Weekly television digest (Jan-Dec 1963)

NEW SERIES VOL. 3, No. 34 TELEVISION DIGEST-7 MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTION, FINANCE TRANSISTORS TAKE OVER IN UHF TUNERS; Most TV sets sold after mid1964 will be transistorized—at least to extent of their uhf tuners. But if uhf tuner manufacturers are happy over prospect of transistors which are competitive with tubes, they’re somewhat disturbed over present state of their business. With one exception, no set manufacturer has jumped gun on all-channel law, and— though all-channel set production is increasing— so far it’s below expectations of many in industry. By next May, everything will be all-channel, of course. And tuner makers are ready for the rush. Most of them— including F. W. Sickles Div. of General Instrument, Standard Kollsman & Oak Mfg. , as well as GE (which makes its own tuners)— will cast in their lot with transistor oscillator, as opposed to tube -type. As they summarize them, transistor’s advantages are these: (1) Compactness. (2) Low power, consequently no UL problems. (3) Reliability; even though uhf oscillator tubes are now extremely reliable, there’s still stigma associated with tubes because of track record in uhf’s early days. (4) Less drift. (5) Far lower oscillator radiation; transistors can meet FCC’ s limit of 500 microvolts (now temporarily suspended, but scheduled to be re-imposed Jan. 1). Sparking shift to transistor is promise of price decreases to point where semiconductor is competitive with tube for uhf oscillator. Transistor being used now is Fairchild silicon unit, but both Motorola & Texas Instruments, possibly others, are expected to get into act with competitive silicon transistors for uhf oscillator use. All tuner makers are working on mechanical aids to make uhf tuning as simple as vhf . Although pushbutton system seems to be favored currently, 3 major tuner manufacturers agree that there will probably be little demand for this type of unit— perh^s too little to build it at all— through 1964. F. W. Sickles Vp-Gen. Mgr. Edgar Messing summed up reasons when he said set manufacturers ’’want to meet the requirements of the law first, without making it too hard to sell sets” because of extra cost involved in pushbutton or other easy-tune devices. Some simplification has already been accomplished in regular continuous uhf tuning. Most timers now have 2-speed drive— fast for locating station, slow for fine tuning. All-channel tuning will add about $20 to retail price of set, no matter how it’ s disguised, at least through 1964. That seems to be unanimous opinion of set & tuner manufacturers. There have already been some price reductions on uhf tuners— and more will probably come with stepped-up production— but not enough to cut retail differential substantially. Current tuner prices run from slightly above $6 for direct-drive units to above $7-8 for some 2-speed tuners. Then there’s added cost to set manufacturer of brackets, antenna terminals, etc. Another factor which may increase price differential further, in opinion of some TV set makers, is FCC’ s recent decision to permit uhf stations to use aural power as low as 10% of visual power— instead of 50% heretofore required. Some manufacturers argue ruling puts more burden on receiver maker for increased sensitivity of sound channel, thereby increasing costs. Commission recently turned down petitions by Zenith & Warwick for reconsideration of ruling (Vol. 3:31 plO). What is the proportion of uhf tuners to TV sets in current market? EIA figures don’t tell entire story, since many uhf tuners aren’t installed in factory, but shipped to distributors or dealers in form of conversion kits to change sets in inventory from vhf to all-channel. Sickles’ Edgar Messing estimates uhf tuners now constitute about 25-30% of set production. Oak tuner Product Mgr. Paul A. Wheaton concurs with this estimate, but Standard Kollsman Engineering Vp Fred Edwards thinks this figure somewhat high. Although business is picking up, it’s slower than expected— and tuner makers are ready for big rush any time it develops. However, they’re beginning to despair of that rush developing very long