The Independent Film Journal (1954)

Ampex Develops Single-Track Magnetic System; Cuts Prices Redwood City, Calif. — The development of a single-track magnetic theatre sound system selling for $1,625 and a ‘‘drastic” reduction in prices of the regular Ampex Master stereophonic sound systems, effective immediately, have been announced by Jim Mahon, Ampex theatre equipment sales manager. The single-track system has been designed for exhibitors who wish to change from optical to magnetic sound but don't wish to invest in full stereophonic sound at the present time, the executive explained. The company announces additionally the development of two new loudspeaker systems especially designed to reproduce the higher quality of magnetic sound tracks. Future Am¬ pex installations in theatres having a seat¬ ing capacity of 1,000 to 1,500 persons will be equipped with the new model 5050, Mahon stated. Dimensions Listed This unit consists of two low-frequency speakers and their baffle, a high-frequency driver and horn and a crossover network. The complete system stands 84 inches high, 72 inches wide and 36 inches deep, he added. Theatres seating between 1,500 and 2,000 will have model 5070 put in. This system will be installed with Ampex 60 watt stereophonic systems. It contains the two low-frequency speakers in a larger baffle, a high-frequency driver and horn and a crossover network. Its dimensions are 79 inches high, 84 inches wide and 48 inches deep. Based on the Ampex Master stereophonic system, the new single-track one uses iden¬ tical components so that a theatre owner can install stereophonic sound at a later date by adding to the simpler system, Mahon re¬ ported. The only equipment that would have to be discarded is one power supply, costing $55, he stated. Uses Present Amplifier The single-track system makes use of the theatre’s present power amplifier and speak¬ er system. Unit consists of two magnetic reproducers, a sound transfer box and ex¬ tension rod, a pre-amplifier, a power supply and the necessary accessories. Each of the reproducers is mounted on a projector, and adaptor plates are available for the mount¬ ing, the report disclosed. Cables lead from the magnetic heads in the reproducer to the transfer box, used to change sound output from one projector to the other. An extension rod makes it possi¬ ble to operate the transfer switch from either projector position, it was explained. Addi¬ tional cables lead from the transfer box to the pre-amplifier enclosure. The latter enclosure measures 21 inches by 20 inches by 10 inches and may be mounted on the front wall of the booth, the company stated. The on-off switch and the gain control for the magnetic system are included in this part. The pre-amplifier’s output is fed into the phonograph input of the house’s existing power amplifier, which ■can be controlled by a selector switch, Mahon stated. New price scale of the standard stereo¬ phonic line is attributed to “economies in¬ herent in efficient, quantity production.” Typical of the new prices is a $3,195 tag on a 20-watt three-channel stereo system capable of handling a 1,000-seat house. Sys¬ tem is complete, requiring no extras of any kind and providing complete emergency facilities, Mahon stated. He noted that the company, “realizing that improved techniques, including stereo¬ phonic sound, are necessary for a theatre to attract today’s discriminating patron,” has been working on a method to cut prices for sometime. Acceptance of Ampex equipment by exhibitors has made that possible, he declared. Mahon revealed that the company’s new loudspeaker systems will be manufactured by the Anqjex Loudspeaker Corp., a whollyowned subsidiary. Ampex manufactures all the major components, from magnetic sound heads and amplifiers to loudspeakers, for theatre stereo systems, he explained. Perspector Integrator Mounted In Vertical Line A new model of the Fairchild Perspecta Stereophonic Sound Integrator, differing* from other models in that it is mounted on a vertical rather than horizontal chassis, has been announced by Sherman M. Fairchild, president of Fairchild Recording Equipment Co. The new unit, designated as Model 315C, is currently being shipped to theatres, it was reported. Purpose of the new design, according to company spokesmen, is to permit mounting of the integrator unit in theatre installations where horizontal space is at a premium. The unit is designed for normal rack mounting, and all underchassis wiring may be reached by removal of the front panel. Model fea¬ tures easv accessibility to all components for installation as well as service, the company claims. Three new vice-presidents have been ap¬ pointed by the National Carbon Co., a di¬ vision of Union Cai'bide and Carbon Corp., according to an announcement by A. S. Johnson, National Carbon head. New officers are Arthur C. Bryan, general manager of consumer products, William H. Feathers, who will manage industrial products, and Walter A. Steiner, head of the development Combined Trade Show Sets Coneession Forum A combined theatre concession forum is being planned for the 1954 TOA convention and TESMA-TEDA-TOA-IPA trade show, scheduled for Chicago’s Conrad Hilton Hotel from Oct. 31 through Nov. 4, accord¬ ing to a TOA announcement. Plans are cur¬ rently being set by officials of the Interna¬ tional Popcorn Association and TOA execu¬ tives. The nation’s leading theatre concession manufacturers and suppliers along with concessions managers and purchasing agents are slated to participate in the forum. Pop¬ corn executives J. J. Fitzgibbons, Thomas J. Sullivan and Bert Nathan have been con¬ ferring with theatreman Nathan Buchman and Herman Levy, Howard L. Bryant and Dick Pitts of TOA. National Theatre Supply Markets Simplex In-Car Speakers For Drive-Ins A new speaker for drive-in theatres, called the Simplex In-A-Car speaker, has been announced by National Theatre Supply. The weather-proof unit consists of a four-inch Alnico-V, aluminum voice coil speaker, spring mounted into the two halves of a com¬ pact die cast aluminum housing, the com¬ pany discloses. This method of mounting assures a float¬ ing suspenson which reduces shock, mini¬ mizes magnet shifting and simplifies replace¬ ment, according to the report. The housing also accommodates a perforated, anodized aluminim speaker screen, a volume control with recessed control knob and an extruded acrylic handle. The housing is finished in a silver hammerstone enamel baked on over a zinc chromate base and it has a two step window bracket for positioning in cars. The handle is an oval tube made by Anchor Plastics Co. and it provides space inside for a phosphore¬ scent theatre name or slogan card. The insulating properties of the plastic material allegedly make the handle always pleasant to touch. department. Bryan has been with the company in vari¬ ous sales activities since 1935, at which time he started as an industrial salesman in the Chicago office. Feathers joined the company at Niagara Falls in 1937, where he even¬ tually headed the work plant. Steiner started with the company in 1924 after having re¬ ceived an engineering degree in Germany. Three New National Carbon Vice-Presidents STEINER BRYAN FEATHERS 32 THE INDEPENDENT FILM JOURNAL— July 24, 1954