International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1957)

by the use of two power amplifiers with the surround channel. One amplifier feeds the ceiling speaker while the other, differently adjusted, feeds the under-balcony speakers. That is why our sound system contains 7 amplifiers even though the complete Todd-AO sound system has only 6 sound tracks. The ceiling location for the surround speakers was possible at the Syosset because of the modern design of the theatre and would not be feasible in many theatres of older design. The entire sound reproduction system is the most modern possible. Any known system of motion picture sound recording can be accommodated, whether it be standard optical, 4-track CinemaScope stereosound or 6-track stereophonic sound. A simple switching device mounted on the projector head feeds the signal from either the magnetic or optical pickups to the amplifying system. The magnetic soundhead is unusual in that it contains 10 magnetic-track pickups in a single cluster. When 70-mm film is in the projector, 6 of the pickups are registered against the striping on the Tv>dd-AO print. The other 4 pickups register against the soundtracks when the 35-mm CinemaScope film is being run. 35 to 70-mm Conversion Both magnetic and optical soundheads are integral with the projector head and are manufactured by Philips of Eindhoven in Holland. The amplifiers are manufactured by the Ampex Corp., Redwood City, Calif. The method by which certain components on the Todd-AO projector are Interior of the spacious projection room at the Syosset Theatre where both 35 and 70-mm film is projected. The two Todd-AO projectors and Ashcraft Super Cinex lamps can be seen at the left. In the foreground are large film cases used for carrying 70-mm prints of "Oklahoma." The author adjusts the 7-channel Ampex power amplifier shown in the background. The arc lamps burn 13.6 mm carbons at about 150 amperes. switched to convert from 70-mm to 35-mm projection have been described before, but since this is the first regular installation where such a procedure has been followed by the regular projection crew, 1 will describe our routine. It takes one of our twoman crews less than one-half hour to prepare for a switch. The actual steps necessary in converting the projector to a different gauge film are as follows: 1 ) Change the top pad roller assembly. 2) Change gate assembly. 3) Change aperture plate. 4) Change lower hold-back pad roller assembly. 5) Change projector lens. 6) Change magnetic reproducer idler roller. 7) Change film tension bands. Also, depending on the type of arc lamp used, certain lamp adjustments K» V %,*=~«r Projectionist Herb Butterworth, member of Local 640, examining dualpurpose Todd-AO projector. Magnetic and optical soundheads are integral with the projector head. may be necessary to obtain a large or smaller aperture spot. With the new Ashcraft Super Cinex lamps employed at the Syosset, different mirrors are used for 35-mm and 70-mm projection. Theatres like the Syosset may well be the answer to many questions with regard the future of the indoor theatre. Complaints about poor projection are widespread and most of these complaints can be traced to inadequate, outmoded auditoriums where first-class wide-screen projection is difficult or even impossible. Complaints of this kind need never occur about a modern auditorium such as the Syosset. Tn addition, we are able to obtain the quality screen image possible with 70-mm prints whenever these prints are available. Electronics Boom Predicted In ten years, electronics will be an $18,000,000,000 business, according to RCA president Frank M. Folsom. Folsom, speaking at the opening of the new $1,400,000 center of the RCA Distributing Corp. in Los Angeles, asserted that in a decade electronics will have a 60% rise over its present business level, and would be well up among the five top manufacturing industries in this country. In the last ten years RCA has tripled the size of its facilities. New Paromel Distributor Theatrical Equipment Co., of Honolulu, has been appointed exclusive distributor of Paromel-DeVry sound projection equipment in the Hawaiian Islands. Theatrical Equipment Co. is headed by R. H. Jackson. The firm will carry a complete line of Paromel-DeVry equipment together with repair parts for all models of DeVry projectors. 12 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST • JANUARY 1957