On the Cinemation I used, I was able to use some circuits differently. I had a CP200, and it was able to handle some of the functions that the Cinemation was originally supposed to do, I could connect some pin/circuits to a different function. For example, (in the original design) there were three pin/circuits just to switch in/out the intermission music. I had an extra relay contact on the "START 1" trigger the CP200 "MUTE." The relay that opened the proj #1 zipper also triggered the CP200 "GO" button, which took it out of "MUTE." The "STOP BOTH" on the Cinemation triggered format "D" and "GO." So that freed up 3 pins.

My favorite was actually on the Gary Stanley UA barcode automation. When the SR cue is passed, for some reason the system pulses the processor into Dolby A for one second, then pulses into SR. Everyone I talk to thinks I'm crazy...but it happens. No one else is looking at the processor when the cue passes! Anyway, I moved commands around so now the A cue is hooked to toggle the remote/local fader. This way I can start the show with an SR cue and the remote fader is pulsed immediately followed by the SR. That eliminates needing two dedicated cues at the start to pulse into remote and then to pulse into SR.

It's too bad such a fabulous automation has such tremendous shortcomings.

The reason fail-safes must be run through the automation is that you need them to affect many different things at once. At startup, if the film isn't sitting correctly across the failsafe, you need it to signal "no start" back to the automation. In the case of a film break, you need it to shut down the motor, close the c/o douser, bring up the house lights, revert to non-synch (so you don't hear that odd slowing, tapering off sound) and, probably most important, sound an alarm of some kind. Now, granted, leads could be run from the failsafe to all these seperate devices, but it's much easier to start an automation program with one signal since the automation is already, by necessity, connected to every device you've got. Hope this helps.

I have seen people try to use the Maxi 9DC for changeovers with some sucess.

Currently, we use Kelmar's automations with their "integrator." Bascially, you get two automations (either the Series 4 or Series 7) and the integrator. If you want to run platter, no problem, turn off the integrator and start up normally. If you want to run changeover, no problem turn on the integrator, press start on the first projector's automation and it will run the rest of the show. You can leave the integrator on since it is only activated by a unique cue (we use the triple cue detectors with the 3-7 expander) so there are enough combinations to perform all the normal functions plus a unique changeover command. The nice thing about this is that a print can be cued for auto changeover and eventually be placed in a platter theatre within the same complex and not cause problems.

To my knowledge, it has NEVER missed a changeover (the failsafes are always active on start up and after the changeover opens to allow for bobble, Joe). Cueing the film at 20 feet prior to last frame always gets you a perfect changeover (at least on Simplex PR-1014 w/ 5-stars).

Steve

I know for certain I don't want the CA21. I'll stick to the "Raven" by Uni-Pec before I change automations. It will properly shut down when the fail safe goes down.

--Chris

If so, could you seperate the two and use them for different functions? Like a black diode for close curtian and a green diode for open curtian.

When I did the electrical set ups for our theater chain, I tried to make everything operate with only a pulse, rather than having a relay stay pulled in. By pulse, I mean a contact closes for only 1 sec or so, then opens up.

For example, most curtian motors only need a pulse on the common and "close" wire to close the curtian. Yet, there are several automations the will hold the "curtian close"
contacts together for a long time.

Chris, not to worry, I've ran plenty of AW3s and never ever had one die during a show. Occasionally I've had them fail on startup if the timing wasn't adjusted correctly or if the motor drive wheel was too worn down, but even that is rare. Get rid of that AW2.

I just finished going over a long list of details with Pennywise. They seem confident that these problems can be worked out. If they are and the new chip does everything it looks like it will, the CA21 will be the best automation in the world.

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