Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1962)

NEW SERIES VOL. 2, No. 31 TELEVISION DIGEST— 7 • • MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTION, FINANCE INDUSTRY VIEWS ON RECTANGULAR COLOR: Although rectangular color bulbs — -possibly in 2 sizes — are scheduled to become available from Corning next year (Vol. 2:30 p7), the companies most immediately concerned aren't making any outward changes in their near-term planning. There's tremendous interest, however, and great desire for more information. Corning has said it hopes to have first sample bulbs of "hard glass" (the type used in present color tubes) as soon as early next year, with some production possible by midyear. Most tube makers take conservative approach, predict that sets using tubes made from these new-type bulbs probably wouldn't be available until some time in 1964 — meaning "1965" models. Most directly affected by Coming's move are RCA, currently only U.S. manufacturer of color tubes; Syl vania and Rauland (Zenith), both of which plan to start color-tube production next year, and Motorola & National Video, now developing 23-in. rectangular color tube using b&w glass. All of these companies, while keenly interested in new move, say they're going ahead with previously announced plans. RCA will produce 21-in. round 90-degree tube next year. Rauland & Sylvania will also go to round tubes before rectangular. Waiting for availability of rectangular bulbs and development of new tube elements, life testing, etc., would delay their entry into color at least a year. Motorola thinks it can have its rectangular color tube & set substantially before tube using Corning bulb is ready. Everyone is concerned with possible costs of Coming's rectangular color bulb. Corning has indicated that rectangular bulb in large size (24 or 25-in.) may cost from $5 to as high as $10 more than current round bulbs at start, presumably coming down to about same as current bulbs after development costs are largely recovered. Some manufacturers think new tube elements (gun for 90-degree rectangular tube, new shadow mask and phosphor screen) as well as labor, will cost more than same components of round tube, too. There's varying reaction to Coming's proposal for smaller (probably 19-in.) color tube (as well as bigger one). Is there market for it? Will color follow black-<£-white in trending toward 19-in.? Nobody knows for sure. Some manufacturers see possibility of eventually saving enough on 19-in. set to make possible $100 price differential at retail. If 25-in. rectangular set could some day sell for $500, wouldn't 19-in. be attractive buy at $400? Manufacturers are also intrigued by possibility of brighter color pictures which 19-in. tube may make possible. One tube maker gave off-the-cuff estimate that small screen size may make possible 50% increase in brightness with same drive voltage. Here's rundown of views of 4 major companies most closely affected : RCA sticks to its previously stated view that what sells color is not depth or shape but what's on face of tube. Excellence of present color picture, in RCA's opinion, is due largely to long experience in production of same tube, with gradual improvements all along line. Present color is probably only major TV product which has been produced consistently for more than 5 years without complete redesign. RCA will produce 90-degree round 21-in. tube beginning next year, expects this tube to be industry standard for at least full year — longer, if price of rectangular tube is substantially higher. Incidentally, RCA hopes that 90-degree round tube will end up costing about same as today's 70-degree round one. Sylvania, too, will be going ahead with round color tubes next year, right on schedule, but is already working on engineering development of rectangular ones. "We can't lose another year — we'll go ahead with what's available." So said Max Krawitz, mgr. of color tube manufacturing. He, too, pointed out possibilities of higher costs, long development period for rectangular tube, and indicated that Sylvania's color tube production facilities would be in operation on schedule.