Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Favorite & Worst Automation

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Topic: Favorite & Worst Automation

Ken Layton
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1452
From: Olympia, Wash. USA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 10-27-2001 11:13 PM

Wes:

We have the Xetron Maxi-7 automations at the Franklin Plaza twin theater in Shelton, Wash. They run quite nicely and these particular ones were originally designed for two machine changeovers, but were converted for single machine use.

I have converted many old dual projector Co-operators for use with single projectors.

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Bernard Tonks
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 619
From: Cranleigh, Surrey, England
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 10-28-2001 09:53 AM

I got a great kick on building my own automation, my first attempt was a massive patch cord system which operated for two years until I made a Cinemation type unit. This had the approval of Bernard Bentley the inventor of Cinemation, who most kindly supplied the 30 x 48 matrix board. Runs the whole show tirelessly for 15 years now. Great Fun!

I understand that ABC Cinemas installed Gretton Ward automation, which I would like to see operating somewhere. As I would a Strongs CNA 200 that Pete speaks highly of. I just love automation providing it is always 99.9% reliable.

Anyone have nicknames for their units? ours is Basil. The Granada, Kingston was Percy, named after the chief engineer of the circuit.

Poor quality pictures due to age.

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Aaron Sisemore
Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day!

Posts: 3061
From: Rockwall TX USA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 10-28-2001 01:18 PM

Best autos i have ever worked with are the Component Engineering TA-10, and ...dare I say it... the <gasp> CFS full feature automations (when they are working properly, they are fantastic) The unfortunate downside to the CFS is of course they are no longer in business, so as the units die (which will happen with time, i am certain) they will be replaced with something else, hopefully TA-10s

Worst autos: Anything with cams and motors. Christie AM5, Xetron Maxi 10 and earlier, yada yada yada.

The HiTech HTD11 comes a very close second in the 'worst' category, and is the worst of the camless models I have had the [dis]pleasure of dealing with.

Other mentions:

Strong/Eprad CPA-10: Incredibly steep learning curve, cheap membrane panel buttons and an LCD display that you have to get down on your knees to read if the thing is installed in a console, but it works very well and reliably.

-Aaron

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-28-2001 04:14 PM

Aaron,
That is the same LCD display that is used in the Ultimation and it is meant to be wall mounted! Thats why they can't be seen. It even came out of the same factory. I'm not a big fan of the TA-10, but they are sometimes passable. I don't like the idea of the diode matrix cause if you need to make a change in a complex system it can be a pain. They also do not interface directly to an item that needs a constant hold and that makes for additional relays and a bigger kluge. None of the extras are necessary with the Strong or Eprad stuff as thats choosen in the software when you set it up. As for CFS I'm still not convinced they made anytihng that was good...if they did they'd still be around.
Mark @ GTS

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