posted 07-22-2009 04:59 PM                    

quote: Martin McCaffery

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The Breakfast Club. After getting rid of the gross problems caused by the flywheel, there was still high sibilance and distortion, just not as much. Sounded like an unfocused exciter lamp on both machines. Beverly Hills Cop started last night and it was crystal clear, with no adjustments made

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Hey Martin,

What model Time Machine are you using now?

posted 07-22-2009 10:58 PM                    

quote: Demetris Thoupis

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If a sound drum is not spinning correctly definately the Digital will not playback most probably at all. Martin clearly said that Digital is fine so most probably he was using a Penthouse reader.

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Sigh. It turns out it IS a Basement reader and it was playing digital OK, but most likely with higher error rates. Martin admitted he wasn't sure if the error rates were higher or not.

A key to good troubleshooting is to look at ALL possible cause/effect, even if it isn't at first glance directly related to the problem at hand.

If you want to become a better projectionist/technician, you really need to listen to what other people have to say and be willing to admit it when you're wrong.

In all my years I am STILL learning new things and when I'm wrong, I'm the first to admit it, whether here on the forum or to a client. I get a LOT of referrals and good customer feedback because I keep open-minded.

Example of unusual cause/effect: Customer had a CP-200 that would randomly switch to Format preset "D" (set for non/sync in that case) with no thumps or other drop-outs in the sound. After disconnecting the automation connection (rules out automation issue), pulling and re-seating ALL of the cards (rules out bad connection at the cards), pulling, inspecting and re-seating the power supply DC bundle (rules out bad Molex connections/loose pins) the problem persisted. What I eventually found, was that in the rat's nest of power cords (ALL the plug ends were cut off and tied in by a terminal strip) that the neutral on the CP-200 power supply cord's screw was loose. Tightened up the screw and no more problems. The loose connection would interrupt the power just long enough to fool the logic circuits into thinking the processor was powering up, but not long enough to make a thump in the sound. I found the bad connection when I kicked the rack in frustration.

I can look back and laugh at that service call now, though it wasn't so funny then. But it's unusual stuff like that that keeps me on my toes and keeps the job interesting.

posted 07-23-2009 12:34 AM                    

quote: Tony Bandiera Jr

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A key to good troubleshooting is to look at ALL possible cause/effect, even if it isn't at first glance directly related to the problem at hand.

If you want to become a better projectionist/technician, you really need to listen to what other people have to say and be willing to admit it when you're wrong.

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posted 07-23-2009 04:01 PM                    

quote: Martin McCaffery

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Optical cleaned up when we switched from Breakfast Club to Beverly Hills Cop.

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Eddie cleaned up Molly?