teaching aids
1
W. Robert Barnard Evergreen State College Olympia. Washington 98501
Six years ago the position of Super-8 films in the chemistry classroom and laboratory appeared under some challenge from TV systems including Electronic Video Recording-EVR and the 'h-1-in. video tape recorder. Super-8 sound film is now becoming an increasingly familiar term. New offerings of quality instructional films from publishers and film h o k e s as weli as improved equipment combining film and TV equipment is being announced monthly. Surprisingly, there is not a great deal of heavy duty editing equipment or ruggedized projectors suitable for the classroom. Recent developments in projectors have been more towards highly automatic units with integral screens as well as the traditional capability to project an image on a wall screen. The Kodak Video Reader is capable of converting the S-8mm film into a TV image, and the film cartridge used in a video reader will also fit a conventional Kodak cartridge sound projector. The most recent development is responsive projectors with sound synchronized with Super-8 film in an improved sound filmstrip format.
Sound Motion Picture Systems
There are three methods for producing Super-8 sound films in which the image is carried on film with the sound: (1) on a separate tape cassette. (2) on maaneticallv stripped film, (3)-or with optical printing (thus bbtaining sound films similar to those used in standard motion picture projectors). The type of sound systems normally associated with teacher-produced Super-8 films is (21, the magnetic stripped film. It is the simplest to use where the sound is added in the post production stage, e.g., to an
edited silent film. Several projectors (Fig. 11, e.g., the Bolex SMRB, Eumig Mark S-705 D, Bauer T-40, Fuji SHIM, and Rollei Model P84T are good examples of magnetic sound projectors. The quality of Super-8 magnetic sound is comparable to that of a 16mm optical sonnd film when projectors are used with appropriate accessory speakers. Many Super-8 films released for commercial use have optical sound tracks. Printing large quantities of Super-8 optical sound films is somewhat less expensive since one step of recording sound on a master magnetic track and transferring it to the print is eliminated. Further, an optical track cannot be accidently erased. Projectors which can record and playback sound on magnetically stripped film as well as produce sound from optical Super-8 film include the Eumig 5-710 O/m and the Bolex SP80. Both of these projectors project Super-8 film only. Projectors operating with film cartridges are offered by Bolex, MPO, Bohn-Benton, Viewlex, Technicolor, Bell & Howell, Fairchild, Eumig and Kodak. Technicolor, Viewlex, Fairchild, MPO, and Bohn-Benten have retained the continuous loop concept in their cartridge design, whereas the other manufacturers base their cartridge design on the familiar reel, where during projection, film is spooled from a reel within the cartridge into an internal take-up reel within the projector. Bolex projectors with reel-based cartridges are not completely compatible with the Bell & Howell and Kodak formats. The Kodak supermatic AV150 is a typical cartridge magnetic sound projector, taking Kodak Size A-D cassettes up to 400 ft in length. A system of producing and playing sound and picture
Figure 1. Bolex SP 80. A Super-8 sound prolector that lets the teacher add sound to a film. This new model features manual or automatic adjustment of recording levels, a control knob for sound dissolves, a footage counter and a locking device to prevent accidental erasure. recordingiplayback volume control. i t has a 15-30mm f11.3 lens, automatic reel-to-reel threading. 600 ft reel capacity. forward and reverse projection. and 18 or 24 frames per second speed. Suggested list price: $399.50 More information is available from Paillard inc.. 1900 Lower Rd.. Linder. N. J. 07036.
Figure 2. The Fairch#ld/Eumig 711 Projector utilizes the cassette-type cartridge. The model 711 is sound playback only: a "R" versmn is a sound recording and playback projector. All major functions, eg.. start. stop, rewind and repeat are pushbuttan controlled. Rewind is automatic and the projector cartridge system is compatible with other Kadak cassette-type cartridges, The unit runs at both 18 and 24 frames per second. Furnished with a 15-30-mm zoom lens. Information is available from Fairchild Camera and Instrumen1 Corp. Industrial Products Oiv.. 75 Mall Drive Commack. L. i.. N. Y. 11725.
