Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1953)

with Electronics Reports WASHINGTON 5. D C • TELEPHONE STERLING 3-1755 Trade Report September 26, 1953 PICTURE TURE MAKERS' SIZEUP OF COLOR: Surprises in color tube and set production may be in prospect — but a careful check of tube makers fails to disclose any so far. Everyone seems to have a hunch that more and larger tubes will be forthcoming than manufacturers are prepared to disclose now. We don’t know, but we must confess that we share such suspicions to some extent — for the simple reason that the color tube seems to be key to entire competitive situation for the industry's next major sales cycle. For your evaluation, here's current sizeup as we've been able to glean it: RCA is working on 15-in. round glass tube giving about 14-in. picture, has shown 21-in. round which produces about 19-in. RCA has indicated that first production will be 14-in., won't comment at all about 19-in. RCA will sell tubes to other set makers, says it hasn't set price — though industry apparently understands it will run somewhere in $175-$250 range. Parts for tubes will be sold to other tube makers, though RCA notes: "Although demand might exceed RCA's supply of parts during the initial production stages, we will make every effort to meet industry demand as soon as possible." Though GE has been rumored planning to make other types of tubes, spokesman now says first production will be RCA-type 14-in. , probably starting this year. He says GE will make some of own parts, buy some from RCA and others at first. He says he has no idea when GE will produce sizes larger than 14-in. , including 19-in. John Q. Adams, v.p. -sales mgr, of CBS-Hytron, says that his company hasn't decided on any particular tube yet, is experimenting with several. When decision is made, he adds, production will take place in new Kalamazoo plant which is due for completion during latter part of next year. Sylvania director and ex-chairman Max Balcom says Sylvania expects to start making RCA-type tube about Dec. 1 and that "it will cost more than people are saying." Not much is known about Lawrence tube, he adds. Spokesman for Zenith subsidiary Rauland says he isn't accepting orders for any tubes yet, has made only a few and that RCA-type is furthest developed. Experimental tubes made by Rauland for NTSC fields have gained respect of competitors. Another tube maker, asking not to be identified, has this comment: "We're working frantically on a tube of our own, but I'm frank to say that we don't have it yet. Industry will have to go along with RCA type at first. There are objections to performance of the Lawrence tube. The 19-in. RCA type won't come quickly because of 2 reasons — the envelope isn't available yet and deflection angle is too narrow. Kimble sent us a rectangular 21-in. bulb for the tube and it fell apart while we were looking at it. Deflection of the RCA tube is under 50 degrees; that means a tube about 3-ft. long for 19-in." Most outwardly hopeful about the Lawrence tube is Asher Cole, president of National Video Corp. , who identifies his company as the "largest independent tube maker", meaning it's largest not affiliated with set maker. He reports that Kimble is working on bulb, hopes to have it shortly after first of year. One of tube's toughest aspects, he says, is that it takes about 20 watts to drive it, producing severe radiation problem. However, Cole says all color tubes and sets have similar problem and he has hopes of licking it. He expects the Lawrence tube will sell for about same price as RCA-type — but it will be 21-in. instead of 14-in. Corning Glass president Wm. Decker reports 15-in. round bulb most advanced, 19-in. sometime in future — both for RCA type. He says company is now in pilot production of 15-in. bulb, hasn't set price yet, will be able to meet any demand. * i* * * RCA has said it will be able to produce 2000 tubes monthly 6-9 months after FCC gives go-ahead. Its competitors believe that figure to be conservative, at the 10