TELEVISION

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3822, 16 October 1936, Page 5

TELEVISION

ON VIEW AT OLYMPIA. EXPERIMENTS NOT COMPLETED. London, August 29. London’s first television station is in being. The first 8.8. C. organised television programme was given from Alexandra Palace this week, and was received at the Radio Exhibition at Olympia. Thousands queued up fcr a glimpse of this latest marvel, and three free shows a day were staged. Prior to these demonstrations not more than 300 or 400 people outside the laboratories and workshops of the manufacturers had seen high definition television in England. Proof was given beyond all doubt that television, so long talked about and anticipated, has come to stay.

The days when it may be regarded as a general form of entertainment comparable with wireless are far distant however. For one thing, it is far more expensive than wireless; for another, it is vastly more complicated. The average cost of the smallest set is in the vicinity of £lOO, and the distance of reception is not greatly in excess of 25 miles. The cost of transmitting television, too, is heavy, and the building of apparatus, and the choosing of staffs and artists for several stations throughout the country is not a matter for immediate contemplation. Two years, it is estimated, are required before tie novelty of television gives way to a more practical side. In the meantime valuable experience will be gained once the set programmes begin.

At Olympia the spectators leaned over rails and watched the minature picture screen a few feet away. It was for all the world like an ordinary talking picture, but seen from a distance and with an accentuated flickering which was somewhat disconcerting for the first few moments. But while the features of Mr. Charles Laughton as Rembrandt might have been blurred slightly, and although he might show a sudden tendency to “bulge” momentarily in various directions without the slightest warning, his voice was as immaculate as ever. Films lasting twenty minutes will be a feature of the early programmes, which will also include dance band shows, lessons on horsemanship (for riding is very popular in England these days), news items, travel, and occupational talks.