Radio annual and television yearbook (1939)

Broadcasting Association, places special emphasis on mobile telecasting and as early as 1937 has had equipped four automobiles for experimentation: one carries the iconoscope; another, the image transmitter; the third, a sound transmitter; and fourth, receiving apparatus. The first three cars can be rushed to the scene of the action to be transmitted, while the fourth car is free to travel to any location which is convenient for receiving. The mobile unit, according to Takayanagi, is useful for news reporting and also for purposes of entertainment. Success of public television in Japan as in other countries, is dependent on reducing the price of receiving sets to popular levels; the present teelvision receivers retail at 1.000 yen. ITALY With only a passing reference to those owning present-day receiving sets, the press in large headlines has proclaimed the early initiation of television transmission in Italy, asserting that the studio of E.I.A.R. is so complete that it is only necessary to give the finishing touches. The press also unhesitatingly stated that the equipment for the regular transmission of motion picture films is complete to the last detail: . . . "The entire transmission plant which consists of all equipment that is most up-to-date in the field of television" is actually being tested. Continuing, the press reports that conservative estimates place the number of Italians who regularly follow the program (radio) of E.I A.R. at 5,000,000. This figure, it is claimed, will be greatly increased when during the coming year the 50 television transmitting stations are installed. The press is silent as to the use which the 50 television transmitting stations will be put and no indication is given as to how the service offered by such stations is to be utilized. Unless the present Italian receiving sets can be so adapted as to bring the new services into the homes of owners of such sets, the proposed 50 transmission stations will operate for a very favored few. Inquiry at the leading dealers indicates that unless the unforseen takes place, television, as the practical result of the present experiments, will not be available to the masses for another 18 months. Transmission will be on a 5 meter band, and it is reported that enthusiasts will have to make an outlay of between 2,500 and 3,000 lire for a set which will enable them to enjoy television, it being claimed that no addition or alteration to ordinary receiving sets can be made so that they may be used for televisions. Dealers are neither enthusiastic nor optimistic. RUSSIA Little news concerning television has been forthcoming from Russia. However, it is known that there is some television experimentation in the Soviet. Early in 1938 a successful test was made of a new television station in Moscow by showing, on a screen 14x19 centimeters, a band marching along a street; the sound of the band-music accompanied the picture. The Moscow television center, begun in October, 1936, is equipped with transmitters and equipment of American manufacture; the studio has an area of 280 square meters and is brilliantly decorated. At present there are only 10 receiving sets in operation. Plans for placing receivers in clubs and homes have been made but stress at the present time is being placed on choice and types of transmitters. Evidence of this fact is found in a newspaper item which reported an experimental program in which images and sounds received on special recorders were sent out by 4 television transmitters, one of them of Soviet manufacture. Reception was reported as reasonably satisfactory. NETHERLANDS There is only one company engaged in Television experimentation in the Netherlands. That firm is known as the Philips Co. (Full name: N. V. Philips, Gloeilampenfrabicken, Einhoven). Dutch experiments in television are largely based on the American system known as the RCA or Zworykin system which is available to Philips through their patent agreements. Scanning ranges from 180, 240, 360, 375 or 405 scanning lines. Present development allows the scanning of 25 pictures per second as well as the inter-laced system of scanning. Experiments are being carried on in the transmission of live talent as well as the use of film projection. Dr. Van der Pol is directing the research in the Netherlands. 486