Year book of motion pictures (1951)

SOUND EQUIPMENT Ballantyne Augments Royal Soundmaster RX Series gALLANTYNE CO. last year offered two new Royal Soundmaster RX series drive-in theate' amplifier system. One is the RX-11 complete amplifier system for single channel for drive-ins with capacities up to 400 cars. It comprises one RX-220 pre-amplifier (with one RX-22 tube complement), one RX-2327 "AC" exciter supply and booth monitor, one RX-224 power amplifier (with one RX-226 tube complement) and one RX-228-B wiring channel. The other is the RX-12 complete amplifier system for dual channel use where the capacity is up to 800 cars. It is made up of one RX-220 pre-amplifier (with one RX-22 tube complement), one RX-2327 "AC" exciter supply and booth monitor, two RX-224 power amplifier (with two RX-226 tube complements), one RX-228-B wiring channel and one RX-229 dual amplifier selecter switch. Optional in both instances is an RX-228-A ramp control panel. The MX and RX series units are interchangeable. Multiple Drive-in Amplifier Systems from Motiograph ^MONG DEVELOPMENTS credited to Motiograph last year were multiple amplifier sound systems for drive-in theaters which, according to Fred C. Matthews, vice-president, "make possible better sound and emergency facilities at lower cost." The firm also placed on the market a new junction box for drive-in theater in-car speakers. The item was held to reduce "materially" the cost of in-car speaker equipment, wiring and ramp switching equipment. New Magnetic Recorder Designed by J. A. Maurer J. A. MAURER, INC., during 1950 virtually completed the design of a magnetic recorder utilizing either 16mm perforated magnetic film or 17.5mm (split 3 5mm) magnetic film. This year will see this unit available on the commercial market provided, of course, that the national defense situation permits its manufacture. The same restrictions on manufacture may apply to new and improved models of the 16mm film phonograph and the new Model "F" 16mm sound-on-film recording system. All are scheduled for 1951 production. The new recording system represents the fruit of more than two years' research. Much Activity by Int'l on Simplex X-L Sound System JNTERNATIONAL PROJECTOR CORP. engaged in much activity on its new Simplex X-L sound system. Reliability, efficiency and ease of maintenance were asserted to have been the guiding principles in the design, development and manufacture of the equipment. The system employs alternative power amplifiers, one rated at 20 watts and the other at 60. Both amplifiers use a novel direct coupled drive circuit, over-all negative feedback and a 500-ohm low impedance input circuit. The input circuit is said not to be prone to electrical pickup and other interference problems. The system possesses features which permit it to maintain a constant sound level under conditions of varying supply voltage and insure long trouble-free operation without the need for replacing parts, such as rectifier tubes, according to the firm. It is equipped with what is described as a novel sound changeover switch. A feature of the soundhead is a double exciter lamp turret assembly which replaces the 4-Star type plug-in lamp unit. Fairchild Synchronous Tape Recording, Playback System JjAIRCHILD Recording Equipment Corp., gave the film industry in 1950 a new synchronous quarter-inch tape recording and playback system which was adopted at once for TV sound track recording. Automatic framing controls enable simultaneous start and automatic lip-synchronous lock-in of projector and kinescope equipment with the Fairchild quarter-inch tape equipment. A control track generator which conveniently adapts professional magnetic tape machines to synchronous sound track recording was also introduced by Fairchild and widely adopted by film producers. This quarter-inch magnetic recording and playback equipment is known as the Fairchild PicSync system. The Fairchild production line for 1951 includes a magnetic film recorder, magnetic film dubber and synchronous editors for both magnetic tape and magnetic film to enable complete sound track production and editing for films of all types and lengths. Westrex Finds Greater Foreign Demand for Equipment ^^^ESTREX CORP.'s shipments during 1950 reflected a widespread demand for increased quantities of theater and studio equipment throughout the world. Additional lines were taken on during the year to augment the range of quality materials offered by Westrex and its subsidiaries. There was a definite trend in 1950 toward the installation of complete new sound and projection equipment as exhibitors in the foreign field realized the growing importance to patrons of top quality performance. A large number of theater owners purchased modern sound equipment, new projectors and more efficient arc lamps. Others modernized their sound systems with the latest types of Western Electric backstage loudspeaker systems. The company reports a growing quanity of orders for its recently developed 100watt amplifier system. The need for more light