EDITORIAL NOTES.

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 12, 5 October 1928, Page 6

EDITORIAL NOTES.

TN another column, we publish in full a comprehensive and informative article on television from the pen of Edgar H. Felix. Mr. Felix is the technical consultant to the Radio Broadcasting Co. of New Zealand, Ltd., and is a recognised authority on radio. Of late, so much has been appearing in the cablegrams of developments and experimental transmissions in connection with television that we have thought it worth while to devote the extensive space we do give to this full treatment of the subject from the pen of Mr. Felix. It is clear that already a high standard of efficiency has been attained in connection with transmission of still photographs. In fact, the standard is so good that it is now on a commercial basis, and dress fashions conceived in Paris are radioed to America. In addition, photographs for newspaper reproduction are regularly transmitted across the Atlantic and reproduced daily by sections of the Press in both countries. | ‘THE transmission of ‘stills’ is, however, different from the transmission of moving subjects. In that field much progress is still to be made, but it is quite plain that success will ultimately be attained, just as each year of late has seen improvements effected in the standard of radio broadcasting. The subject is so attractive that a great deal of publicity has been given to it in all countries, and the public have been led to expect more in performance than is at present possible. As a consequence of this undue emphasis of attainment, there has been a degree of disappointment. It is plain that the demand for television is strong, but any attempt to meet that demand by premature exploitation will do more harm than good. Before television apparatus will be bought by the public, there must be something to receive. Transmitting stations must be established and operating on a highly successful basis. This is not yet possible. The whole subject is in the experimental stage, and as will be seen from the perusal of the technical article which we give, much ground has yet to be covered before success will be fully attained. ITH the impending departure of the aviators, headed by Captain Kingsford Smith, in the "Southern Cross," on their return flight to Australia, full appreciation can be extended to the important change wrought in the mental outlook of New Zealand so far as aviation is concerned by their visit. The people of New Zealand, by virtue of avid devotion to newspapers, magazines, and books, keep abreast as far as they can of world developments and world attainments, but it is plain that the isolation to which we are geographically subject has prevented us from appreciating, as a people, the full scope of the progress that has been made in other parts of the world in aviation. In this respect, therefore, Captain Kingsford Smith in essence came to virgin soil, and forced upon the consciousness of the people appreciation that aviation in the commercial sense is here, and that it has a bearing upon our national life. In that development radio has played its part, and in the further development of aviation upon a commercial basis radio will prove to be an essential handmaiden to progress. Without detracting in the slightest from the personal capacity and bravery of the aviators concerned, the real tribute of their achievement must be credited, we think, to the scientific attainment embodied in the instruments of which they are making so capable a use. Without technical efficiency in the mechanical means of propulsion, without infinite exactitude in the scientific instruments upon which navigational accuracy depends, and without the intimacy of touch provided by radio communication, their outstanding feat would have been impossible. In their return flight to Australia the very best wishes of New Zealanders will follow them.