Evening star., 1953-12-18
CoIorfuI Outlook for V


remarkably successful experiment in
industrial cooperation has reached fitting
climax with the announcement of approval by
the Federal Communications Commission OF a
compatible" system of color television. 1t marks
an end to confusion and bitterness that had
attended earlier stages of color TV research
and development. The FEC itself cannot escape
some blame for the initial dissension.
The controversy over color television began
when two giants of the broadcasting industry,
the Radio Corporation of America and the
Columbia Broadcasting System, entered into
lively contest to obtain FEC approval of their
respective processes The RCA system employed
an electronic tube that produced color in
way that was compatible with conventional
black -and-white TV, that is, the color images
could be received in black and white on an
ordinary TV set. Compatibility was important
because it meant that the millions OF owners
of existing receivers could tune in on color
programs and receive them in black and white
tones without any set alterations or convertefs.
Of course, color pictures could not be received
without special equipment.
Meanwhile, CHS had devised a non-com-
patible system that could use either an elec-
tronic tube, which CHS did not then have, or
whirling color disc placed in front of a con-
ventional receiver The color thus transmitted
was regarded as good, but the pictures could
not be received on a black -and-white set
without wiring changes. FEC, under pressure
to make a decision, examined both RCA and
CHS processes carefully and arrived at the
conclusion that the CHS method was superior
to the then unprotected RCA process. Although
RCA urged a delay in final decision, to permit
further development of its compatible system,
the FEC impatiently announced in favor OF the
CHS standard. RCA protested the decision in
the courts, but the Supreme Court upheld the
authority of the FEC to make the choice. How
ever, the high court conceded that compatible
system of color television was preferable, II
available.
Outbreak of the Korean war and imposition
of controls on electronic materials prevented
further efforts to launch color TV commercially.
The interlude was used to good advantage by
the television industry, majority of whose
members agreed with the Supreme Court that
a compatible system was preferable to one that
required costly alterations in existing sets even
for colorless images. RCA was Joined by leading
manufacturers of TV receivers in forming
Joint committee. This group pooled all OF its
knowledge and resources in the interest OF
nerfectng compatible system that would meet
FEC requirements The RCA tube was the
nucleus around which the system finally
demonstrated 10 Cne FCC reVOlVcu. Auc ucul-
onstrations convinced the commission that
compatible color television had arrived" at
last Even CHS, toward the end, abandoned
its own process and supported the industry
system.
So the approved system now has the
unanimous backing of all segments of the tele-
vision industry-an important factor in its
favor But the public should understand that
the day of regular color television on broad
commercial scale is not yet here. 1t will take
several years before manufacturers generally
are ready to produce color receivers on guam
tity basis and at price within the reach of the
average TV fan. Meanwhile, owners OF con-
ventional receivers will have the satisfaction of
knowing that they can watch color broadcasts
in black and white shades at no extra expense.
The time is sure to come, of course, when color
sets will be marketed at reasonable prices. A
rosy new era for television lies ahead.
West Germany has 161 brands of cigarettes
for sale, and just getting enough private eyes to
advertise them on television could make it a
police state again.