RCS StereoVision

• ''1st Audiovisual Stereo Unit Out. New York. What is believed to be the first audiovisual system that eliminates use of a regular television screen, and offers full stereo sound reproduction, has been developed by Retention Communication Systems, Inc (RCS). The RCS StereoVision unit consists of a player with front and rear screen projection capabilities, and utilizes a combination of a 4-track endlees loop audio magnetic tape with jacks for 4-channel service and super 8 film in a single cartridge closely resembling an 8-track audio cartridge. The entire package weights a mere 9 1/2 pounds. The unit, industrial models of which are alredy on the production line, will be available in full color, which cartridge capacity of up to 56 feet of film and one full hour of audio. Estimated price tag on the industrial units will be under $200, with home units, when they go on the market either of the end of this year or early in 1972, selling at almost half that cost. Average cost of half hour color cassettes will be about $3. According to Paul Catalano, chairman of the board of RCS, the StereoVision unit is not a technological breakthrough. "All we have done", he said, "is adapted existing technologies and facilities and created a high performing, versatile, compact unit". The unit, which will be officially presented at the Cartridge Television Convention in Cannes, France, in April this year, utilizes full transistorized circuitry, and simple coponents. It can perform in fully lighted rooms, and offers filmstrip technique, animation and full motion picture. Catalano explained that with the unit utilizing a mere 24 frames per second for full motion picture performance, film footage is considerably reduced resulting in additional savings for the consumer. The RCS StereoVision unit was originally planned as a vehicle for the company's video software, of which Retentions Communication Systems is a producer of major proportions, boasting, among its clients, such companies as McGraw Hill, Sterling Educational, Follet and Ealing. Although Catalano sees the RCS system as being ideally suited, because of costs and easy of operation, for the home entertainment market, he feels that its greatest application and concentration will be in the industrial and educational fields. RCS is working closely with several manufacturers for the production of units on a non-exclusive licensing basis. Said Catalano, "We have no desire to manufacture the system ourselves, but would prefer to devote our time, energies and finances to the development of a fully comprehensive software market". Billboard, The International Music-Record-Tape Newsweekly, March 6 1971.

• "Southam Videotel Limited of Toronto and Retention Communication Systems Incorporated of New York have announced the signing of an agreement whereby Southam Videotel Limited will be exclusive distributors of the revolutionary new Retention tm A/V system in Canada. Under this agreement, Southam Videotel Limited will also supply the necessary pulsing and loading of the Retention cassettes in Canada. This new audio visual system combines super 8mm colour strip film and a separate magnetic sound track, each in a continuous loop in a single pocket size cassette, weighing less than 3 ounces, thus offering low-cost maihng. The image can be projected externally, or onto its own self-contained rear screen. The Retention A/V set and cassette system offers flexibility, clarity, and features normally available only in multiple systems. The projector, which weighs only 15 pounds, converts from the 48 square inch rear screen to large screen projection at the flip of a switch. The stop, start, and volume controls are on the front for easy access. A receptable allows for external speakers for large screen projection; or for training purposes up to 6 sets of headphones may be used, along with a remote control responsive stop-start switch. The set is fully automatic, and the track can be programmed to advance the picture at any speed up to 8 frames per second, or hold on any one frame indefinitely. The unique cooling system allows full brilliance without film damage. The cassette has the capacity for up to 3,600 frames of visuals or 30 minutes of audio programming, and can be removed at any time during the program. It will resume playing where it left off when re-inserted, and can be pre-programmed to stop as many times as needed when used in a training situation. For additional information on this unique new Retention system, please write or phone Southam Videotel Limited, 1450 Don Mills Road, Don Mills, Ontario. (416)499-7552". Cinema Canada magazine, 1972.

• US patents: 3,610, 747 Cartirdge-Loaded Film Strip Projector, Particularly For Narrow Film - filed August 22 1968 - patented October 5 1971; 3,733,119 Audio-Visual System, filed December - filed December 14 1970 - patented May 15 1973; 3,669, 374 Combined Endless Loop Film And Endless Loop Magnetic Tape Cartridge - filed April 23 1979 - patented June 13 1972.