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Author Topic: Setting Light Output on Barco Series 2 projectors Dave Macaulay Film God Posts: 2321 From: Toronto, Canada Registered: Apr 2001 posted 12-05-2012 10:50 PM                     Sounds like you have a good plan going. I don't say it's impossible for someone to take excellent care of these things. However, I've had to work on some that had been "maintained" by owners with no idea what was required, they finally called us in only when the system shut down or looked so bad it couldn't be ignored any longer. There's no real magic in the training but it imposes a minimum standard on installers and techs - we should do things properly because we were shown how to. The only thing that's a real problem for an owner or operator who is talented and takes the time to read manuals etc. to do is color calibration - the least expensive color meter is damned expensive and nobody I've asked rents them. The color calibration procedure is relatively simple but - as far as I know - is not in any manual. I've come across techs who use a procedure that makes sense (in a way) but is wrong, I see strange color on screen but using their method it is exactly 314/351 on the color meter at some point in the proceedings. There are also other ways, different from how I learned, to do it that work perfectly. My opinion on lamp life is that adequate cooling is key. I take the specified exhaust flow as a minimum and, without being ridiculous, more is better. Some lamps did start to dislike striking at about 70% of warranty life about 2 years ago but I haven't seen many since then. I don't like Barco's staing routine, I think a few more tries over a couple of seconds would be better than five zaps in half a second then giving up if it hasn't struck. They're pretty definite that they won't be changing it though.  |  IP: Logged Paul Maxon Film Handler Posts: 17 From: Minden, NE/ Unites States Registered: Apr 2011 posted 12-06-2012 01:50 AM                     Im might make another cue to put on the playlists that adds another lamp strike command. I usually run 20 seconds of black before the show, and during that time the lamp powers on and the dowser opens, and all the other automation commands go to work. 9/10 times they manually strike on the first press of the button if the initial strike fails, maybe this will cut down on the "its broken" phone calls I get. I think we have proper cooling for these machines, atleast the smaller ones, the exhaust duct connected directly to the projector doesn't get very warm at all. On the other had the two screens with the larger lamps get pretty toasty. But after I cut that one screen down to a 3000W bulb its about the same as the smaller theaters. Its odd considering that the other screen with a 4k bulb, that has more hours on it than the other, is still striking perfectly. Im awaiting the light meter. I've read all the manuals for my projectors and servers so I have a pretty good idea of whats going on, and the barco software being so stupid easy also helps. I appreciate all the advice Thanks  |  IP: Logged Ken Lackner Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1907 From: Atlanta, GA, USA Registered: Sep 2001 posted 12-06-2012 08:01 AM                     quote: Dave Macaulay The color calibration procedure is relatively simple but - as far as I know - is not in any manual. Color calibration for Barco is described beginning on page 144 of the Communicator Touch Panel manual. Even if you don't have touch panels on your projectors, you could get the manual online, and the procedure should be pretty much the same using the Communicator software on your laptop.  |  IP: Logged Antti Nayha Master Film Handler Posts: 268 From: Helsinki, Finland Registered: Oct 2008 posted 12-06-2012 03:11 PM                     Just a sidenote: There is actually a separate manual for the PC version of the Communicator software, and it has the color calibration instructions too (starting on page 138). But for some reason, the PC version of the manual is missing the short bit on selecting the target TCGD file. Looks like a simple oversight to me. Otherwise the CC instructions seemed identical to me at a glance. Pete: I would also be interested in the ”suspect” lamps…  |  IP: Logged Dave Macaulay Film God Posts: 2321 From: Toronto, Canada Registered: Apr 2001 posted 12-06-2012 05:40 PM                     deleted  |  IP: Logged Paul Maxon Film Handler Posts: 17 From: Minden, NE/ Unites States Registered: Apr 2011 posted 01-30-2013 03:40 PM                     Ok Im back with some updates. I got the light output set correctly, so the projectors are adjusting themselves as the lamp ages. Every projector but one has a new lamp. But I still have striking problems on a few projectors, it doesn't happen often, maybe 1 in 10-15 shows. Both the cathode and anode wires are tightened to the proper specification, and the lamphouse is seated fully. I think I may have a power supply issue. The main offender, strikes the bulb 3-5 times and gives up. But once it decides to work, the lamp lights and has no flickering. So I think the power supply is failing to turn on some of the time. I know these projectors are suppose to be somewhat "modular", is the power supply something that can be removed and reseated for a better connection, or is it hard wired like the old rectifiers in the 35mm stuff? These projectors had a nice trip from overseas, so maybe something cam loose on their extensive journey. Thanks Paul  |  IP: Logged Richard May Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1057 From: Floral Park, NY USA Registered: Aug 2004 posted 01-30-2013 04:49 PM                     Maybe I missed something. Isn't the light standard still 16FL for digital??  |  IP: Logged Antti Nayha Master Film Handler Posts: 268 From: Helsinki, Finland Registered: Oct 2008 posted 01-30-2013 04:51 PM                     14±3 foot-lamberts in the centre of the screen. See DCI 8.3.4.7. Remember that the 35 mm standard is 16 fL without film in the gate – that becomes about 14 fL when projected through clear film base (which equals the peak white of an actual 35 mm print).  |  IP: Logged Richard May Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1057 From: Floral Park, NY USA Registered: Aug 2004 posted 01-30-2013 05:31 PM                     Thanks Antti. I don't know where I heard my info from.  |  IP: Logged

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