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

Section Meetings The Central Section met on February 25, 1954, at the Western Society of Engineers. Malcolm G. Townsley, Assistant VicePresident and Director of Research, Bell & Howell Co., Chicago, presented a paper entitled "Photometry in Motion Pictures." As a well -qualified expert in this field. Mr. Townsley discussed the fundamental concepts of photometry and their application to motion picture production. He also included a discussion of the photometric properties of the special type of screens now being used for motion-picture projection. A second paper was given by Carl F. Jensen, Regional Engineer for the MidAmerican Region, Westinghouse Electric Corp., Lamp Div., Chicago, on "Some Projection Lamp Characteristics." From his broad experience in this particular field, Mr. Jensen presented an explanation in simple terms on the design of projection lamps and the optics involved. He also discussed reasons for short life of lamps and the factors that cause lamp problems in projection. The March meeting of the Section was held on March 4 at Kimball Hall in Chicago. This was a joint meeting with the I.R.E. and the A.I.E.E., and the premeeting dinner was attended by 125 persons. A paper on "Color Television Receivers" was presented by William O. Swinyard, Chief Engineer of Hazeltine Research, Inc., who discussed in basic terms recent color television developments. He then described the NTSC television signals, the general nature of monochrome and color television set design, color resolution problems, and the solving of interference and transmission difficulties. The talk was well illustrated with excellent slides. Interest in the subject was so great that people had to be turned away at the door for lack of seating. It is estimated that some 400 people were present, including 100 members of the Section. — K. M. Mason, Secretary-Treasurer, Central Section, 137 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago. The March meeting of the Pacific Coast Section was held at Paramount in Hollywood on the evening of March 2 3 . Attendance was limited to members only, on a pre-reservation basis. Two sessions were held and both were filled to capacity, with a total attendance of 340 members. The subject was Vista Vision, Paramount's new technique in motion-picture photography and projection. C. R. Daily, Chief Optical Engineer at Paramount, described the process by which greater overall resolution is obtained in large-screen presentation. A wide-angle camera lens exposes an area 2\ times the normal size and at right angles to its normal position on the standard 35mm negative. The image is returned to its normal position for standard projection on the release film. A picture is composed for a normal 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Demonstrations from current color productions were shown at various aspect ratios on a new seamless curved screen 63 ft wide and 34 ft high. Louis Mesenkop, Assistant Sound Director at Paramount, explained that a single photographic soundtrack will be provided with Vista Vision. Three subaudio control signals will be superimposed on the track to permit presentation of dimensional sound in theaters equipped with suitable multiple channel and control facilities. This meeting was arranged through the courtesy of Loren Ryder, Director of Engineering and Recording for Paramount.— E. W. Templin, Secretary-Treasurer, Pacific Coast Section, c/o Westrex Corp., 6601 Romaine St., Hollywood 38. The third meeting of the Board of Managers of the Atlantic Coast Section was held on March 24 at the Eastman Kodak Co. offices, 342 Madison Ave., New York City. On behalf of Everett Miller, the Chairman, George H. Gordon reviewed Mr. Miller's meeting with the Society's Board of Governors during the latter part of January. In particular, this involved consideration of the Atlantic Coast budget. It was announced that due to the reduced money available the program announcements used during the year 1953 had been changed to a postcard format. The members agreed to this change and further discussions were held concerning possible means of reducing current expenses. It was agreed that the Section aim at an overall program of eight meetings for the calendar year 1954. This would provide 400