This is topic digital reader cat no. 700 Problem in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Mark Wright (Member # 390) on 08-08-2000, 11:58 PM:
It seems that when the lens was realighned, on the unit i was working on, that it would steel have an F pop up every once in awhile. The F was not becasue of the splice bcause it would pop up at different times. if i was using the digital reader 701, and had realigned the lens with the same thing happening, I could up the voltage on the led to keep the F from poping up. What could I do to help the 700 from having the failure letter pop up. Thanks and have a good day!------------------
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-09-2000, 12:26 AM:
First thing, change the lamp.Second thing, you can try to up the voltage from the power supply. (Note sometimes turning DOWN the voltage will get a better reading if it is currently set too high.)
If that doesn't work, you will need a laptop and scope to re-align it. Dolby digital readers can NOT be aligned without at least a laptop and DRAS10 software.
Posted by Ken Jacquart (Member # 369) on 08-09-2000, 11:39 AM:
Brad is right. Try changing the reader bulb. They seem to last forever, but what happens is the reflector will get permanently fogged and will greatly reduce the video amplitude output of the reader. If playing with the voltage, you really should be using an oscilloscope to set the video amplitude to 4 volts. If you turn it up too high, you may actually saturate the amplitude... this usually happens if it is increased above 5.5 volts or so.Good Luck,
ken
Posted by John T. Mellor (Member # 468) on 08-12-2000, 12:11 PM:
The lens tube on the 700 reader can be bent slightly to achive a better reading Check that the lens is alignment If you don't have the dras 10 program for your computor and a scope better get someone that does its the only way I know how to align a dolby properly.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-12-2000, 01:42 PM:
It would be better to move the lamp bracket (it is slotted to allow that
Unless the light pipe got bent in transit it should not need to be adjusted
Often just replaceing the lamp and then aligning it takes care of the problem.
Also it is important to clean both the output of the lightpipe tube but also the input side with a cuetip and alcohol
Posted by Kevin Crawford (Member # 469) on 08-13-2000, 09:53 PM:
I seem to recall Lonnie saying that he did not like the software. While I prefer to use the computer, I have found that with a scope and the 671 cards, you can align it pretty well.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-15-2000, 12:13 PM:
I preferr the scope myself as it is more dynamic.
The Dras program relies on data transfer and is not in reel time
To me it is like using some of the newer digital lcd scopes you have adjusted something and see the results later
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-15-2000, 12:19 PM:
Ok you two guys, why not use the software and a scope like I do to get the best of both worlds.
Mark
Posted by Mark Wright (Member # 390) on 08-15-2000, 12:33 PM:
Thanks guys! The info you have been giving is very helpful.
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-15-2000, 12:41 PM:
There's no fight here. 
Gordon, how long is the delay on your DRAS10? Is response time affected by the laptop? Mine is roughly 1/4 second late, which I can easily live with, but I am using a fairly high end laptop too. Just wondering if that makes a difference in response time.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-15-2000, 12:55 PM:
>>Mine is roughly 1/4 second late>>
, I don't think the laptop affects it
but 1/4 second is still a lot of movement
Mark I use both but reley on the scope more
gord