Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers ( Volume: 52, Issue: 5, May 1949)

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Zero-Shift Test for Determining Optimum Density in Variable-Width Sound Recording

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Publisher: SMPTE
Doc Type: Journal Article
Article Type: research-article
Abstract: In variable-width sound recording, the fidelity of the recorded wave form depends in part upon the sensitometric conditions to which the photosensitive materials are subjected. The well-known cross-modulation test is available for determining the optimum sensitometric conditions which result in minimum distortion. Another method of determining the optimum density under any given processing conditions, the zero-shift test, has been used for several years in the Kodak Research Laboratories. In this test, the average transmission of a high-frequency sine-wave track is compared with that of an unmodulated, unbiased track at the same image density, by means of a simple physical densitometer. At optimum density, where photographic distortion is minimum, these two transmissions are equal. Measurements at a single image density show directly whether that density lies above, below, or at the optimum. Optimum density thus determined is in good agreement with that found by the cross-modulation test. The equipment required is simple and only a small amount of film is needed. The zero-shift test is recommended for use in cases where the more extensive cross-modulation test is not believed to be justified.
Publication Date: 1949-05-01
DOI: 10.5594/J12488
Link: https://doi.org/10.5594/J12488
Author(s): C. H. Evans, R. C. Lovick

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C. H. Evans and R. C. Lovick; Zero-Shift Test for Determining Optimum Density in Variable-Width Sound Recording, Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers ( Volume: 52, Issue: 5, May 1949); SMPTE, 1949. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/J12488

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C. H. Evans and R. C. Lovick; Zero-Shift Test for Determining Optimum Density in Variable-Width Sound Recording, Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers ( Volume: 52, Issue: 5, May 1949); SMPTE, 1949. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/J12488

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<span class="citation">C. H. Evans and R. C. Lovick; <cite>Zero-Shift Test for Determining Optimum Density in Variable-Width Sound Recording</cite>, Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers ( Volume: 52, Issue: 5, May 1949); SMPTE, 1949. Available at <a href="https://doi.org/10.5594/J12488" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.5594/J12488</a></span>

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<li>
C. H. Evans and R. C. Lovick; <cite id="bib-10-5594-j12488">Zero-Shift Test for Determining Optimum Density in Variable-Width Sound Recording</cite>, Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers ( Volume: 52, Issue: 5, May 1949); SMPTE, 1949
<span class="doi">10.5594/J12488</span>
</li>