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Author Topic: DTS timecode drop out/TCR LED switching Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 01-23-2006 09:49 PM                     Michael, Because you are only breaking the +5 line. Two conductors are all that are necessary to send the +5 line to a relay and have it return "switched." If you need a cable number..how about Belden 8442...2-conductor 22awg.  |  IP: Logged Michael Schaffer "Where is the Boardwalk Hotel?" Posts: 4143 From: Boston, MA Registered: Apr 2002 posted 01-24-2006 01:42 AM                        I meant why two conductors instead of just one, but that was actually a stupid question because it obviously makes more sense to have one single cable go to and return from the relay than to have a single one go there and another single one return. I didnt really think. But here is a (only slightly) more intelligent idea: instead of making a whole new cable, how about simply opening the old one and bring the two new ends together at a terminal strip where the cable going to the relay could also be landed? Easier, quicker, cheaper (well, the cable and the connectors aren't that expenisve, but, as I like to say, it all adds up).  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 01-24-2006 05:22 AM                     Michael, I didn't mean to imply that a new cable need be run between the reader and the DTS processor on existing installations...one can certainly make this sort of "splice" within the 9pin hood. Note, we generally run our own cable on new installations and make the Dsub ends anyway. We generally don't have exposed cable for any longer than necessary so most times there is just a short piece showing near the DTS reader. Thus, the potential to break out the 5V line is there upon putting on the 9pin end. Mind you, we can generally put on a Dsub connector faster than most can install "breakout" boards. BTW...the same goes for Dolby Digital cables...we generally pull in raw cable and put the ends on during the installation. Since many if not most of our installations are 2-projector...one machine is almost always further than the standard 10m cables...thus we got proficient at making Dsubs or Molex KK (the reader end of a Dolby Digial cable). We should probably sell off some of our pile of stock 10m cables someday. When possible we omit the cables on new readers. But what ever works for you. For us, switching off the DTS reader has not been an issue but I can see how it can be for some and with the replacement cost of the LED and/or down time...I can see the value of extending the time between needed service.  |  IP: Logged Dominic Espinosa Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1172 From: California, U.S.A. Registered: Jan 2004 posted 01-24-2006 12:36 PM                     Well, the reader seems to have settled and is running just fine in digital again. Very strange I think. When I get the tech down to fix our SDDS I might see if he'll put his scope on it and check it. I changed the topic of the thread for the purpose of including the discussion of switching the LED in case somebody's looking for it later. Thanks for the help, fellas.  |  IP: Logged Matt Close Expert Film Handler Posts: 226 From: Hervey Bay, QLD, Australia Registered: Sep 2001 posted 01-24-2006 11:32 PM                        This is Mark G or anyone else who works on DTS timecode readers.... I have a reader that has failed. For the first 20 minutes or so of running, it works fine.... but then it start to produces intermittantly noisy timecode. Turn it off for a half hour or so, and it is good for another 20 minute run.... I replaced the LED on the off chance that the noise was being introduced through having the gain wound pretty much flat out, and something wierd was going on in the amp stage.... but no, the problem is still there. I looked at the transistor, the tants, caps etc.... all seems ok. The only thing left then is the photo diode..... but of course DTS does not want to help me in that regard. Karen kindly told me the photo diodes do fail and cause faults like this, but from there on it's the "you can send it back for a repair exchange" answer..... I don't really want to fork out the crazy price they ask though, for what I am sure will be a fairly cheap repair. Have any of you guys struck this fault? ... And can you offer any advice? I have been unable to find reference to the diodes' part number on the internet.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-25-2006 08:09 AM                     No, I have not had that happen yet MAtt. You may just want to watch E-Bay for a used TCR. Thats the kind of problem that just replacing all the parts on the entore board justifies.... What would they cost... perhaps 20 dollars AUS. total? Then if its noisy you need to find yourself a good photodiode. Mark  |  IP: Logged Frank Dubrois Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 896 From: Cleveland, OH Registered: Mar 2005 posted 01-25-2006 06:37 PM                    As I read that post about the reader starting out good, then slowly deteriorating, it made me think about a dolby read we have. A Cat 701 reader starts with an error rating of about 4. to 5., but by about 30 mins into the film, its close to 7 or failure. What could be causing this? We have a new led, and the CP500 shows 32 green solid lights...where to look next?  |  IP: Logged

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