Television digest with electronics reports (Jan-Dec 1953)

10 COLOR & 1954— WHAT TRADE LEADERS THINK: Cautious restraint marked reaction of those most immediately and directly affected by FCC color decision — the manufacturers and their distributors and dealers. Few were willing to go out on a limb with predictions and miscalculations that might rise to haunt them later. No one wanted to rock the trade boat, currently quite steady; not even the FCC, judging from the careful wording of its release — a far cry from its former attitude. Best example of studied restraint was the statement by RETMA's TV committee chairman Dr. W.R.G. Baker, who is also chairman of the NTSC. It noted with wellworded gratification that FCC "wisely has emphasized that the publics $7 billion investment in black-&-white receivers has been fully protected," thanks to a single set of standards — and compatibility. It added: "The millions who now own black-&-white receivers, together with those who are interested in purchasing black-&-white receivers, now have official assurance that they will lose nothing by the Commission's action on color. Their sets will continue to receive all the transmissions now available. Even more important, when color transmissions are made by these stations, the quality of black-&-white reception of these sets will actually be improved. "It should be understood that while the Commission has approved basic color standards today, it will take manufacturers of color transmitting equipment and home receivers considerable time to develop, field test and mass produce color equipment. It will be some time before more than a few hours weekly are devoted to color broadcasts. For a long time to come, most TV programs will continue in black-&-white. "Color TV is one more stage in the orderly evolution of the TV industry. It will not destroy or impair the value of TV receivers now in use. Only a trickle of color TV receivers will be manufactured during 1954. It may be years before quantity production can be reached. Likewise, early color TV receivers will be expensive ; most manufacturers estimate that small screen sets giving a 12%-in. picture will cost in the neighborhood of $1000. "Meanwhile, the entertainment and cultural advantages which TV offers now will continue to be available on large-screen, high quality black-&-white receivers at values never before offered." There you have the basic industry thinking. The simple fact of a tube bottleneck that means 200,000 sets at the most in 1954, the removal of stupid political pressures, the obvious understanding now of compatibility by press and public alike — all point to a rational, sensible and orderly approach to the most fabulous of the amazing series of "TV revolutions." Considering the complexity of the color tube and its production, some of the best-informed opinion sees only 500,000 to 1,500,000 of them available in 1955. That might indicate repetition of the same cycle as black-&-white TV, originally also dependent largely on the CR tube. TV's first year, 1947, saw only 178,571 sets produced; 1948, only 975,000; 1949 , 3,000,000. Then came 1950 with its record of 7,000,000-plus. Production has continued at 5-7,000,000 since then, which some think will be range again next year. We asked the leading manufacturers to comment on the outlook, particularly as related to the advent of color. Digests of their observations are on next page. NOVEL TECHNIQUE for making sure color signal and equipment are “right” was suggested to FCC this week by Telechrome Inc., Amityville, N. Y., makers of color equipment. Pres. Ray Clurman proposed that networks and stations be permitted to transmit 10-12 lines at top of picture in color bars, bottom 10-12 lines in other components of color picture (I, R-Y, black-&white) — simultaneously with regular color or black-&white programs. Purpose of such transmission, he said, is to give everyone— from origination point, through interconnecting facilities and stations, to servicemen and the viewer — the same standard of comparison to check performance. He said that this would not only assure accurate transmission of color but would eliminate much complex and expensive checking instruments by all “links” in the color chain. Transmissions could be continuous, he said, without affecting programming or distracting viewer. Clurman noted that on 21-in. tube, 10-12 lines would take mere %-in. or so at top and bottom in areas generally covered by mask. He says that serviceman can stretch those lines out of picture, if need be, after adjusting picture with aid of the special signals. One criticism that may be raised, Clurman stated, is that new transmissions won’t be “locked” to a crystal. But he says his tests indicate this isn’t necessary. He believes that both NBC and CBS could readily adapt their present equipment for transmission of the signals.