This is topic This Sounds Silly But... in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 05-14-2000, 12:45 AM:
Can you tell me what kind of projectors these are? I know they're Century's, but what model?Pictures here:
http://www.oakwood-theatres.com/backstage.htm
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 05-14-2000, 03:04 AM:
its hard to tell what madel just by looking as there are several models of Century projectors that appear virtually identical from the outside. My best guess is they are SA or MSA, however they can be any other of the myriad alphabet-soup model names that Century has slapped on a A casing in recent years...Aaron
Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 05-14-2000, 03:40 AM:
...and check out the $10,000 'Dolby Cinema Surround Processor'. I think they should find another supplier. 
Posted by Curtis Barnes (Member # 471) on 05-14-2000, 04:53 AM:
I think that was a typo in adding one too many zeros. Those can be had for $1000 easy. Someone is trying to make their setup appear more advanced than it really is.I would guess that is a Century SA with a TR4 soundhead but it is too crappy of a picture to tell for sure.
Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 05-14-2000, 11:26 AM:
Well first of all the pictures are horribly out of date. Our sound systems's in those auditorium are all SMART processors with DTS 6D units now.The projectors were installed in 1987 if that gives you a clue.
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-14-2000, 07:06 PM:
Dustin....you were better off with the CP-50's! You definately need a new equipment supplier.
Mark
Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 05-14-2000, 07:37 PM:
They look like SA , but the picture is too small.
Posted by Oscar Neundorfer (Member # 458) on 05-14-2000, 08:25 PM:
Dustin,The question is not whether you were better off with the CP-50 as Mark suggests, but whether you are having good results with the SMART processors.
Please feel free to post here, in the public eye for all to see, any questions, complaints, or problems you have with SMART equipment, and I will do my best to make sure that it gets taken care of.
The CP-50 was a fine piece of equipment, but it was not and is not the only good thing out there.
------------------
Oscar Neundorfer
Chief Engineer
SMART Devices, Inc.
oscar@smartdev.com
Posted by Jon Bartow (Member # 241) on 05-14-2000, 08:29 PM:
Dustin, Look on the front of the projector. there is a little metal plate with Red and Black lettering that will tell you the model. (There is another plate on the front of the sound head for the soundhead model)
Posted by Russ Kress (Member # 461) on 05-14-2000, 09:53 PM:
Wow! Working with all those "gears and pulleys" must be tremendously challenging!Since the word "mall" implies "fairly recent" I would vote that they are SAs but I can't tell from the pics.
Russ
Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 05-14-2000, 10:53 PM:
*groan*
Yes, the website is bad, thats why I haven't provided a link to it until now. It is on my to do list, but a ways down. Hopefully by the end of the summer I'll get around to it.As far as the SMART's go, I have no real complaints. Most of our sound problems in these auditorium stem from varying sound levels between stereo and digital, this having mainly to do with us still using exciter lamps. We'll make the changeover to LED's with everyone else, but not until we absolutely have to I'm sure.
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-15-2000, 07:13 AM:
Oscar,
When I say better off with the CP-50's I am always thinking in terms of the NR end of things. As far as SR goes nothing beats the real thing. At least in the 50 you can use cat 280's. IT IS also a big advantage to be able to advertise that you are showing in Dolby Stereo......like Dolby or not. Dustin, The difference in sound level is likely due to two things. 1. Because your tech did not properly set up your systems. 2. Due to the exciter lamps getting dim. Your optical level will decrease but thats an easy adjustment that you can do with a loop of Dolby Tone. Just be sure to clean the optics first with a Q-Tip and lens cleaner. Only clean off the solar cell in a verticle motion and be very gentle as it can crack easily. If that does not fix it then the problem is #1.
Mark
Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 05-15-2000, 12:01 PM:
1) We've had MTS out here several times to adjust the sound levels, but they keep 'going out' after a few days.
2) I don't have any Dolby Tone loop, or any test film for that matter.
Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 05-15-2000, 12:26 PM:
>>I know they're Century's, but what model?<<Looks like an SA to me.
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Better Projection Pays!
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-15-2000, 04:48 PM:
Dustin, You DEFINATELY need a new service tech!!
Mark
Posted by Oscar Neundorfer (Member # 458) on 05-15-2000, 07:18 PM:
Dustin wrote:
1) We've had MTS out here several times to adjust the sound levels, but they keep 'going out' after a few days.
2) I don't have any Dolby Tone loop, or any test film for that matter.Dustin,
Sound levels should not be going out after a few days. Please describe exactly what is happening to the levels. Are optical stereo levels the only ones going out or is digital affected also? Does the sound level drop, rise or random up and down? Is this happening on more than one screen? How many screens? Do you have regulated exciter lamp supplies? What model are the exciter lamp supplies?
So many things can affect this problem, so it is important to check all things.
I will send you some Dolby tone loop and instructions. E-mail me at oscar@smartdev.com with address for shipping.
------------------
Oscar Neundorfer
Chief Engineer
SMART Devices, Inc.
oscar@smartdev.com
Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 05-15-2000, 09:22 PM:
Oscar,
Its happening mainly on one screen and only effects the stereo sound (very quiet). I'll check on the exciter lamp types.It is kind of you to offer the Dolby Tone loop, but if you're going to charge for it I have to turn it down, since the District office won't approve anything and I don't have enough money to go out of pocket. If you're offering it for free-thank you!
Posted by Oscar Neundorfer (Member # 458) on 05-16-2000, 06:09 AM:
Dustin,Call me at 1-800-457-6278
------------------
Oscar Neundorfer
Chief Engineer
SMART Devices, Inc.
oscar@smartdev.com