International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1936)

22 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST August 1936 plate circuit of the first stage is maintained at approximately 0.14 crosstalk units, or 137 db. Construction, Installation Details As a result of these various precautions, the noise level of the 86-type amplifiers is approximately 25 db below 6 milliwatts, unweighted, or 44 db when weighted for the audibility threshold characteristic of the ear. The volume range of the amplifiers — the range between the noise level and the overload level of 15 watts — is thus 59 db unweighted and 78 db weighted. The 86-type amplifiers employ the familiar inverted dish type of construction, with all component apparatus mounted on the chassis in such a manner that terminals and wiring are concealed. The chassis carries the meter switch as shown in Figure 4. As used in the field, however, they are usually mounted in a perforated metal cabinet, arranged for either wall or rack mounting and measuring about 19 inches high and IOV2 inches deep. When so housed, the complete assembly is known as the 1086A, B. or C amplifier. In the particular form shown a volume control, at the lower left, is connected in the 200-ohm input circuit ahead of the amplifier, a milliameter is included for indicating plate currents, and an a. c. power switch is installed at the lower right. Beneath the amplifier and behind the instrument plate, space is provided for auxiliary filters and other apparatus which may be a part of the sound system. Mass. Bans Doubles; Anomolous Union Situation; Some Projection Problems THE introduction on Sept. 1 of the new standard double reel will expose to view the anomolous situation wherein the organized projectionists are opposed to the long reel nationally and receptive to it locally. Several months ago the IA General Bulletin announced that national headquarters was irrevocably opposed to the long reel, and it asked the support of affiliated Locals in opposing the proposed standard. Subsequently the IA Executive Board resolution condemning the double reel was unanimously adopted by the national convention. Before and after all this activity, however, contacts made by producer representatives with local IA units resulted in approval of the new standard. So far as is known, the producers never effected direct contact with IA national headquarters, preferring to iron out threatening situations on a local basis. Whether IA local units will now go along with the producers, even in those localities where an agreement was reached, is a moot question. In two cities, however — Boston and Cleveland — there is no doubt as to the belligerent attitude of the IA units. Advices from Boston indicate that L. U. 182's year-long battle against the double reel has been crowned with success, not only in Boston but throughout Massachusetts. Stringent regulations imposing a state-wide ban on the double reel are understood to have been approved by the Dept. of Public Safety, needing only signaturing to assume the force of law. Repeated efforts to give L. U. 182 a gentle yet positive shoving-around having failed, Boston exchanges made no preparations for the introduction of the double reel, evidently convinced of the futility of such activity. The Cleveland situation has not been publicized as has Boston's fight, but it is no secret that the former unit will follow its own course irrespective of procedure elsewhere, even in its own State. Chicago apparently has approved the new standard, reports indicating that the only remaining point of issue has been cleared up. Chicago authorities favored a 14" reel, holding that the 14% " size permitted insufficient clearance for efficient projection work. Producer headquarters report that the 141/2" reel has finally been approved. Magazine Size Important The Chicago incident served to emphasize an angle of the reel situation not detailed previously. The standard projector magazine is 16"; but practically all first-flight theatres have 18" magazines, which permit ample clearance for the projectionist's fingers and also provide a clear view therein. Unquestionably the 16" magazine is not suitable for the most efficient projection work with a 14%" reel. Unconfirmed reports cite the availability of a 17" magazine, ample for use with a 14%" reel; but the 18" magazine remains the only standard equipment available. The producers themselves still are unconvinced that they have bought a prize package in the double-reel standard. The cost of new equipment, plus possible Union trouble, plus the necessary alterations in exchanges, plus extra work, and plus the necessity for segregating prints for those theatres whose equipment cannot handle the double reel — all this combines to make distributors jittery. Well-informed opinion holds that theatres almost without exception will shy at utilizing exchange reels, preferring to adhere to standard practice heretofore of mounting on their own reels. The low-priced distributors' reels may fill the bill for shipping but they hardly will meet projection requirements. Of course, the new double-reel mounting will decrease projection room work in this respect, apart from the reduction in the number of change-overs. Meanwhile, the Academy furthered its program. Sample prints exactly fitting the revised specifications were sent to each laboratory to assist in revising their leaders, so that all 2000-foot releases after Sept. 1 will carry standard leader meeting the new specifications. Marking the 8th revision in the S. R. P. Leader since its original adoption in 1930, the specifications have been changed to include the written-out figures "six" and "nine" in the appropriate footage frames in order to assist projectionists to quickly distinguish the 6 and 9-foot leader frames, which when now viewed inverted through the projector are sometimes confused with each other. The inclusion of this additional designation will assist projectionists in more quickly threading machines between reels and will eliminate any possibility of mis-threading due to confusion of these numbers. In addition, the wrap-around protective leader (blank protective film attached to the beginning and end of each reel) has been increased from 6 to 8 feet in place of the former 4 to 6 feet, to provide sufficient protection to the increased diameter 2000-foot reels. Use of Exchange Reels Requires New Take-Up Pulleys The new standard presents still another technical problem relating to takeup pulleys. The practice heretofore has been to use 2000-foot reels with 5" hubs, using, for example, Simplex take-up pulley W-7. It will not be practical, however, to use the Exchange release reel having a 4" hub with the take-up pulley W-7, suitable for the 5" hub. This pulley does not revolve fast enough to take up the first several turns on a reel equipped with a 4" hub. Also, the 4" hub reel should not be used in a take-up magazine equipped with, for example, Simplex take-up pulley W-6. designed for a 2" hub reel, inasmuch as excessive pull will damage the film and likely pull it off the take-up sprocket. The solution to this problem is a new take-up pulley which can be used interchangeably in take-up magazines for either 4" or 5" hub reels. A limited number of these take-up pulleys, identified as W-27, have been made available by International Projector Corp., thus disposing of this problem, the seriousness of which depends, of course, upon the extent to which projectionists utilize the Exchange reels.