Picture Transmission Will Operate Soon

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 11, 27 September 1929, Unnumbered Page

Picture Transmission Will Operate Soon

HE accompanying statement is important, and when picture transmission is an accomplished fact New. Zealand will be in line with Australia, America and Europe, where the system is now working satisfactorily. _ The first transmission of picturegrams in Australia took place between Sydney and Melbourne on September 9, 1929, when a public service ‘was inaugurated. The evening papers in Sydney received, through the medium of special apparatus installed by the Post and Telegraph Department, 'a leading article which had appeared in the Melbourne "Argus." In all, 83 pictures and advertisemente were transmitted between the two capitals. We reproduce ‘a picture which was transmitted on this day. It will be noticed that in spite of the fact that this is a reproduction from the Melbourne "Argus," that it is yet clear and fairly well defined. The picturegrams transmitted in Australia are not only newspaper illustrations, but advertisements, finger-prints, and documents. Several firms availed themselves of the service and’ lodged advertisements in Sydney and Melbourne which were ready for printing three hours © later. By ordinary postal. methods it would have been necessary to ledge these 24 hours earlier than the publication time of the paper. A half-page advertisement appearing in the "Argus," of September 10, appeared little the worse for its rapid journey. The actual sending time for this advextisement was twenty minutes. Other advertisements transmitted by wire appeared in the same issue. HESE picture transmissions are not a part of radiovision or television systems. In this respect a rather unfortunate impres-

sion was created by a city newspaper which, in. amplifying the .PostmasterGeneral’s statements, ran into a: long article headed "Television Promise." This article outlined the Baird system, and the uninformed reader in glancing it through would receive the impression that the Baird television system was to be employed be-

tween Auckland and Wellington. This is unfortunate. Although no information’ has yet been given regarding the system to be used in New Zealand, it is evident that the Baird radiovision system will not, for some considerable time, if ever, come into operaion. ‘The pictures are transmitted by wire.

They are photo or picturegrams. The system entails transforming an ordinary photograph, column of print, or document into varying intensities of electricity, and these are conveyed, via a telephone line, to the receiving end where, by the operation of a Neon cell, the electric impulses are reconyerted to light and shade. Radio does not come into the system at this stage. Reference to our last week's article will show just how far the art of radiovision has advanced in England. The Baird system is only yet experimental, whereas picture transmission, as ¢mployed in Australia, and which will be employed in New Zealand, is definitely past that stage. , The type of instrument te be used by the Post and Telegraph Department will, in all probability, be more costly and elaborate than those used for the broadcasting and reception of pictures for general purposes. It is thus not strictly similar to the Fultograph sysem employed regularly in-England. It it analogous only. THE results obtained through the operation of this system will be very far-reaching in their effect ag predicted in the "Australasian," of Sep-. tember 14. In its photographic section, two reproductions are made of the finish of the Cantérbury Park Stakes, at Sydney. One photograph was sent by telegraph to Melbourne, ‘and there reproduced for illustration purposes. The other was sent by post, and a compari- . son made between them fails 'to re--veal the better. It will soon be possible to have the latest news and photographs of events happening on the other side of the world reproduced in our daily newspapers. "THE application of this system to the home will be more limited. A broad(Continued on page 2.)

N important announcement was made by the Postmaster-General, the Hon. J. B. Donald, who,. in the _ course of a speech, made the following statement:-‘"I hope soon to have the transmission of photography by telegraph between Auckland and Wellington, and, following that, between Wellington and Christchurch and Dunedin." He went on to say that the system was already operating in Australia, and when it came into New Zealand, all the improvements made in Australia would be incorporated. "Also, we have heard something of radio telephones," he continued, "and when it is possible for us to have them you may be sure New Zealand will not lag behind." oO

Picture’ Transmission

(Continued from front page.) cast concert is of some interest because of its continuity. A picture can be examined, and after a few minutes is finished with. In most: cases, the reproduction in the daily papers will be sufficient. It then should be strictly a commercial service, and this of greatest value. Already on the Continent and in America valuable work has been done in the rapid tracking of criminals. Finger prints can be accurately sent, and accurately received, so that rapid steps may be taken to bring to justice any malefactor. Thus the system now operating in Australia, and promised for New Zealand, will be one of great commercial value, but must not be regarded as a new asset to the home.