I agree with you on this, but my problem is if I set the brain for lets say the top platter, then use the same brain in the second platter, I will have to re adjust the "point" because the brain will not payout or it will payout to fast causing a brain wrap.

I have 10 pages of adjustments our staff have logged over the last two months. This log shows what platter number, brain number (I numbered the brains) which deck needed the adjustment, and what the platter was doing. Over/Under wrapping. Adjustments are only done if the operator notices a brain wrap in the making or feels that the film could be scratched if adjustment is not made. After about one week, I noticed the pattern above starting to develop. I told this to the Saleman to his face in our projection booth, and all I got, was to average the brain to all three platters. Adam can tell you, I was NOT a happy camper after this guy had left our theatre. So, I have taken the problem to the builder, and still am waiting.

You are on the right track. When I called Big Sky to ask a few questions before making the purchase, I talked with the first person to answer the phone and he was a practicing engineer. He also owns several screens which are equipped with Big Sky products. He has both a theoretical and working knowledge of the product. I am sure that you will receive a solution for your problem. The earlier platters were equipped with different parts where the brain stem is inserted into the deck. The biggest problem with the entire system is that the operator inserts the brain at an angle so that the 'grey scale' coding on the stem becomes marked or damaged. I can believe that if yours is marked that all readers do not all "see the same area" of the control strip and therefore can read the marks as black. The resulting symptoms would likely be

1 Speed control during payout is erratic (jumpy and too fast or slow)

2 Adjustments do not correct this problem on all decks

3 A vast difference in performance between decks using the same brain

First: Contact the service department at Big Sky and describe your problem as completely as possible (not all field sales people are engineers)

Second: Examine carefully your 'grey scales' and compare a working one to the erratic one (looking for scratches or dark scuff marks)

Third: (and also First) correct the way you insert the brain stem so you are not damaging the control strip in the insertion process. These brains are very reliable when proper care is taken to insert them properly.

KEN

quote:

---

"Remember that both motors will be slowed during make-up, but only the table motor will be slowed during break-down, as the platter motor is dis-engaged, and the deck is spinning free."

---

From what I saw at ShoWest it seemed to be a fairly good platter with only minor design flaws, but I didn't know about this. That pretty much kills it right there and the platter would get an automatic "F" rating in a review. They have designed proper backtension from the reel when making up a film, there is no excuse for not designing proper backtension during breakdown. Film handling NOT done right.

By the way, who are you guys talking to at Big Sky that are not solving your problems? I know they know about this forum. It would only make sense for their business to assist people in the field with their product as issues like this turn up. I certainly am getting a very bad impression about the company reading these complaints and one tech who represents the company blew his top a couple of weeks ago for no reason at a Dallas theater. (I could say more, but I won't. The guy is getting a bad enough reputation around town as it is.)

Anyway, surely there is some tech from the company that could be their internet spokesperson to assist people. Many company techs and corporate people get nothing short of furious if theater managers and projectionists call up a manufacturer to inquire about minor problems, so the need for online representation IS quite important to keep their equipment running properly through the spread of proper instruction. If projectionists and managers cannot get the kind of information they need to operate or maintain any piece of equipment properly, then that equipment WILL fail prematurely as it is misused because of the operators playing guessing games on how to adjust and run it.

 |  IP: Logged