Kinematograph year book (1948)

464 The Kinemato graph Year Book. The answer to the projector manufacturer who builds his own sound head is obviously for the sound-equipment firm to make its own projector. In adopting this policy Western Electric have done more than market a projector ; the projector is to be included in the unsurpassed Western Electric service agreement. It is logically pointed out that in servicing their sound equipment, W.E. service engineers have worked with every conceivable make of projector, and are, therefore, well qualified both to outline a specification for a projector, and to service it. W.E.'s Westar The new W.E. machine is known as the Westar. The mechanism itself is a post-war version of the Century, which before the war I commended for its' simplicity of design. It incorporates the features associated with modern American projectors — enclosed film path, a parallel opening gate, and generally a clean design. The projector is completely British made. Of the occasion of the demonstration of this machine with the Westrex sound channel, at the Plaza, Regent Street, my chief recollection is of an amazing fidelity and volume range ; the demonstration films covered everything, from whispered conversation and quiet music to the blare of a large orchestra playing ff, and the ear-sp.itting noises of gunfire, an aeroplane take-off, and so forth. The first installation of the Westrex system was at the Empire, Leicester Square, where I had a practical demonstration of the ease of servicing of the equipment, amplifier components being withdrawn on their removable trays actually during the show. An important feature of the system is the newly designed speaker assembly, which it was claimed was largely responsible for the excellent " presence " of sound at both the Empire and the Plaza. Western Electric has also added the supply of carbons to its service to the exhibitor. While the Ross GC projector mechanism remains unchanged, having proved its mechanical excellence during the war years, a new stand and lamphouse have been developed the handsome appearance of which justifies the name of Streemlite. The new equipment consists fundamentally of a pedestal stand, and a newly designed arc lamp fitted with a 13-in. mirror. I have frequently pointed out that it is not the diameter of an arc mirror that counts, but its collecting angle and the matching of its aperture with that of the projector lens ; in both respects the new mirror scores, since independent tests have shown that in combination with an //1. 9 lens, it passes 10 per cent, more light than a 14-in. mirror. Streemlite Arc Ross is of course associated with RCA, and while the Streemlite outfit may be used with any standard sound system, it was demonstrated in conjunction with the new RCA system. In so far as the sound head is concerned, this follows the admirable design of former systems, with the exception that the lines of the projector are continued in the form of a dust cover over the motor. Features of previous designs — the rotary scanner, which provides complete isolation of the film through free loops, the rubber-cushioned mechanism, and the twin exciter Telephone NORTH S04I -2-3 NEW HYGIENE LTD. for CtXfiEN A GEN & the soapless cleanser " cleans hands, floors, carpets — off the ration" alsQ GERMSPRAY ■ SCENTINEL PINAGENA SECTIGENA HYGIENE HOUSE 266-8 H0LL0WAY RD LONDON N-7