Kinematograph year book (1944)

218 The Kinematograph Year Book. Walturdaw Cinema Supply Co., Ltd. — The maintenance of existing sound installations has been continued by Walturdaw efficient sounding department, whose well-tried and efficient soundhead, although originally designed for use with the Zeiss-Ikon projector, is, of course, suitable for many other types. All forms of loudspeaker equipment, amplifiers, stage amplification, microphones are marketed by this old-established firm, whose experts are also working on interesting developments in all departments of kinema sound. D.P. Battery Co., Ltd. — The popularity of the well-known D.P. Kathanode sound batteries has been maintained. They are specially designed to do their particular job with the utmost efficiency and economy, and embody in their construction the experience gained during many years exclusively in the manufacture of batteries for all purposes. Vitavox, Ltd. — -Although the manufacturing facilities of this well-known firm of sound specialists are primarily engaged on war work and supplies of their wide range of sound equipment necessarily restricted, technical research, if anything, has been intensified and a number of improved equipments embodying radical developments will be available to meet all post-war needs of exhibitors in this direction. This new product will fully maintain the firm's high reputation among its many customers, particularly as regards loudspeakers and associated equipment. The Britone cabinet loudspeaker, for instance, embodies the latest design in multicellular horn-bass speaker, is recommended for P. A. and stage reinforcement. After the war, the firm will have in readiness a comprehensive range of sound amplification material, including microphones, loudspeakers and amplifiers. Voigt Patents, Ltd. — Apart from continuing to supply the loudspeaker, which is now quite well known, these specialists in electro-acoustics hope to supply a gramophone pick-up which has been developed during the last few years. Serious production of this will not, however, be commenced while triple Purchase Tax remains in force. It is their opinion, Purchase Tax should cease as at midnight immediately following the collapse of the last of the enemy powers. Normal trade must be restored as rapidly as possible. THE INDEPENDENT PLANT AN important consideration nowadays for those who intend to instal an independent prime-mover for the generation of their own electric current is that it is generated at the correct D.C. voltage for the arc supply, and thus all conversion costs are eliminated. This example of the economies to be effected is not generally recognised by the exhibitor whose first thought in considering the advantages of the independent plant is usually confined to the saving per unit of current. This, naturally is his main consideration, and rightly so, for in most supply areas the plant will show in the course of years a very handsome saving, even taking into consideration the greater capital outlay, fuel and maintenance. It was anticipated that the extension of the grid in this country would result in the cost of electricity coming down to a generally more reasonable figure so far as commercial users are concerned, but in the majority of areas these anticipations have not yet been received, and although the post-war years may witness a welcome downward tendency there will yet remain many financial benefits to the user of an independent plant. One of the most important of these is that it constitutes an insurance against the interruption of the mains supply ; this was not an infrequent occurrence during peace-time, and since the war has often caused considerable pecuniary loss owing to the enforced abandonment of performances. Sometimes this occurrence has been due directly to war damage, on other occasions it has resulted from the readjustment of supplies during the peak period and has lasted up to an hour until the normal load is taken up. In either case the exhibitor can obtain no redress, neither for the loss of revenue nor for the disappointment of his public. Even