Evening star., 1953-12-18
TeIevision in Color
Starts, but Sets for
Public Aren't Ready
By Robert E. Geieer
Associated Press Stoff Writer

~ NOOCAN Gs 0Sl4Cb
Associated Press Stoff Writer
The gateway to a color tele-
vision era has been pushed open
anew by the Government, but
color TV for the average fan is
still many months and many
hundreds of dollars away.
Virtually no color receivers are
available to the public now, and
probably won't be for months. or
longer. When they do come, in
dustry sources estimate color
set with a 1212-inch picture will
cost about 81, ZOO. Mass produc-
tion is expected to bring the
price down later.
For broadcasters, too, color TV
will mean big outlays of money.
The Federal Communications
Commission announced yester-
day its approval of a new color
broadcasting system.
Almost at once, networks were
on the air with color telecasts,
racing to be first. Owners of
present sets could see them in
the usual black and white.
Will Standardize Systems.
FEC emphasized that point in
approving a new system replac-
ing one developed by the Co.
lumbia Broadcasting System and
approved by the commission in
1850.
The new system was developed
by the industry through it's Ma
tional Television System Com
mittee and was proposed for
adoption by the commission last
August. Commission approval
means it will standardize color
broadcasting systems. of which
there are several.
The new system becomes the
official color method 80 days
after publication of the an
nouncement in the Federal Reg
lister, Government bulletin. It
may take a week or 10 days for
publication.
Meanwhile, NBC is planning
a special Christmas broadcast in
color, as well as the Pasadena
(Calif) Tournament of Roses
parade. preceding the Rose Bowl
football game. Both NBC and
CHS are planning color telecast-
ing of their regular programs on
a rotating basis plus some reg
ular color shows. expanding
operations gradually.
NBC Claims Priority.
ABC reported it is not equipped
for color. but will be, now that
a new system has been approved
Du Mont said it planned color
programs but has no schedule
thus far.
NBC claimed it was first or
the air with color last night
carrying a bulletin with a col
ored insignia at $3.50 pm. (EST)
and color telecast at $50. CHS
claimed the first color program
at 6:15 pm.
The CHS method, which the
new system replaces, required a
mechanical revolving wheel in
side receivers. The new system
is all electronic, without moving
parts. The CHS system, required
extra equipment for present re-
ceiverS to receive color broad
casts. and then only in black
and white.
The CHS system never re-
ceived wide acceptance. A clamp
down on strategic materials dur
ing the Korean war prevented
quantity manufacture of sets.
Few Sets Manufactured.
Industry officials have indi-
Gated few of the new Television
Committee color sets have been
manufactured, and virtually all
are in the hands of manufac-
turers. dealers and others in
the industry. DR.. w. r. G.
Baker, vice president of General
Electric, and chairman of the
committee, has said color for
the millions may be two or
three years away.
One industry source noted re.
Gently that if $4,000 color set.
are produced in 1854, at Least
10000 of the Nations $4,000
dealers would get one set each
for samples. and the remaining
10000 would be needed by broad.
casters, advertisers and othel
key people in sales and service
The FEC announcement sale
it has been estimated it will
cost a televiSion station up tt
$187 $50 for all equipment need
ed for participating fully in color
broadcaSting. This includes the
broadcaSting of network pro.
grams, color film and slides anC
live pickups of local programs
If a station wanted to handle
network programs only, it might
get by for $24,50o worth of new
equipment, the FEC estimated
Equipment for reproducing color
slides was estimated to cost $43,.
$50; for color film, $5O,600, and
for. live njckIInS x6Q 5n0