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Topic: Processor Questions

Josh Jones
Redhat

Posts: 1207
From: Plano, TX
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 10-13-2002 08:23 PM

A link for the gents....
http://www.panalogic.com/products/CSP1200.html

Josh

------------------
"Film is made of silver, video is made of rust"
'nuf said

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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)

Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 10-13-2002 08:25 PM

John, The Sony 1000 and the 2000's were discontinued when they came out with the Sony combination unit the SONY 3000, several years ago. Sony at that time said that they would support the older units for seven years. The people that were running the SDDS Division and made these promises are no longer around. I know that Al Barton(SDDS General Manager) reads these posts and maybe he will chime in with a response.

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-13-2002 09:09 PM

Sonically the PanaStereo is the finest sounding analogue processor out there
It has the lowest noise and distortion of anything around and very flexable to format as well

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Michael Schaffer
"Where is the
Boardwalk Hotel?"

Posts: 4143
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 10-13-2002 09:36 PM

How much would the Panastereo processor be approximately? Also, if wandering from the original subject is allowed, does anyone have feedback on the magnetic processor? The same theater I was writing about earlier has started looking for an alternative to the MPU1, as they are not too happy with it.
Michael

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Sean McKinnon
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1712
From: Peabody Massachusetts
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 10-13-2002 10:57 PM

Ok...

I have worked in about 5 different theatres so far in my career, I have operated projectors at one time or another in probably close to ten I have encountered CP500's and DCP1000's in very similar rooms and hands down I always prefered the CP500. To me the DCP sounds too hollow I just do not like the way it sounds. I also hate the way the interface is designed... Yes it is just my personal opinion

Also the card for the anolog sound tends to die I had 2 die in a matter of weeks at one theatre. (I cant recall off the top of my head what card it is but I know its usually the same one every time.) Never had A dolby proccesor die on me. I expect 100% from any piece of equipment that I use. I believe that if you properly maintain and operate a piece of equipment it is very reasonable to expect it not to fail. How mnay CP55's are still in operation and working well? Will the same be said for the Sony DCP's in 10 years?

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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 10-14-2002 01:20 AM

DO NOT waste your time or money on those Sony processors.

Sony Cinema Products as we know it is GONE. All of the techs are no longer working for them (this was told to me over the phone by a Sony representative, to scotch any 'rumors'). The only remaining tech that knows anything about the cinema products seems to be flying about the country and not taking calls. All tech support for cinema products is handled by Sony National Service, and when I gave them the model number 'DFP-D2000' they replied, 'is that the MiniDV camera?' Once they figured out what I was talking about, the placed me on hold for what seemed like an eternity, then the next guy I spoke to answered and told me the story of the jet-setting technician, and I began dropping names of other Sony techs and he replies that none of them work for Sony anymore.

sorry for being 'sour' but I am reaching the end of the proverbial rope with Sony.

-Aaron

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Sean McKinnon
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1712
From: Peabody Massachusetts
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 10-14-2002 01:35 AM

Aaron,

Just make sure that you have that six pack from your photo with you whenever you have to tech a piece of sony equipment... You will need it!!!

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-14-2002 08:48 AM

The Panastereo mag unit is very good check out the comments in the reviews section. It mates well with a CP500 as well

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Michael Schaffer
"Where is the
Boardwalk Hotel?"

Posts: 4143
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 10-14-2002 03:34 PM

Thanks for pointing me to that review. It looks very interesting and I will tell my friend about it. This theater actually runs 70mm regularly, so they really care about the quality. They are the only theater that I know which has the anamorhic lens for Ultra Panavision 70 - even if they are using it only every few years.
Michael

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Steve Kraus
Film God

Posts: 4094
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Registered: May 2000

posted 10-14-2002 05:36 PM

Once every few years is probably more than just about anyone else in the world. What exists in runnable condition in UP70?

BTW, I have pictures of the UP 70 optics on my web page: http://steve.filmteknik.com/unfilm.html

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Jason Burroughs
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 654
From: Allen, TX
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-14-2002 10:49 PM

When I used a DCP-1000 I never really had any issues with them. "SR" sounded pretty good for optical, and the processor had room to grow. However this was a few years go and since it has been discontinued parts will become difficult to find.

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Michael Schaffer
"Where is the
Boardwalk Hotel?"

Posts: 4143
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 10-15-2002 03:50 AM

There are a few collectors here in Germany so most movies have survived in playable condition. Now and then we get together to watch a print when somebody organises it. Fortunately, we can use this large theater in the mornings for such occasions.
To get back to the original topic, it might be interesting to know that this theater is one of the main screening locations for the Berlin Film Festival. The Festival usually insisits on original equipment. If a movie is in Dolby SR for instance, they want it to be played back on original Dolby equipment. But they were convinced by the sound quality of the DCP-1000 to make an exception there.
Michael

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Scott Norwood
Film God

Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-15-2002 05:22 AM

I'd be concerned about the kind of support that Sony will provide for older cinema processors. Even if the DCP-1000 is the best-sounding processor ever built (which it probably isn't), I'd be concerned about parts availability and technical support going forward.

I've worked with most of the Dolby processors (CP-45/50/55/65/200/500) and can say nothing but good things about the support that Dolby provides for their older products. You can call them up and they will answer questions about a CP-50, for example. How many other manufacturers will provide that kind of assistance with their obsolete products?

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Les Brock
Film Handler

Posts: 42
From: Basingstoke, Hamshire, UK
Registered: Nov 2001

posted 10-16-2002 04:55 PM

It is correct that Sony supply service and support for 7 years after equipment has been discontinued.

This applies to the DCP 1000 and DFP D2000 and the Camera System DFR C2000.

The DFP D2500, DFP D3000 and Camera system DFR C3000 are still in production.

Here in Europe Sony Cinema Products is still around as is the repair centre located at Sony Business Europe near London. We have parts for DCP 1000 etc.......

In the US there are 3 technicians working for SDDS. 2 based in Los Angeles and 1 in the Eastern US.

Al Barton is also still based in Los Angeles.

As for techs jetting around the country and not taking calls, I have just spent a week with the guys in LA, we didnt leave CA all week. There is always someone in the LA office.

------------------
Les Brock
Principal Engineer
SDDS Systems.
Priestley Road Basingstoke,Hants
United Kingdom, RG24 9JP

Phone +44 1256 484924

Les.Brock@sonybpe.com

Website www.sdds.com

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John T. Hendrickson, Jr
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 889
From: Freehold, NJ, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 10-17-2002 07:37 PM

Thanks to everyone for your input and advice. I'm inclined to shy away from these units, since I now know that they are much older than the seller claims. I'm also concerned with the discontinuation issue. Time is running out on that 7 year support.

Given the price the seller wants for them, I feel the money can best be spent elsewhere on new equipment.

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