Home Movies and Home Talkies (Jun 1933-May 1934)

HOME MOVIES & HOME TALKIES 21 A NEW BOLEX PROJECTOR Notched Titles Now Available in "Nine" and <« Sixteen WHEN the 9.5-mm. size of film was first marketed one of the several advantages claimed for this gauge was tliat much film could be saved and the projec tion time of a reel considerably prolonged by the use of the' filmnotching system. As all Pathe users know, in this make of projector a special stop mechanism, which holds the film stationary during eight turns of the handle, is brought into operation whenever a notch cut in the side of the film comes into the gate. Reel Economy ! Thus, instead of occupying a fairly long strip of film with a title which must be kept on the screen for several seconds, only one or two frames need be used, while if desired the film can be stopped at some iDre-determined point (on a distant view without action, for example) and further film economies effected. With the advent of higher powered lamps, however, it was found that the film became buckled and blistered when kept stationary in the gate for so long, and thus both with the Lux projector using the type S. lamp and the recently introduced 200-B projector, it has been impossible to use the notched titles, nor could still pictures be shown on the screen. The Libraries As there are thousands of excellent notched films in libraries and home collections it has seemed a pity that owners of high power projectors have until now had no choice but to discard these films or else splice in continuous titles — a tiresome and tedious job. It is thus with great interest that we have had an opportunity of testing the latest model Bolex projector which combines all the special advantages of the earlier Model D (availability for either 9.5-mm. or 16-mm. film, still pictures and 250 watt lamp) with an entirely new mechanism which functions perfectly with the notched titles, keeping these on the screen as long as desired. The special mechanism can be thrown in or out of operation at will and when The New Bolex Model DA working stojas the film perfectly in frame immediately a notched title is reached, the film starting again at full speed and without jerk immediately a simple release is touched. As the stopping mechanism automatically throws into position the special heat absorbing shutter no harm comes to the film nor is the slightest buckling found even over a much longer period than would normally be required for such a stoppage. As Bolex users know, the heat absorbing filter transmits almost as much light on a still picture as is obtainable during projection, for it must not be forgotten that what light is absorbed by this filter is compensated for by the increase of screen illumination due to the absence of the shutter blades which normally cut oft light for half of the time. The DA ready for its case " Sixteen The notch oj^erated mechanism functions equally well with the 16-mm. film, and as it is but the work of a moment to change over the sprockets and gate mechanism from 9.5-mm. to 16-mm., the new projector has the imique advantage of allowing considerable economies to be effected with 16-mm. film. Any small notch cut in the side of the film a couple of frames in advance of the frame at which it is desired to stop will bring the mechanism into operation. A small nick with a pair of scissors will do and no special tool is required although the notching cutter supplied for 9.5-mm. film makes a better job of it. We foresee a considerable use being made of this new feature when running travel and educational films. An Automatic Stop It is interesting to note that when either 9.5-mm. or 16-mm. film is run through this machine the motor stops automatically directly the last piece of film passes through the gate, the absence of film being, so to speak, an infinitely large notch which stops the mechanism immediately ! The extremely ingenious mechanism used in this projector — it is quite elaborate and fits neatly inside the machine — does not alter the exterior appearance, which is practically identical with the normal Model D. When it is realised that not only has the film to stop in the gate, but also the feed and take-up sprocket stop instantaneously, and the heat absorbing shutter come into place, we can appreciate some of the difficulties which have had to be overcome. The new projector sells for only £1 more than its predecessor (£36, instead of £35). Owners of the normal Model D will be glad to know that the new mechanism can be fitted to existing projectors for an additional charge of about £5, which, we are informed, represents the net cost, as the machine has to be sent back to the factory for the alterations to be made. A touch of the finger restarts the picture after a " notch " stop