Sound for Films
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Figure 3. Bolex 18-3 Duo Prolector. Far Super-8. Single-8 and 8mm film. Permits 3, 6. 9. and 12 and 18 frames per second projection. Speeds can be changed during projection either in forward or reverse running modes. Sound can be added to films since a tape recorder start/stop can be controlled by cable. This unit has automatic threading and a 1530mm f / t . 3 zoom lens. Suggested list price 5199.50. Mare information is available from Paillard inc.. 1900 Lower Road. Linden. N. J. 07036.
on separate film and magnetic cassettes is gaining popularity in the European amateur market, primarily due to the great flexibility of the system (Fig. 3). Various combinations of live and nost recording with or without synchronization of picture and sound is possible in these svstems. Manv advanced Suner-8 motion picture cameras carry contacts for connection to external systems which record synchronizing signals on a separate track in a cassette tape recorder. These signals then control the running speed of a projector to keep the picture in syncronization with the sound. The simplest way of linking the cassette with the projector is demonstrated in the Norse Norimat dual gauge projector in which the projector is combined with a built-in cassette recorder driven by the projector motor. Many systems use special design cassette recorders, e.g., the Fujica Puls-Sync system involves a connection to the camera so that the film and tape start and stop simultaneously on operation of the camera. For playback the Puls-Sync tape recorder is linked to the projector via a controller which regulates the projector speed. The Braun Synton FP is a similar control unit for projector synchronization, which can link a tape recorder with the Braun FP7 or FP5 projectors. The Agfa Movector 4000 has the sound control unit huilt in and is controlled by direct connection to a Phillips 2209 AV Cassette recorder, which has the signal recording features huilt in. When a film is shot on Agfa's Movexoom 400, the camera is linked directly to the cassette recorder. In Britain several systems using %-in. perforated magnetic tape with the perforations having the same interval as Super-8 film, have been developed. The perforations are "read," converted into control pulses, and feed into the camera to keep it running in synchronization with the audio recording. Once the film is processed the perforated tape can he edited in parallel with the film's conspicuous perforations as the common reference. More sophisticated systems are offered by Norelco in the PIP system, and Beseler with the Cue-See projector (Fig. 4). The electronic synchronizing pulses are placed on the PIP audio cassette as a separate step in the film laboratory with a pulse unit or with Cue-See using a special recording projector. A variable frame rate is possible with the systems which permit a projection rate from 1 frame/ sec to 24 frames/sec. Thus it is possible to arrest the film for a still picture projection as in a film strip while the tape carrying an appropriate sound track runs for some time. Or the film can run for an animation effect which might he useful if graphic material were being presented.
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Flgwe 4 , The Beseler Cue'See Projector. The v s u a porton of the pragram is loaded i n a Technicoor Super-Smm cartridge w h c h s easlly inserted into the projector for viewng. The sound track is on a separate standard audio tape cassette which loads into the front of the unit as does the film. The tape casselte contains the pulse program for advancing the film at required speeds. The film can be programmed by tape to freeze frames without loss of focus or light loss or film can run from 6 or 12 (slow motion) a9 well as 18 01 24 frames per second. Visuais are fast advanced for rapid return to beginnng of film. It has a buiil in 6 X 8-in. screen, or by opening a rear gate a film can be projected onto a wall screen. The Beseler Cue/See has a model with built-in tape recorder and programming facility. Model 2300 Playback. $495: 2400 Playback and record. $620. More information available from Charles Beseler Go.. 8 Fernwood Rd.. Florham Park. N. J. 07932.
Figure 5 The Norelco Programmed lndvrdual Presentatan i P P 1 S ~ S tem is an individual viewng devce based on Super-8mm film rear~projected in any mode from single frame to 24 frames per second, The picture advance is directed by pulses from a standard audio cassette which also provides the audio program. Norelco selis production iab equipment necessary to prepare master audio programs. A separate teacher-operable pulse mastering unit is also available. The film is carried in a special cassette within the projector and its image appears on a 4 X 6-in. screen; wall screen projection is also possible. For further information contact North A m e m a n Phillips C o r p . Audio Vlsuai Systems Div.. One Philips Parkway, Montvale. N. J. 07645.
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The conventional full motion projection speed is also possible. The film is contained in a projection cassette or cartridge and standard tape cassettes are used for the audio. The Phillips projector produced for the system shows the film on a 4% X 6%-in. internal projection screen for individual viewingor reflects onto a small wall screen (Fig. 5). Film scanning is another way in which Superd can compete with television tape. The only device on the market which has built an effective. bridge between Super-8 film and TV tape is the Kodak Video Player (Fig. 6). Imv roved color. ease of editine. -. the convenience of a cartridge and flexibility in determining program length are positive features for video players. The main drawback at
Figure 6. The Kodak Supermatic film videoplayer. Both sound and silent Super-€ mm film can be converted to video tape, played through a closed circuit N system or displayed on conventional receivers with this unit. The video player accepts Kodak cassettes in 50-400 ft slzes as well 8s conventional reels. Features include: pushbutton controls. still frame. automatic rewind. Projection speeds are 18 and 24 frames per second. Further information is available from Eastman Kodak Go.. 343 State Street. Rochester. N. Y . 14650.
