NAEB Newsletter (Feb 1958)

were presented in color as well as a specimen of black and white recording. Tape dropouts were in evidence on both the monochrome and color record¬ ings and were especially noticeable in the color re¬ cordings since they produced white noise flashes. The RCA system is similar to Ampex in that tape width, tape speed and the tape itself are the same. RCA uses a revolving head mechanism holding four heads, although head rotational speed differs slightly from the 1440 rpm used by Ampex. At present tapes are not interchangeable between machines, however this feature will be available on production models. RCA and Ampex are discussing mutual standards so that eventually universal interchangeability will be possible. RCA equipment is entirely rack mounted while Ampex uses a console-mounted transport mech¬ anism with part of the equipment rack mounted. The RCA equipment also incorporates an erase head while Ampex tapes must be bulk erased. RCA has an addi¬ tional independent audio cue channel so that special operative instructions can be recorded along with picture information. A price of $63,000 has been announced for the RCA color recorder and $49,500 for monochrome equipment. Production models are expected to be available toward the end of 1958 with seven proto¬ type models to be built and put in service prior to the production run. Monochrome equipment contained in five racks, can be converted to color by the addi¬ tion of one rack of color processing equipment. The equipment requires 6 kw of 60 cycle single-phase power for operation. ***** Ampex, too, is making an accessory kit to con¬ vert its monochrome video tape recorder to color. It consists of an additional rack of equipment costing $29,000 for the prototype units. The first of these has been promised for June delivery to WGN-TV, Chicago. A substantial reduction in price is expected once this equipment is on a production basis. ***** Damage estimated at $75,000 was caused by a fire Jan. 9 in Swain Hall, which housed the studios of WUNC-TV and WUNC-FM in Chapel Hill, N. C. It is believed that the fire was the work of an arsonist as seven fires occurred on the campus that day. Spun glass used in the sound treatment of the studio area prevented the fire from spreading, thus saving the building from complete destruction. The radio area suffered only smoke and water damage. It is expected that the radio studio will be ready for occupancy before Feb. 1. Much video equipment was saved. TV programming was moved temporarily to the Raleigh studios. However, on Jan. 20 some programming was resumed from Chapel Hill by using the remote bus as a studio. It is ex¬ pected that it will take at least six weeks before the damaged studios and offices are ready for occupancy. ***** General Electric has announced that 50 TV sta¬ tions are now equipped with “1-0 guards” the wobbu- lating device designed to improve the useful service obtained from image orthicon camera tubes. Among the ETV stations which are using this equipment are WTTW, Chicago; and WBIQ, Birmingham, Ala. ***** Did you know . . . . . . that the Lincoln Division of the Ford Motor Co. has made a FM tuner available as optional equipment in its 1958 Lincoln and Continental automobiles? The tuner is manufactured by Bendix Radio and feeds audio through the AM set since volume and tone controls operate either receiver. . . . that as of Jan. 1 there were 537 commercial and 140 non-commercial FM stations operating? This is a gain of 7 commercial and 15 non-commercial stations over the past year. . . . that both radio and television signals have been transmitted over long distances by bouncing them off meteor trails? ***** Three meetings of interest to engineers in the radio and television broadcasting industry which will be held during March and April are listed below for your information: March 24-27 Institute of Radio Engineers, Na¬ tional Convention and Radio Engineering Show, New York City, Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and New York Coliseum. April 21-26 Society of Motion Picture and Tele¬ vision Engineers, 83rd Semi-Annual Convention, Los Angeles, Calif., Ambassador Hotel. April 28 -May 1 NAB 12th Annual Broadcasting Engineering Conference, Los Angeles, Calif. Statler Hotel, concurrent with 36th Annual NAB Convention at the Ambassador Hotel. ***** Planning a radio station? RCA has available a brochure, including floor plans, equipment require¬ ments and current trends. The material contained in this brochure has been appearing serially in RCA Broadcast News beginning with the October, 1957 issue. The brochure contains the complete series and may be obtained by writing RCA, Broadcast and Television Equipment Departments, Camden 2, N. J. NEWSLETTER