Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Mar 1954)

about Products . . ★ news and views of the market and its sources of supply inn iiiii— iimi ■iiiniiin mi i mm hi i m mrwn— — wwwii11 m n> . > .• , Booklet Tells Values Of Stereophonic Sound THE ADVANTAGES of stereophonic sound to motion picture technique and the wide appeal it has demon strated to the theatre public are cited in a new booklet called “The New Look in Motion Picture Presentation,” by Fred C. Matthews, vice-president in charge of sales for Motiograph, Inc., Chicago, and newly elected president of Tesma. In describing the special qualities of stereophonic recording and reproduction, Mr. Matthews states that it is “so realistic you can close your eyes and follow the action with your ears. The actor at the left hand edge of the screen actually sounds as though he is where you see him, and as he moves across the screen the sound follows him. Stereophonic sound reproduction alone has this lifelike quality.” Summing up the status of the new sound, Mr. Matthews states the belief that although “there has been a lack of unity among motion picture producers as to what picture ratio should be used in wide-screen presentation, there is complete unity that stereophonic sound must be a definite and permanent part of all wide-screen processes. The booklet also contains a description of Motiograph’s five different models of stereophonic sound equipment for the various sizes of theatres and a list of its many installations in theatres in 1953. Adjustable Frame for Wide-Screen Projection A wide-screen frame with special features designed to provide quick and easy original installation and to permit changes that may be required in the future has been marketed by the Raytone Screen Corporation, Brooklyn. Known as the “Raytone-Thompson allpurpose wide-screen frame,” its degree of tilt is adjusted after lacing and can be changed later as desired. The radius of curvature is set at the factory. The frame is made of tubular alloy steel. The frame is available with casters or it can be flown. It can also be secured with an attachment to raise or lower the frame off the floor. The frame is lightweight, the manufacturer points out, with a 50-foot one weighing less than 1,000 pounds and a 35-foot one weighing 750 pounds. Diagrams and color markings are included with instructions for installing the frame. Redesigned Line of Packaged Air Conditioners complete restyling and re-engineering of its line of packaged air conditioners has been announced by the United States Air Conditioning Corporation of Minneapolis. The new equipment, available in 2, 3, 5, and 10 h.p. sizes, is designed to permit a choice of air intake and discharge panels for fronts, side or rear installation to fit any field requirement. T he units are of sectional construction, comprising compressor, blower and plenum, each of which can be ordered separately. For year-round operation a heating coil can be mounted in the blower cabinet. Among the other design changes are a new airfoil louver discharge grille; free and open air intake, designed for easy cleaning; a single filter section, handling both fresh and recirculated air; a central control panel, including manual reset high pressure cutout; and new spring mounting. The restyled cabinet features a two-tone blue finish. A vinyl plastic decorative moulding seats the front panels, which are held in place by roll point spring catches fo r easy removal and replacement. Selenium Rectifiers with 70 to 135-Amp. Range selenium rectifiers with a capacity range of 70 to 135 amperes have been added to the line of the Strong Electric Corporation, Toledo. Two sets of transformer taps are provided for adjusting the output current over a wide range of amperages and to compensate for variations in line voltage from 200 to 250 volts. Fine taps on the primary are connected to an eightpoint external, manually controlled switch which permits current adjustment while A Raytone wide-screen frame has been installed at the Fox theatre in Atlanta as shown above. For specifications of the Raytone frame see text above. BETTER THEATRES SECTION 37