Magna-Tech Electronic Co., Inc.

Magna-Tech Electronic Co., Inc. (MTE) is an American company founded in 1956 by Otto Popelka in Manhattan, New York City. Initially focused on manufacturing sound recording equipment for film post-production, MTE quickly gained a reputation for high-quality products. In the late 1960s, Popelka and his team introduced an electronically controlled looping system, which was adopted by major sound studios and earned Popelka an Academy Award for Technical Achievement in 1970. Under the leadership of Norman T. Prisament, who became president in 1972, the company expanded its client base to include all major Hollywood studios and production companies, and later expanded into Europe, Canada, Australia, and Asia. MTE received further Academy recognition, including a Scientific and Engineering Award in 1974 and a Technical Achievement Award in 1990. After Prisament's death in 1986, the company was sold and eventually filed for bankruptcy in 1994, after which it was purchased by Steven H. Krams and relocated to Miami, Florida. In 2002, MTE merged with International Cinema Equipment Co. (ICECO), founded by Krams in 1975. Since then, MTE has specialized in the design and supply of audio, video, film, and support systems for cinemas, theaters, museums, planetariums, cruise ships, and other cultural and educational institutions. Today, MTE offers a total solution for state-of-the-art digital or film-based cinema, including consulting, architectural design, equipment supply, installation, and technical support. The company operates worldwide through a partner program and has received numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Technical Achievement and three Academy Citations. MTE is headquartered at 8101 NW 33rd Street, Miami, FL 33122, USA.

Magna-Tech Electronic Co., Inc. (MTE) was founded in 1956 by Otto Popelka in Manhattan, New York City. Popelka, who had previously worked at Reeves Soundcraft Corporation, aimed to manufacture sound recording equipment for film post-production. Although MTE products were reputed to have a high quality standard, it remained a small company serving local customers in New York City until the late 1960s. In the fall of 1968, Popelka and his team introduced an electronically controlled looping system, initially called "Electronic Post-Sync." The system developed by Popelka was first installed at Manhattan Sound Studio and then quickly adopted by other sound studios in New York City. By the end of 1970, the then-leading Hollywood sound studio Glen Glenn Sound also acquired the MTE-developed system. In 1970, Popelka was awarded the Academy Award for Technical Achievement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the development of the electronically controlled looping system ("For the development of an Electronically Controlled Looping System"). Otto Popelka retired in the early 1970s. Norman T. Prisament bought his shares and, as President, developed the company over the following decades into the market leader for post-production technology, especially after the withdrawal of previously dominant companies RCA and Westrex Corp. from the industry. Under Prisament's leadership, Magna-Tech Electronic invested heavily in research and development for new products and developed, among other things, the world's first successful fully electronic 16/35 mm combination projection system for post-production as well as a looping system. In 1974, MTE was awarded the Academy Award for Scientific and Engineering for the engineering and development of a high-speed re-recording system for motion-picture production. The company was then able to significantly expand its customer base and soon served all major Hollywood studios as well as many production companies in New York City. Later, the company expanded into Europe, Canada, Australia, and Asia. Norman T. Prisament, who served as president from 1972 until his death, died on January 8, 1986, at the age of 63. After his death, the company was sold and was able to maintain its market position until the early 1990s. After severe declines in demand for studio technology in the early 1990s, MTE went bankrupt in 1994 and was sold to Steven H. Krams, who relocated the company headquarters to Miami, Florida. In 2002, MTE merged with International Cinema Equipment Co. (ICECO), a cinema technology supplier founded in 1975 by Krams. Since then, the company has specialized in the development and supply of audio, video, film, and support systems for cinemas, theaters, museums, planetariums, cruise ships, and other cultural and educational institutions. Today, MTE offers a total solution for state-of-the-art digital or film-based cinema, including consulting, architectural design, equipment supply, installation, and technical support. The company operates worldwide through a partner program and has received numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Technical Achievement and three Academy Citations.

• 2002

  Merged with International Cinema Equipment Co. (ICECO).

• 1994

  Filed for bankruptcy; sold to Steven H. Krams; headquarters moved to Miami, Florida.

• 1990

  Received Academy Award for Technical Achievement for remotely controlled advance/retard function.

• 1986

  Norman T. Prisament died; company sold.

• 1979

  Norman T. Prisament awarded SMPTE Samuel L. Warner Memorial Medal.

• 1974

  Received Academy Award for Scientific and Engineering for high-speed re-recording system.

• 1972

  Norman T. Prisament became president after buying Popelka's shares.

• 1970

  Otto Popelka received Academy Award for Technical Achievement for the looping system.

• 1968

  Introduced electronically controlled looping system (Electronic Post-Sync).

• 1956

  Founded by Otto Popelka in Manhattan, New York City.

Total solution provider for state-of-the-art digital or film-based cinema and AV integration, with over 40 years of experience and Academy Award-winning engineering.

• Electronically Controlled Looping System

  Post-production sound looping system, first installed at Manhattan Sound Studio.

• High-speed re-recording system

  For motion-picture production, awarded Academy Scientific and Engineering Award in 1974.

• Fully electronic 16/35 mm combination projection system

  World's first successful system for post-production.

• Remotely controlled advance/retard function for magnetic film sound dubbing

  First of its kind, awarded Academy Technical Achievement in 1990.

1. 1Design and supply of equipment for cinemas, professional multimedia solutions - Magna-Tech Electronic Co.magna-tech.com
2. 2About us - Magna-Tech Electronic Co.magna-tech.com
3. 3Services - Magna-Tech Electronic Co.magna-tech.com
4. 4Awards - Magna-Tech Electronic Co.magna-tech.com
5. 5Magna-Tech Electronic Co., Inc. - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Magna-Tech Electronic Co., Inc. - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org