This is topic Dream Catcher projector in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-16-1999, 07:26 PM:
Has anybody used the new Projector from CFS called the Dream catcher? if so, what are your impressions? I heard that if you walked up to it while it was running and touched the chassis the entire projector would turn itself off. The Dream Catcher is an electronically driven projector that runs film and has "modules" for each sprocket that can supposedly be swapped out quickly, thus making it the simplest projector design on the market (or so they say). What I am interested in is onscreen performance.
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-16-1999, 08:24 PM:
For what it's worth...A friend who went to ShoWest told me they couldn't get the thing to run for two days. But when it finally did run, it was supposedly fantastic.
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 06-17-1999, 01:55 AM:
I saw the Dreamcatcher at ShoWest, and was very impressed! Moreso than the electronic Kinoton and Ernemann machines! First off, the fact that all the moving parts are on easily replaceable modules is a real time saver for major repairs! also you can adjust loop sizes while the film is running, there is a 1/3 speed 'jog mode' for making sure your film path is threaded properly ( or to run the leader down), it has two stepper-motor shutters, from what I saw, it is a nice machine! Now to get it to cost as much as a Simplex or Century...Aaron
Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 03-07-2005, 01:54 PM:
It has been 2090 days since the last post.
Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 03-07-2005, 01:54 PM:
Well, what ever happened. Did these actually come to market? Is anyone using these commercially?
Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 03-07-2005, 02:37 PM:
The unit died with the bankruptcy by the new owners of Cinema Film Systems. Dick Nccum, the rights owner,has no desire to manufacture the unit since the maketplace has changed.
Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 03-07-2005, 06:10 PM:
Richard,
You are much too kind!
CFS sold about 10 of these hybrid devices (flycatchers) and in the end, all came back to the factory. Among their many problems was a sensitivity to static and we all know there is no problem with that in todays booths, what with miles of film hanging around, right?
OK, I've had my rant for the day.
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 03-08-2005, 12:51 AM:
A 10-plex in Chico, CA has (had?) all Dreamcatchers in it.
The owners of that theatre bought all of the Dreamcatcher parts and several unfinished projectors at CFS' liquidation auction.
A great idea, poorly executed. I still liked it (the prototype) when I saw it at ShoWest.
-Aaron
Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 03-08-2005, 09:02 AM:
I must of had #11 ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
. Dick Niccum noted that the Cinema Film Systems group, after he sold the company, did some changes to the unit which he did not like. The fiasco at a ShoWest screening did not help when they could not rack the framer far enough to get the image on the screen, so they had to go to a back up machine of another make. Limiting the framer was one of the decisions done to "steady" the picture since it had the same issues as a Christie when you rack too far in one direction. The unit we had went on several rentals with no problems.
Posted by John Westlund (Member # 913) on 03-08-2005, 04:41 PM:
Aaron, which theater in Chico has or had these? Im curious because im only about an hour away in Redding.
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 03-09-2005, 01:42 AM:
I don't remember the name of the place, All I remember was that the buyers of all the DC parts said that they had 10 of them running in Chico. This was also Dec. 1999, so its quite likely that the place has changed projectors by now.
-Aaron
Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 03-09-2005, 01:48 AM:
It was a good idea but the implementation got outta control. The very talented and smart Dick Niccum was the driving force for the idea and the prototypes. But Rentec's new owner and the new CEO got a hold of the new $$$ people and f*cked it all up. Too bad... it was a promising machine.
I also agree, the EE guy needed a little more schooling...oh and Ummmmm EXPERIENCE in real-world environments. (It was NOT me!) HA!
I think they made around 25-30 machines.
I have one sitting in my garage.
Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 03-09-2005, 02:27 AM:
Does anyone have any pictures or manuals relating to this machine? It sounds absolutely facinating.
Posted by Dan Lyons (Member # 1454) on 03-09-2005, 02:36 AM:
OK Phil, take some pics; or leave your garage open and i'll stop by and take a few photos when i'm in town.
Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 03-09-2005, 03:47 AM:
Danny... et too brute?
So, I just now went and took some pics of my chopped-up Dreamcatcher. I have all the parts including the turret, the sound readers, etc... but I wanted the machine for experimental purposes so I took it apart and here are some pics of some of the various parts:
The stripped machine:
A Sprocket Drive servo motor:
The Servo Drive Electronics (Only the top device):
Oh, BTW Danny: Stop by anyway and bring your camera again. I'm ***SURE*** we can take some more pics that should NOT be posted on FT... ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Mike: Here's a pic of the complete machine:
Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 03-09-2005, 04:34 AM:
Can someone explain THIS statement: ![[Smile]](smile.gif)