Television digest with electronics reports (Jan-Dec 1953)

with Electronics Reports WYATT BUILDING J WASHINGTON 5, D. C. • TELEPHONE STERLING 3-1755 Trade Report August 29, 1953 ) 'HI-FI' No. 1 TOPIC OF CHICAGO SESSIONS: High-f idelity moves front and center again next week at Chicago, where it's expected to dominate International Sight & Sound Exposition at Palmer House, Sept. 1-3. And as if to emphasize the growing importance of subject to industry, RETMA's high-fidelity equipment section will meet at same hotel Sept. 2 to discuss proposed standards and try to agree on definition of "hi-fi". Though it's never been major stop on trade circuit. Exposition this year is coming in for more than its share of interest — heightened by the possibility that Philco may use it as occasion to introduce new high-fidelity equipment. Philco has been winding up all week for a big pitch, with double-page trade ads proclaiming: "The news from Philco next week will make radio and TV history all over America." But it won't talk in advance, won't even throw out the smallest hint as to what's in the works. Philco, of course, previously introduced "high-fidelity 200" chassis in more expensive models of its new line (Vol. 9:23), may even be preparing system for incorporation in its less expensive receivers. High-fidelity manufacturers seek to capitalize on 2 natural factors which on surface dovetail nicely — (a) fact that TV set owners get FM sound, and (b) tremendous upsurge in classical record buying and listening. All major manufacturers are now in field, and in their wake have mushroomed elaborate systems of distributors and dealers to serve the popular demand. RETMA meeting is outgrowth of complaints of some set makers, notably pres. Frank Freimann of sound-conscious Magnavox, that public is being short-changed by indiscriminate use of high-fidelity terms to describe sound that is something less than faithfully reproduced (Vol. 9:26). Admiral joined ranks of high-fidelity manufacturers this week in announcing 20-tube "hi-fi" AM-FM radio-phonograph combination. And set maker H. Leslie Hoffman, in Washington this week to introduce his Hoffman Radio line in expansion to eastern markets (see p. 14), made big pitch for his own Trio-Phonic "hi-fi" system, then went on to tell why high-fidelity is so important to manufacturers at this time: "High-fidelity sound has become a subject of national interest this year. However, until now its use has been limited almost entirely to phonographs & radios, and even there the application has been so expensive that it has been well out of the reach of the average consumer. "High-fidelity is something we manufacturers have got. It's something we can deliver — now. We can't deliver color — at least not yet — and until we can, high-fidelity can send our sales upward." He said that sales were "phenomenal" in first month after Hoffman's high-fidelity system was introduced. Hoffman's system, featured in 17 of 42 models, incorporates 2 speakers — a small one designed to reproduce high notes, and larger one for bass or low notes. Larger speaker is 11%-in. , smaller 5%-in. System has new "tone gate" which funnels high and low notes automatically, is capable of reproducing 20-15,000 cycles. Admiral's system, which won't be priced until delivery starts in September, isn't a mass-market radio-phonograph, according to sales v.p. W.C. Johnson. He said it will be retailed "only through dealers who know music and can demonstrate the excellence of true high-fidelity reception and reproduction." Twin speaker system consists of 15-in. bass "woofer" in 6.7 cu.-ft. wood enclosure lined with special sound-absorbing material and smaller compression-type "tweeter". Former gives response from 3500 cycles down to 30 cycles, lowest range of human hearing, while the "tweeter" gives response from 3500 up to 16,000 cycles. * * * * TV production keeps rising steadily, while high-fidelity boom continues, totaling 157,885 (7723 private label) week ended Aug. 21, up from 150,111 preceding week and 115,430 week ended Aug. 7. It was year's 33rd week and was highest output 11