This is topic First run Mainstream in Providence? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Tom Ferreira (Member # 70) on 04-16-2000, 08:46 AM:
Word has filtered up to me in New Hampshire that a first run multiplex has finally opened up in downtown Providence! Anyone have any information on who's running it, what the bells and whistles are, etc. I plan on making this a stop this summer.
Posted by Trevor Bailey (Member # 75) on 04-16-2000, 05:11 PM:
It's a Hoyts Cinema. 16 Screens. It's located in the Providence Place Mall at exit 22 on I-95. I haven't been there since it has opened (it's not in my main coverage area) but if it is a typical Hoyts, it should be a full Christie package. Supposedly it is all digital sound...most likely a mix of CP-500Ds and CP-500SRs with DTS on the SR units.I'll likely be stopping in to visit the management staff and operator (since I know most of them) this week, so if you have further questions, post here and I will get the answers.
FYI, there is also an IMAX opening adjacent to the Hoyts but I believe it will be run by another company.
Posted by Ed Johnson (Member # 94) on 04-17-2000, 06:36 PM:
The Providence Hoyts has generated quite a buzz in southern New England for a while now. I think they designed it as their flagship theater. I worked for a year and a half at a Hoyts in Massachusetts and a couple of our managers are now working at this new theater. Incidentally, not all Hoyts use all Christie packages-- the 15-plex I worked at (which opened about three years ago) featured Xetron lamphouses and Ernemann 15 projectors (they do have AW-3's, though). They also have a fairly even spread between the three digital sound formats, so they may have done that again in Providence.
Posted by Trevor Bailey (Member # 75) on 04-17-2000, 08:30 PM:
Hoyts has been going with an all Christie package since Bellingham opened. Only Berlin and Westboro have the Ernemann/Xetron package...which is a good thing as the Ernemanns have been a MAJOR pain in the neck for the tech. He's been having recurring problems with the laser readers and an ongoing issue with the motor phasing...and no support from Neumade since most of those guys are at Big Sky now. Anyhow...Hoyts equiment supplier has been getting away from SDDS. AFAIK Bellingham was the last Hoyts to get SDDS.
More details later this week.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 04-17-2000, 09:12 PM:
We have sold a lot of ernaman machines and the only problem we have been having is te spring on the apperture changer breakig and one laser failure
He probably had the current set far to high or there is a RF problem
Posted by Trevor Bailey (Member # 75) on 04-17-2000, 09:46 PM:
Gordon,From what I remember, I think the issues involved intermittent sound variations. I know he also had at least a couple of the motor control PCBs fail. He called the guys at Big Sky for assistance but they couldn't take their notes and schematics when they left Neumade...so they did their best from memory.
I'll have to ask him again what the details of the problems were.
Posted by Ed Johnson (Member # 94) on 04-18-2000, 12:06 AM:
Trevor-Just from curiosity, what's your relationship with Hoyts?
Posted by Trevor Bailey (Member # 75) on 04-18-2000, 10:32 AM:
The company I work for performs booth service for Hoyts.I'm not plugging Hoyts, my company, or any other. I was just trying to provide an accurate response for Tom's question.
For disclosure purposes, I also worked for Hoyts for eight years, starting in 1989. That affected my current career in so far as I knew all of the techs that serviced Hoyts.
Full disclosure achieved!!!!
Posted by Paul Goulet (Member # 297) on 04-18-2000, 11:10 AM:
Hey Tom:
If you drive down to look at the HOYTS in Providence, Let me know. I havent been over there yet. Maybe we could go over there and check out some new things that we could hit Bill and Mike up for. 
Paul
Posted by Tom Ferreira (Member # 70) on 04-20-2000, 08:08 AM:
Actually, I don't get out much-I've never been to a theatre with stadium seating-that innovation hasn't spread to northern New Hampshire yet. Has anyone been to the Providence venue yet? What's the timeline for the IMAX? I guess working for BCG has me brainwashed-as much as I love looking at booth equipment, I also find concession stand layouts and ameneties quite interesting. That's where the money is.
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 04-20-2000, 11:55 AM:
Tom:
The money may be in concessions, but we shouldn't forget that people primarily come to a theatre to enjoy the movie, and that means maintaining optimum picture and sound quality. I enjoy the amenities and well run concessions, but I DEMAND good projection and sound.------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 04-20-2000, 02:57 PM:
Two thumbs up, John!I must say, as much as I hate "bitchy" customers, I would just L O O O O O O O V E to watch Mr. Pytlak take on a manager at a theater with a poor presentation. What a treat that would be.
Posted by Paul Goulet (Member # 297) on 04-20-2000, 10:55 PM:
...."as much as I love looking at booth equipment, I also find concession stand layouts and ameneties quite interesting. That's where the money is"... wow Tom, they do have you brainwashed What does BCG put in the popcorn up there in Claremont? ,, I can see the Memo next week already..ALL BCG MANAGERS AND ASSISTANT MANAGERS, PLEASE READ TOMS POST ON FILM-TECH..Just Kidding..
Anyways, the IMAX Theater in Providence is scheduled to open June, 2000.
The Web Site for it is http://www.imax.com/providence/
Does BCG have any stadium seating in any of their theaters at all? I wasn't sure if they do or not?Paul
Posted by Tyler Skinner (Member # 229) on 04-21-2000, 01:25 AM:
Regal has a few penciled in areas in RI it wants to build on. Will this be the first Simplex Millenium package to hit the state?Warwick ring any bells for anyone?
Posted by Tom Ferreira (Member # 70) on 04-21-2000, 07:33 AM:
Perhaps I worded that wrong-with the income generated by concessions, it seems as though many chains are outfitting their stands with new products and innovative lines. I understand that a good presentaion is top priority-but c'mon guys-if you were to shut down the concession stand, how long would any theatre stay open? Where did our paychecks come from last May-the money we took in from the box office for Star Wars, or the money we took in at the stand? I'm not trying to ruffle anyone's feathers here, and again, I care about presentation as much as anybody-I'm just looking at income generators.
Posted by Trevor Bailey (Member # 75) on 04-24-2000, 06:50 PM:
Gordon,I finally spoke at length with the tech that works on the Ernemanns. He told me that he has had one laser failure (not bad out of 27), and problems with the plane of the light pipes being untrue, as well as an inboard light pipe that was cracked. He said the main problem that he has found with the sound head is that most of them don't hold an a-chain very long.
He also said that he has found that the teflon on the gate rails starts chipping over time. Once this happens, the rest of the teflon has to be removed by sanding. Another issue is the separation of the velvet on the bands from its backing, requiring frequent band changes. There have also been ongoing problems with the pad arm springs falling out. As I mentioned previously, there is a problem with the motor hunting which makes it impossible to run interlock. Compared with other projector types, the turrents require frequent alignment and maintenance.
Do they run well? Absolutely. But all together, this is quite a bit more calibration and maintenance than an "average" projector. The causes could be debated, but fundamentally, this projector is not right for everyone.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 04-24-2000, 08:36 PM:
The gate bands need fresh velvet fairly fequently as do almost all the velvet gate out there
Havent had problems with the teflon or the light pipes. One motor and some turret problems mainly due to kids slaming it shut the same for the pad roller springs
I think it 50 some odd machines we sold in the first group and had little grief
Posted by Trevor Bailey (Member # 75) on 04-25-2000, 03:51 PM:
Gordon,I think we're on the same page here, re: the operator makes a difference.
Well, I found out today that one of my theaters will be getting an XCN/Ernemann demo unit in place of their SLC/SA. I guess I'll get some first hand experience.