduction of a standard of projection lenses. British lenses are sold all over the world, and if manufactured in accordance with the agreed standard will fit perfectly into any modern projector. Regarding the projectionist the question of standardisation very rarely affects him, as he is generally dealing with his own projection room and what * G. B. Kalee Ltd.