Kinematograph Year Book 1942 (1942)

Film Exhibition and, Kincma Technique 231 inforcement for theatre work, and, in addition, high-grade moving-coil microphones, together with an extensive range of stands for use with same, such as adjustable pedestal, banquet and footlight microphone mountings. These stands and mountings were fitted with their special resilient shock absorbers which gave every satisfaction under the most exacting conditions. Mr. E. A. Blunden, formerfy Chief Engineer of Kamm & Co., of Powell Street, E.C.I, has joined Vitavox, and accordingly they are able to deal with any enquiries which relate to the servicing of Kamm, cinema reproducing systems. A number of new developments in the design of speakers and sound-reproducing equipment is contemplated, which Vitavox hope to place on the market as soon as times again become normal. Western Electric CO., Ltd. — Much of the energy and specialized technical resources of Western Electric are at present given over to the war effort. For the time being, new sound film equipment is therefore unavailable. Efficient service and maintenance, always necessities if equipment is to do a first-class job, are factors of truly vital account in these times. Notwithstanding present difficulties. Western Electric continues its mission of servicing and maintaining over 2,000 systems with unremitting devotion. For the future, research goes on, and with the unparalleled experience of Bell Telephone Laboratories behind it, one of the greatest centres of specialised research in the world ensure the embodiment of improvements in sound reproduction as they become of practical value to the exhibitor. The steady progress made by Mirrophonic since the introduction of this system in 1937 is clear evidence of the public's appreciation of high quality sound. Yet the readiness with which exhibitors have renewed their leases on old systems, knowing that whenever they 'desire to do so they can modernise them to Mirrophonic, illustrates how real are the inherent characteristics of all Western Electric systems : quality of reproduction, reliability, and enduring fitness for purpose. R.C.A. Photophone, Ltd. — During the past year R.C.A. Photophone, Ltd., have continued to supply and instal R.C.A. High Fidelity sound reproducing equipments, stocks of which they bad the foresight to lay in shortly after the outbreak of hostilities. All such equipments, as heretofore, comprised the well-known rotary stabiliser soundheads and two-way loudspeaker systems. In addition to installing such equipments in replacement of some of the earliest models of sound equipment, RCA have also been very active in the fitting up of kinemas in R.A.F. and Naval camps, and in special Government preview kinemas. Despite the calling up of a number of engineers, RCA Photophone, Ltd., is still maintaining its service organisation for the benefit of exhibitors, and continues to render efficient scheduled service calls and prompt emergency attention. The maintenance service available on High Fidelity equipments includes the supply of valves, exciter lamps, photo-electric cells, etc., and other parts which may be required through fair wear and tear, and for which the company has likewise foreseen future requirements by having laid in a substantial stock of such parts. RCA factories in the United States and Canada working day and night are occupied in meeting the demands of the armed forces of the Democracies, and both prior to and since the passing of the Lease and Lend Act, millions of dollars worth of equipment has been supplied to Britain and her Allies. Meanwhile the development of " Fantasound," RCA's method of stereophonic reproduction has been going forward. It was first introduced to the American public at the premiere of Disney's " Fantasia " at the Broadway Theatre, New York City, but owing to equipment and technical difficulties any wide application of the principle is not likely in the immediate future. A simplification of the process, however, has been introduced in the RCA Panoramic Sound System which is applicable to " existing equipment with but little modification," and moreover, requires only a single film.