Evening star., 1949-09-26
6-Month Test Urged
Before FEC Approves
Any Color NSystem
By Robert K. WoIsh

By Robert K. WoIsh
Color television went on trial
before the Federal Communica-
tions Commission today at the
start of hearings in which the in
dustry's technical advisory COM
mittee urged at least six months
Of field tests before any proposed
system is approved for general
public use.
Donald G. Fink of New York,
representing the committee, rec
commended that before the FEC
decides what to do about color
television at this time, it should
decide whether to add AZ new
channels to the existing IL tele-
vision bands.
The color television question is
only one aspect of the hearings
that opened in the Commerce De-
partment auditorium and are ex-
pected to last several weeks. The
commission also seeks testimony
on its proposal to add the AZ
ultra high frequency" channels
to the existing IL very high fire.
quency" channels.
A double e-barreled fight was in
prospect as more than 200 top
technicians, company officials and
attorneys gathered for the hear
tngs.
Two Controversies in Making
One controversy is between
several competing companies that
have developed color television
systems and have applied for FEC
licenses. The other main dispute
is between groups or concerns
declaring or denying that color
television is sufficiently developed
to justify commercial operation
now
Commission members, in ques-
tioning Mr.. Fink. wanted to know
particularly whether color tele-
vision at this time would be
technically efficient and whether
owners Of present black and white
type sets could get such pro-
grams conveniently and mex
pensively.
Mr.. Fink said his committee has
not taken sides on the claims of
the various companies or in
dividualS. He indicated a great
difference in opinion on a claim
that converters costing as low as
needed to enable a black and white
type set to receive color pro-
grams.
Technical Differences Cited.
The witness cited numerous
technical differences between the
eight or nine suggested color tele-
vision systems. His committee, he
explained, does not want to give
the impression that it opposes COL
or televtsion at this time, but it
believes that further exhaustive
tests should be made before a final
decision in favor Of any one sys-
TEN.
1t is UP to the FEC to deter
mine whether a suitable COMBAT
ibie or adaptable six. megacycle
band width color system is avail
aple now. he said. A compatible
system, he explained, is one in
which existing receivers can be
used to get color without modifl-
cation or major adjustments. An
adaptable system, he said, is one
that would require converters or
similar devices on existing sets.
In any event." Mr.. Fink said,
prior to the adoption of stand
ards for commercial use and a
determination on a particular
color system, a public field test of
at least six months should be un-
dertaken to assure that the pro-
posed service can be rendered"
Demonstrations Start Oct. I.
Demonstrations of color television
are planned for October by the
Columbia Broadcasting System at
= location to be announced later,
and October 10 by the Radio Corp.
Of America at the Washington
Hotel ballroom and WNBW studios
at the Wardman Park Hotel.
Others probably will be arranged
but limited space will confine ad-
mission to interested parties. the
FEC announced.
Existing channels are of the
Every high frequency" type,
whereas the proposed A would be
ultra high frequency" Most
present sets can tune in only on
VHF channels. but If equipped
with devices costing about $18|
they could receive UEIF channels,
technicians say:
. In addition to the Joint Tech
nical Advisory Committee. other
scheduled witnesses on the color
television question include the
Radio Manufacturers Association,
RCA, CHS. Color Television, Inc;
DR.. Charles w. Geer of the Uni
versity of Southern California,
DR.. Leon Rubenstein. PhilcoI
Corp. and Allen D. Dumont Lab
-oratories, Inc.