the moment is a comparatively limited resolution in the TV scanning systems which is a significant factor below that available with Super-@projected in the classroom. The positive feature of being able to reach a large number of students, e.g., in multiple laboratories or through several TV receivers mounted in the lecture room is worthy of serious consideration. Two film cameras are of interest, Kodak's Ektasound Super-8 cameras use prestripped film and a new larger (200 ft) sound cartridge. The prestripped film will cost $1.75 more than the regular Super-8 cartridges and will be available in Kodachrome U and Ektachrome 160. The cameras are of Kodak XL or existing light design for filming without movie lights indoors. Cameras will sell for $189.50 and $274.50 with a projector going for $219.50 for playback-only version or $279.50 for recorder-playback version. Fujica has introduced the 25400 camera which produces optical sound in the single 8 format. The sound is recorded on an optical track along the unperforated edge of the film with a standard picture sound separation hetween image and sound frames. This results in the same limitation of live sound recordings as with magnetic sound cameras and virtually precludes subsequent editing. The ZS400 could, however, be used to produce short single concept films, where careful preparation of the program could make subsequent editing unnecessary. If the two systems can suitably simplify the editing and playhack steps the sound-on-film camera will have a tremendous impact on the film industry, particularly on the makers of the somewhat awkward systems which separate sound and optical recording and playback equipment. A summary of available equipment is given in the table.
Tvuical Sound Motion Picture Proiectors Model
Format
Projea'on
Allied Impex Corlr., I68 OIonn Coue Rood, Corle P l a n , N Y , I1514 Bauer P6 Automatic 16mm Front ,. ....- , Bauer T I 6 Super-S Front Bell & Howell Co., A d l o Visual Diu., 7100 MeCormich Rd., Chimgc, I L 60645 Filmosound 15008 16mm Front Surer 8 Msmetic Sum=-8 Pront
Super-8 Fmnt 4782 & 8mm Chorlrs Beseler Co., 8 Fernluwd Rood, Florham Pork, New Jersgr 07932 Beseler CueISee Suner-8 Combination ~~~~
Surnd Opt-Mag Magnetic
600 f t reel
Optical Maenetic
20m f t reel 600 f t reel
Magnetic
400 f t reel Or cassette
Maenetic cassette
Technicolor cartridge
Eostman Kodoh Co., 343 State St., Rochester, N . Y . 14650 Pageant AV-126-TR 16mm Fmnt Optical Supermatie 60; 70 Super-8 Front; Comb Magnetic Eumig ( U . S . A . ) , Ine., Lohe Success Business Porh, 225 Community DI., Oreat Neck, N . Y . 11020 Mark-S710D Super-8 Front Magnetic &8mm Super-.? Front Magnetic Mark-S705 MarkS-802 Super-8 Front Magnetic Fairchild Indvstriol Pmduets, 75 Moll D T ~ Y Commod, B. N Y 11725 Rear 1SXll") Magnetic Seventy-07 Su~er-8 o r front Supr-8 Rear 19 X 12") Magnetic
711 and 711R
2000 f t reel
(R) is record
2000 f t *eel 400 f t cassette 600 i t reel 6W f t reel 600 f t reel 400 f t cartridge 400 f t cartridge 400 f t cassette or reel
Graflax Din., Sinaer Company. 3750 Monme A w . . Rochester, N Y 14603
Optical Ioata-Load 16mm Front International Audio Visual Ine., 119 Blanchord Sf., Seattle, W A 98121 0~tie.d 16mm Front Royal ST-OH M P O Videofmnic Pmjoetor Corp., 305 E. 46 St., New York, N Y , 10017 Magnetic Compact Super-8 Rear (9 X 12") Norelm Trainin* & Ed. Diu.. North Ameriron Philios . C w.. . 36 Abbalt ~ A.w . . Morristown. ~ ~ N J 07960 PIP in30 super-8 R~~~ (5 ~ 6 " ) ti^ or front cassette Paillord, Ine., 1900 I a w r Road, Linden, N J 07036 Balex S P 80 Super-8 Front Magnetic Boler SM 8 Super4 Fmnt Magnetic Super-S Front Magnetic Bolea 18-3 Duo ~
2000 f t reel 2400 f t reel 20-min cartridge 60 f t cassette MO f t reel 800 f t reel 400 f t reel
~
tape recorder Sonhyo Seihi [America) Inc., 149 5th Aur., Now York, N . Y . 10010 Sankyo Sound 600 Super-S Front Technimlor, lnc., Audlo-Visual Systems, 299 Kalmur Driue, Costa Mesa, C A 92627 Showcase Super-8 Rear [SX 10") Madel 1300 Super-8 Rear (7x9') Viewlex, I n c . , I B m o d m y A M . , Halbmoh, N Y I1741 Superviewer 192 Super-8 Front
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Magnetic
MOftreel
Optical Optical
580 f t cartridge 580 i t cartridge
Optical
Technimlor cnrtridee
