Color Film Standards and Operating Practices for Television

In 1961 the American Broadcasting Company initiated color network programming from film. Since no industry standards for the characteristics of color prints for television use were available, such recommended standard characteristics were created by ABC for this purpose. This paper discusses the gratifying results of a year's experience in the application of these practices and gives in some detail the reasons for the density range and color balance recommended. The paper is of particular interest to television engineers since it gives specific recommendations for steps necessary in television broadcasting to obtain optimum results in color programming from film. These recommendations include the proper care in installation and adjustment of the color film camera, the precise adjustment of levels and transfer characteristics of the three color separation channels in the color camera, the standardization of color temperature of the multiplexed projectors, the maintenance of color adjustments during operation and the use of color film which meets the color balance and density standards recommended.