The Cine Technician (1938-1939)

1 1 1 T HE CI X E-T E (' 11 X I C I A N Nov.-Dec., 1938 APPLICATIONS OF ELECTRONICS TO THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF K I N E M ATOG R APH Y Applications to Sound: The applications of thermionic multiplier tubes and multiplier cells in this particular field can have great results by introducing compactness into the equipment with possible improvements in quality of reproduction. Also I sec useful immediate applications of cathode ray tubes to sound recording control — even recording itself; also to providing new measurement devices for studying the acoustics of cinemas, and the distribution of sound in them with, finally, the automatic control of sound volume to a given standard. Applications to the Picture: For the picture in its progress through the camera, processing, printing and projection stages, even though a fixed technique exists which has little relation to the electronic art, I can see many minor uses for electronic methods which would be of great assistance in saving costs of production and providing a more uniform product. An interesting example of research is taking place in studying the grain size of various emulsions and the effect on gain ol the processes -to which the emulsions are subjected. This lias been done very effectively h\ means of a recording microscope using a photo-electric cell, thus making it possible to give a reasonably true measurement ol the grain size and of the distribution o/ different sizes of grain. The use of photo-electric methods of li^ht measurement is by no means universal amongst cameramen, but I believe that if scientific methods were adopted in this connection and if film printers were available with an RECENT HISTORY OF LARGE SCREEN ILLUMINATION (ON SCREEN 8-k (,') MICH UCKf ILLUMINATION mm JAN. JULY JAN J'J'_Y ISM 1337 g*J ~t'~;i A ILLUMINATION TALLIN& ON SCSKN B (OUTVALINT ILLW/I^ATIQH "JM1N USlHC CLASS felAOtP SC.^EfN C COUIYALCNT ILLUMINATION Vlti USINC SPECIAL SCBiEN WHICH BCfLCCTS IWKT ONLY INTO THf API A OCCUPlfP CT SOTS. Figure 3. STORAGE PROJECTION SYSTEM Figure 4. automatic photoelectric control of the printer light (which could be used in all cases except where special effects are desired) then there would be much saving of time spent in the process of estimating printer exposures, and much greater unformity achieved throughout prints distributed lor projection. Such uniformity or rather standardisation of prints will become a very necessary matter when the problem of screen brightness is solved as it will be, in all probability, with photoelectric methods. From the point of view of studio lighting there appears to be a great future in the gas discharge lamp as, for example, the high pressure mercury vapour luminescent powder lamp. THE POSSIBILITIES OF AN A L LE L ECT RO N I C SYSTEM The following general types of equipment are available at the moment: — 1. A camera which can be used under reasonaide conditions of lighting. It has certain faults such as small depth of focus, and the presence of certain shadow effects which occasionally mar the picture, and insufficient detail for our purpose and also possiblv a limited contrast range. I am being critical. 2. A method either means of a short wave radio relay or a cable connection of limited range, w hereby the pictures provided by the camera, used either under fixed studio conditions or interest items, are linked to a central distribution system in a manner which, though often successful, for the time being cannot be regarded as show ing 100% reliability and quality. 3. A radio distribution system which though thoroughly effective as far as it goes, has a very limited range, says only 20 miles or less, where reception can be guaranteed tree from interference. As an alternative we can visualise a high definition underground cable distribution system which can have a reasonable range but the setting up of which involves the expenditure of a very large sum of money. (Continued at foot of page 116)