Broadcasting Telecasting (Oct-Dec 1957)

MANUFACTURING THE FAMILY DENVER Denver families buy the products and services they see advertised on KBTV because KBTV is the only Denver station programmed for the entire family . . . For the highest-rated one-minute availabilities, Daytime or Nighttime in Denver, see Peters, Griffin, Woodward, Inc. NOW! KBTV 61 John C. Midlins President Denver's Family Station Joe Herold Station Manager First Ampex VR1,000 Expected in November Complete interchangeability of video tapes among all production units and a means of editing the tapes without losing the synchronization pulses are among the new features included in the production model of the Ampex videotape recorder VR1,000, a machine that records tv pictures and sound on magnetic tape. First machine of the production model, priced at $46,000, is scheduled to be completed in November, Neal K. McNaughten, manager of the professional products division of Ampex Corp., said last week. Reporting a backlog of orders for more than 100 units, Mr. McNaughten said deliveries will be on schedule as anticipated earlier this year. He did not mention the strike that shut down production for a month this summer but his statement obviously was designed to allay fears by purchasers that they might have to wait longer than originally expected. Ampex has made no public announcement of the new editing device but it has been discussed at scientific meetings. When questioned last week, a company spokesman said it is far enough along to be ready by November. Its main features are a simple visual process for locating exactly the place on the tape where the deletion is to be made and a splicing device that will do the job without losing the sync pulse that keeps picture and sound together. In addition to the editing and the interchangeability of tapes, these production models also include an improved electronic layout allowing easy accessibility for maintenance; a new control panel design for maximum simplicity of operations and facilities for complete remote control of all operational functions of the machine, the company stated. Preproduction prototypes of the Ampex video tape recorders were delivered to the major tv networks late in 1956 and early in 1957 and since then they have been in heavy use for delayed programming of network tv shows in black and white. Ampex, along with other organizations, is known to be working hard to perfect a recorder for color programs, but no progress report has been issued nor has any date been announced by any of them for the completion of this project. Round Shadow-Mask Tube For Color in Production at RCA Mass production of a new, round, glass shadow-mask-type picture tube for color television is underway at the Lancaster, Pa., plant of RCA electron tube division, it was announced by John B. Farese, manager, entertainment tube products. "The tube (RCA-21CYP22), which utilizes a newly developed graded-hole shadow mask which permits increased light output from the screen, is capable of producing brilliant pictures in both full color and black-and-white measuring 19V4 by 15Vi inches with a projected area of 261 square inches," Mr. Farese said. At the same time the RCA semiconductor division announced new developments, according to Dr. A. M. Glover, general manager of the division. Six new machines have been developed which will increase production, facilitate assembly and reduce manufacturing costs of transistors. Also developed for marketing are eight junction transistors of the germanium p-n-p type intended primarily for use in compact entertainment-type receivers. MANUFACTURING SHORTS General Motors Corp. JM'i . Page 82 * October 14, 1957 Oldsmobile Div.'s optional accessory, trans-portable radio [Man ufacturing, Sept. 30], is alltransistor set with own speaker loop antenna and dry cell batteries, reportedly good for 160 playing hours. Installed, trans-por-tqw A^'A table fits into inI^Hbw ^ strument panel — automatically plugging into car's electrical system — using its outside antenna and loud speaker. Developed by company's Delco radio division and Oldsmobile, set weighs less than three pounds, is 6V2 inches long and is finished in leather-like plastic. Sarkes Tarzian Inc., Bloomington, Ind., announces order for two long range microwave relay units from Alabama Educational Tv Commission. Visual Electrics Corp., N. Y., announces availability of new Orth Saver unit to preserve and extend useful life of image orthicon tv camera tubes by reportedly eliminating both target and photo cathode "burn-in" through fully optical image orbiting. Visual Electronics claims its unit is "complete" and does not need accessory devices. Unit sells for $2,400. Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N. Y., announces Model 275 16 mm tv projector, for use with Vidicon-type camera in projecting film into a tv system. Using two 60cycle, a-c synchronous motors to provide constant film speed and uniform application of light, with two additional motors to cool tungsten-lamp light source and drive take-up mechanism. Provision is made for addition of magnetic sound head for playback of magnetic sound tracked film and sound system terminates in transformer with taps to match standard impedance values. Model 275 is equipped with Kodak 4-inch f/ 1.5 projection Ektar lens and among other features there is stand-by projection lamp. Broadcasting