This is topic what manner of creature is this? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Gracia L. Babbidge (Member # 582) on 10-17-2000, 11:36 PM:
In a recent issue of Box Office magazine, one of my coworkers spotted an ad that made us both say 'huh?'Digital Platters. (made by Speco)
I figured that this would be the best place to try to find out more information... 
Has anyone here actually seen one of these in use? What makes them 'digital'? Are they a better platter system for being 'digital'?
~The Purple-Tressed Booth B*tch 
------------------
In some cultures, what I do is considered normal.
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 10-18-2000, 01:54 AM:
Ah, that lovely word "digital". It just makes everything better, doesn't it? I can't wait for "digital toilet paper". Instead of coming on a roll that must be physically and mechanically unraveled, it will come fan folded, ala "digital". Yup, bs enough and ANYTHING can have the word "digital" on it! Oh yeah, I don't personally know much about the new SPECOs, but I'll bet someone here does!
Posted by Dave Bird (Member # 490) on 10-18-2000, 07:31 AM:
That and "titanium", everything is "titanium" now. If you have something in a "digital titanium", well sir, you're on top of the heap!
Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 10-18-2000, 12:54 PM:
Probably uses a microprocessor to control it's functions, speed, etc.
Posted by Dave Cutler (Member # 515) on 10-18-2000, 01:09 PM:
John is most likely correct. The newer Strong platters are digitally controlled. The payout speed, and the rewind speed are controlled with microprocessors. I would imaging that the SPECO's you saw advertised have a similar system.
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 10-18-2000, 02:00 PM:
As I read the original post, I had visions of a giant platter being used to deliver 2" quad videotape to an ancient 1960s VTR, which was being used to drive a DLP machine. I think that this is what would pass for the mad scientist's version of "digital cinema" and it would indeed look very impressive.
I need to get more sleep.
Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 10-18-2000, 06:55 PM:
I had a lot of fun with an audio salesman over the term; "digital speakers" once. The guy thought they "were" digital. I didn't even try to explain dynamic range to him.
Posted by Frank Prete (Member # 627) on 10-19-2000, 03:35 AM:
Try asking salepeople about the Flux Capacitance of a speaker!(sorry to steal your gag David)
Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 10-19-2000, 06:46 AM:
I'm sure the "digital" platter is the LP-280...aka the electronic platter.It's method of speed control (for both payout and takeup) is a 7-bit gray-code sensor. As such, there never needs to be any speed adjustment. a "7" (or 111 binary) is full on and 0 (000 binary) is off. The other 5 positions are somewhere in between and plenty to have a reasonably smooth operation. The older LP-270 only had 3 positions on the payout and continiously variable on the take up.
I guess they term it digital since they are using 3-bit binary code to set the speeds.
Steve
Posted by Stefan Scholz (Member # 147) on 10-19-2000, 09:19 AM:
Remembering the Ferrari Digital Grill. It was a portable electric BBQ device - truly digital. The switch had 2 positions 1 (On) 0 (OFF)- which made it digital. Nice Italien idea.
Posted by Colin Wiseley (Member # 247) on 10-19-2000, 10:46 AM:
We've have an LP-280 in operation for almost a year now and haven't had a single problem with it or a center bind. The best thing I like about the digital features are that you can use it to check email. ------------------
Colin Wiseley
Lyric Theatre
Blacksburg, VA
www.thelyric.com
Posted by Per Hauberg (Member # 529) on 10-19-2000, 04:34 PM:
Doesn't Digital Titanium projection gear come with a THX certificate...?
I mean, just to get ALL kinds of hot air into the same package