Journal of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (1950-1954)

During the year new 25-kw and 50-kw VHF television transmitters were developed, and there were new achievements in antenna design as well as progress in the field of camera and studio equipment. Television Picture Tubes There was some improvement in the types of cathode-ray tubes in general use during 1953. Generally, there was some improvement in more careful alignment of tube structures, in the provision of greater resolution, reduced beam "spot size," and the greater overall use of the screen surface. During the first eleven months of 1953, 9,194,851 cathode-ray tubes were sold in this country to owners of television receivers. It was felt that the future use of television picture tubes will increase in the United States because of the now growing demand for replacement tubes. Television Receivers There were 5,600,423 television receivers sold through retail outlets in the United States in 1953. There was considerable improvement in these receivers because of the use of advanced circuitry, synchronization, improved picture definition, improvement in noise figure, etc. The 21 -in. cathode-ray tube continued to be used this year as the outstanding picturetube size accepted. Some progress was made during the year in the production of UHF converters, receivers, antennas and tuners. These were designed for use in the new 470 to 890-mc/sec UHF broadcast band. Television in Schools The installation of studio equipment in schools and universities has proceeded at a rapid rate, and today approximately 20 schools are equipped to teach television with standard broadcasting equipment. Nearly a hundred schools of higher education have courses in television program production listed in their curricula. Many of the schools which have campus studios originate regular programs which are relayed to local television stations for broadcast. Three new educational television stations went on the air during the last year, and 29 more have construction permits and are expected to be ready for broadcasting soon. Forty-five noncommercial applications have been filed. Miscellaneous Television A special device for the remote television transmission of surgical operations was developed in Germany, using a specially designed ring-type lighting equipment.108 The German Television Society in Darmstadt has proposed a means of transmitting television pictures in 3-D using Polaroid foils.109 Conclusion The above represents an incomplete but significant review of the progress during 1953 in motion-picture and television technology. The chairman of the committee wishes to express his thanks to the committee for their valuable contributions and to the following for special reports: F. L. Bicker (Holland) A. C. Blaney R. J. T. Brown (England) A. F. Brundage Bruce Denney Herman H. Duerr Harry J. L. Frank Frank N. Gillette H. L. A. Gimberg (Holland) John D. Hayes R. H. Heacock J. K. Hilliard J. Robert Hoff H. W. Moyse R. H. Riffle S. M. Roos Ross H. Snyder C. J. Staud Mead Walworth D. J. White D. R. White W. W. Wetzel The Committee: Charles R. J. E. Aiken Mark Armistead H. L. Baumbach E. A. Bertram Rudy Bretz P. E. Brigandi Ilo M. Brown Leo Busch Howard S. Coleman Gordon Craig Charles C. Davis Carlos H. Elmer Karl Freund Edwin C. Fritts Daily, Chairman Anthony Frothingham Lorin D. Grignon C. A. Hahn Charles W. Handley Scott Helt Armin J. Hill Ralph E. Lovell R. H. McCullough Herbert Meyer James A. Moses J. L. Pettus Fred Rich Wm. H. Ryan M. G. Townsley 360 May 1954 Journal of the SMPTE Vol. 62