This is topic Digital footage counters in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002182
Posted by Jamie Hanslip (Member # 707) on 04-19-2001, 04:20 PM:
Does anyone know if there are any digital footage counters on the market, if so can i
have a link to there website.Thanks Jamie.
Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 04-19-2001, 05:02 PM:
I'm sure you can make anything. But a digital footage counter sounds like a waste of technology. Besides, it sounds like it would need batteries or plugging in.I know, a digital footage counter is the thing on the front of your VCR! 
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 04-19-2001, 05:26 PM:
CPI and Neumade both make film counters that are more than sufficient for the job.
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 04-19-2001, 05:40 PM:
The Christy's catalog includes a device that attaches to a standard Moviola sync block and outputs the footage counter to an LED. It might have a serial interface, too, but I'm not really sure. In any case, it's do-able, but I'm not sure why anyone would want such a thing.
Note that the newer-model Steenbeck editing tables and most modern dubbers incorporate electronic footage counters as well.
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-19-2001, 05:46 PM:
Actually its easy to make one from some off the shelf LCD counters that Digi-Key sells. I made frame and footage counters for my VistaVision camera out of them so it can be rolled back to an exact frame for creating in camera effects. All you need to do is count sprocket teeth or film perfs and divide it down properly for the correct count to take place. In my case I counted the pulses from the tachometer in the crystal motor drive since the motor is directly coupled to the camera movement if the motor turns the film moves regardless and the count takes place.
MArk @ GTS
Posted by Jamie Hanslip (Member # 707) on 04-19-2001, 05:48 PM:
Thanks for the replies. I am building a system, which can measure reels of film so that the lengths can be used to rewind the film from the platter when breaking down the film. The idea is to prevent damage to the film by marking the joins with the various methods used. The project, will also double up as a footage counter that can measure feet, meters and time. This is for my final year project at university. I am doing some market research and wondered if there were any such devices on the market.
Jamie
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 04-19-2001, 06:17 PM:
Hollywood film equip used to sell a digital footage counter for syncros
The other option is mount a shaftencoder on it and use the one MagnaTech makes
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 04-19-2001, 08:17 PM:
An interesting idea, but not one that is really needed. I don't know of ANY theater that still uses shoe polish and other such items that would damage film anymore. In fact, every operator that I personally know of uses only clear splicing tape and makes no other marks. Some theaters mark the edge of the reel at the "fill line" to make it easier on the newbies, but even that is unnecessary.Now if you could figure out a way to have a sensor automatically stop the MUT when it detects a splice followed immediately by a set of cue marks...THAT would be pretty cool. 