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First, use a DTS Setup disc to check the DTS player. Load the disc and verify it pulses the CP to digital. Then, eject the disc to verify the CP is pulsed to optical. On a DTS-6 (2-drive unit), the default format is determined by a jumper on the DTS logic (accessory) board. For a CP65, its the D564.
If this works OK, then the problem is somewhere else.

Check that no cues are added to the film within timecode. The DTS player cannot "see" cues, it only "knows" timecode.

Verify the automation is not pulsing the CP back to optical after the DTS pulses it to digital. The DTS player will never "know" that the CP is in optical. The only way it "knows" it's no longer in digital is if timecode is interrupted or the discs fail. At show end, the DTS player should pulse the CP to NONSYNC.

After loading discs, verify the SYSTEM light is blinking. If it's nt blinking, the player is not ready. It usually means that the discs are not loaded.

When playing film, be sure the timecode light is on solid and not blinking a lot. Occassional blink is OK. But a reader that blinks all the time is not a good thing. If it happens on one reel only, it's probably a bad reel that needs replacement. If it happens on one film only, check the film & discs. See if moving the discs to another drive fixes the problem. A soild (amber) light on a drive indicates the drive cannot read the disc. The drive's amber light should wink when reading it's disc.

If the timecode light blinks all the time, it's a system problem, usually a tension problem. We have a troubleshooting guide to help. If you'd like it, send me an email.

BTW, removing the reader's "do not remove" sticker VOIDS warranty. Lateral adjustments may be made only as directed by DTS cinema field engineers (of which I am one). The lens is factory adjusted exactly to the width of our timecode track. Old readers (JURASSIC PARK era) w/o serial numbers do not have the same lens design.

If the reader's L.E.D. (red ro green) seem dim, then get a repair/exchange. I do not reccommend trying to fix readers in the field. They should be returned to DTS.

And, never -- EEEVER -- adjust the reader's lens!!! You'll get into hot water that will most likely force you into a repair/exchange.

I hope this assits you. Please let me know if you need any help.

Karen at DTS
khultgren@dtsonline.com

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I don't know if this is of any use, but we had a problem where the green LED on the DTS reader blinked often. It would loose sync once in a while (about every ten minutes.)

It turned out to be the speed of the projector. My understanding is that DTS timecode can't track if the projector speed is less than 18fps or above 30fps (I'm sure Karen will correct me if wrong.) Some limit of the PLL they use, I guess.

So, maybe a quick check of the speed might be a good idea?

So, did you try connecting the grounding wire (under the shrink sleeving)? Yes, I am the same 'karen' who answers tech calls over the phone. There is only one female field tech here at DTS.

If the drives' amber lights are winking when reading discs, that's good and the drives are working as they should. A solid amber light means it cannot read the disc = that's bad.

If the reader's LED is blinking a lot, that is probably your problem...
First, try connecting the ground wire to the timecode cable connector (on the reader). This wire will ground your projector's chassis. The only way to tell a projector is properly grounded is to use an ohm meter and check its chassis to earth ground. It should be zero ohms.
Next thing to try is to put a little tension in the film path as the film runs. Use your finger to add a little drag as the film enters the reader. If that clears up the timecode LED to read steadily, you need to add tension to the system. This can be done by adding a cleaning roller or readjusting the auxillary roller so that it has more contact with the film. If the LED does not clear up, use your finger to add drap as the film exits the reader. If this clears up the LED, it means the projector motor is off-speed or one of the gears is slipping.
The last thing to attempt (or could be first if you have a known good reader) is to swap out the reader to see if that fixes it.
The changes of a bad cable is remote. To rule that out, try swapping out the cable from a working house first.

Let me know how it goes. This type of problem is usually simple to fix, but it may take a little time and work on your part to determine the cause. Feel free to call, or email me at khultgren@dtsonline.com

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