Network Broadcasting
Network Broadcasting is a short film from 1934 released on 16mm. It is held in the Prelinger Archives collection.
Contents. How telephone transmission lines are used to convey network programs to radio stations located in various sections of the country.
Opening scenes indicate the wide variety of modern uses of the radio. There follows a scene of an excited family listening to a radio program in 1922. On a map the principal broadcasting networks and lines of transmission are shown.
The next sequence shows the need for special transmission lines to carry the wide frequency range of radio programs. An animated diagram indicates the frequency range of the human voice, the bass viol, bassoon, violin, and piccolo. A brief explanation is given of overtones. The commentator explains that ordinary communication lines are not adequate for transmitting over such a wide frequency range. An orchestra is shown playing Schubert's Unfinished Symphony. A diagram accompanied by sound indicates how the music would sound first without the high notes, then without the low notes, then with all notes being transmitted.
On a map the number of stations carrying the Coolidge broadcast in 1923 is contrasted with the stations carrying a broadcast by President Roosevelt. In a supervisory office technical experts watch the circuits carrying a network broadcast. A map shows an alternate circuit that was selected when a storm made transmission over the usual route impossible. A technician plots the stations to be used in a broadcast and the stations are switched onto the wires. Closing views show broadcasts of various types, the transmission lines across the country, and men at work at the switchboards.
Appraisal. Excellent for (1) giving impressions of the procedure of transmitting a network radio program, (2) demonstrating the frequency range required for adequate transmission, and (3) indicating some vocational opportunities in radio. Should be useful in developing an appreciation of timing and cooperation required in the transmission of a network program, and in furthering an understanding of the importance of radio as a medium of mass communication.
The section dealing with sound (audio) frequencies is especially good. Vocational information is incidental to the film.
Silently displaying the diversity of programming and the variety of people and places that enjoy its reception, this film concentrates on the growth of radio networks and the increasing numbers of people who can appreciate it. It also gives its viewers the privilege to see behind the scenes -- to get a peek at the impressive electronic radio mechanisms and the serious commitment of the men working enthusiastically to make the programming come to life. The radio towers and telephones stretch across the hillsides and open spaces.
A radio dial is superimposed in a "V" shape by the following images: an orchestra, a football game, a male announcer, the stock exchange A woman lying in a hospital bed: A nurse turns a dial on a radio and the patient smiles A man turns a radio dial while a woman does the dishes Children in a classroom observe their teacher turning a dial on a radio Men sitting around a campfire A woman wearing a fur coat behind the wheel of a car turns a radio dial A little girl turns a radio knob in a living room setting Two pleased men look over the shoulder of a boy conducting radio experiments? Mother and other women converse at a distance. Animated map of the United States text and lines appear: "Orange Network, Brown Network, Blue Network, Purple network, Red Network, Program transmission" Slow fade into a piano keyboard, animation "Sound Frequencies" Close-up of music book cover "Schubert Symphonic" pages open with notes, turn into diagrams of "Sound Frequencies" Telephone poles, wires being flipped through, a man stands at a telegraph machine Animation of notes jumping from sheet music onto a staves, turning into instruments running, past "repeater station" after "repeater station" Animation map of the U.S.,"President Coolidge's Broadcast 1923 6 stations" Animation map of the U.S., "President Roosevelt's Broadcast January 30, (?)", "Program Transmission" Animation map of the U.S. circle zooms out to a center for Morse code and other electronic equipment Animation map of the U.S. with "Storm threat" messages being sent Pan of men working in front of electronic radio equipment Close-up of a man pushing buttons Close-up of man's profile Close-up of a clock, a few seconds before 9 Close-up of a man wearing headphones looking up Close-up of wires being connected in a switchboard musicians, a little girl, a band conductor, close-up of a man speaking into a microphone, kayak races, a horse race, a baseball game, a slow parade horses coming down the street, confetti flying in the air, Close-up of an excited announcer Telephone poles, moving over the hills, towers over the hillsides . . .
Man on top of a telephone pole, fixing the wiring| Network Broadcasting | |
|---|---|
| Produced by | 0 |
Production company | 0 |
| Distributed by | 0 |
Release date | 1934 |
Running time | 11:08 |
| Language | English |
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