Television digest and FM reports (Jan-Dec 1948)

centers." Schedule is same for Pilot's TV-40 projection console with 12xl6-in. screen ( S798K . . Avco ' s Victor Emanuel in first "newsletter to stockholders" reports Crosley Division now producing 250 TV sets daily, hiking to 10,000 a month with completion of new factory facilities in August, planning 175,000 production in 1949... No radios without TV w'ill be produced henceforth by Brunswick, specializing in stylized cabinet combinations, according to president Herbert Weisburgh .... Belmont (Raytheon) promises "picture frame" TV, featuring 13xl8-in. screen within ornamental frame hung on wall like portrait, controlled by chairside cabinet, extra "frames" in other rooms possible. Presumably, it's to be a "poor" man's version of astonishing custom-built job RCA's David Sarnoff has in his conference room. TKE UNSOLVED CHANNEL 13 MYSTERY: Megacycle sleuths Esterley Page and Joseph Wald schmitt , engaged to probe Newark's WATV "Channel 13 mystery" (Vol. 4, No. 28-29), haven't yet come up with the solution — but they're convinced of 2 things; (1) That there's nothing inherently wrong with Channel No. 13 (210-216 me), and (2) that height is the prime factor for radiations above 40 me. The higher the frequency, the greater the height needed above immediate terrain. After 3 weeks of on-the-spot measuring, WATV's acute problem of inadequate coverage of immediate area requires further investigation. So next steps will be: (a) to make comparative measurements next week on Toledo's 500-ft WSPD-TV, which uses same RCA equipment on same channel and reports excellent reception, and (b) to raise test antennas above WATV by 50-ft steps, using balloon or electric helicopter. ‘ Eager to allay trepidation among other Channel 13 CP holders (next to start being Baltimore's WAAM, readying August tests), RCA headache boy's refuse to believe anything's wrong w'ith transmitter or antenna. On Friday, they issued statement saying ; that signal was below computed strength close to transmitter and gradually rose to approximately the computed strength at 45 miles ; that approximately same findings resulted from simultaneous FM readings ; that after substituting standard dipole for super-turnstiles, same results were indicated. Statement concluded: "By all known ! methods of performance check, it is indicated that full pov/er is going into the antenna.... [and] it is apparent that performance is not in accord with theoretical computations. Neither RCA nor WATV have drav;n any conclusions nor will they give j any opinions. Simply stated, the facts to date are that the WATV signal on Channel 13 is below that anticipated. The reason is unknown." Note : Privately, engineers are inclined to believe fault lies in West Orange I mountain site, think 210-216 me (or higher) from heights like Empire State Bldg, would produce normally high field close to transmitter. Unhappy WATV pioneers Irving Rosenhaus and Frank Bremer are inclined to think it's the transmitter. . Nobody blames receivers, for WATV enjoys excellent reception at distances — and few I receiver complaints have been heard in Toledo. I OTHERS SLIPPING, BUT TV LOOKS UP: Football, symphonies, opera and forums are next I on TV's steadily expanding schedules, should help round out program fare, w'ill ini evitably keep more people staying home. Though still profit-less, the zing and zip ^ being expended on TV makes it, as the New York Times stated July 21, "the only ma. jor entertainment field — with the possible exception of some concert programs — ’ to show continued growth." Front-page Times article noted that nation's entertain,• ment industry as whole, trapped between rising costs and shrinking attendance, is » now on way down to pre-war status. Movie boxoffice is 7-12% under last year, at' tributed to increased cost of living, competition for consumers' dollar by wardormant industries like autos and washing machines, more diversions open to public. Anticipating banner fall-winter, TV stations, sponsors and agencies are scurrying about these days lining up collegiate and pro grid games. Football is even better TV subject than baseball, now sponsored in all TV cities. As for symphonies, Detroit's last week went on regular Tuesday night schedule, sustaining, over WWJ-TV. • NBC Symphony is expected back soon, possibly with Toscanini occasionally. TV Opera was promised this season by NBC's musical director Samuel Chotzinoff on returning last week from trip abroad with Toscanini; first may be production of "Aida."