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The first public demonstrations of high-definition television in this country are being given to visitors to the Radio Exhibition at Olympia. The transmissions are being conducted from the Alexandra Palace by arrangement with the BBC, but it is emphasised that at the moment these broadcasts are of an experimental nature. Those responsible for the transmissions have been very hard at work during the last few weeks in the endeavour to get ready in time to give these first demonstrations at such an opportune time as the Olympia Radio Show.
The demonstrations are being given twice daily during the period of the Exhibition, from 12 noon to 1.30 pm., and from 4.30 until 6 pm, and commence with transmissions by the Baird system on the opening day of the Show, after which the EMl-Marconi and Baird systems will alternate. Elsewhere in this issue are some photographs and a general description of the arrangements at the Alexandra Palace are included, so as to give readers some impressions of 'the other side of the picture'.
Technical details of the transmitting equipment of the Baird Company and Marconi-EMI are to be available for publication, and we hope to be able to describe these systems for the benefit of our readers soon.
Visitors to the Show will also have the opportunity of inspecting a selection of modern television receivers, which will be on view on several stands, but they will not, of course, be demonstrated on the stands, nor will they be on sale. The date when television sets will first be for sale will, we understand, depend upon how soon the BBC feel satisfied that they can describe the transmissions as a service rather than experimental, but judging from what we have seen it seems likely that the commencement of the service need not be long delayed for technical reasons.
It is very gratifying that the organisers of the Exhibition and the BBC have determined that these demonstrations at Olympia should be the real thing and not something different in conditions of reception and transmission from what the public may expect to receive when the service starts. The public can now form its own opinion and know the worst or the best, whichever view may be taken.
How Will the Public React
It is certain that a very large proportion of the public will be amazed at the progress which television has made and at the success which has attended the very strenuous efforts of all concerned. It is equally certain that there will be a big section of the public who will register disappointment because they have been over-optimistic or have been led away to think that the accomplishment was even greater than it is by over-enthusiastic reports which have so frequently found their way into print.
The demonstrations at Olympia will serve the very valuable purpose of indicating to the public just where television stands and what is to be expected of it, and we believe that whilst there will be no overwhelming demand for television receivers at the outset, there will be steady buying by those who can afford an expensive instrument, and as these receivers get into the hands of the public they will provide propaganda to encourage others to participate in the enjoyment of the new service.
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