Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: DTS Not Kicking In

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Posted by Kyle Abel (Member # 819) on 07-16-2001, 11:19 PM:

Hello all,

I have an older DTS-6 with the upgrade pack and a new reader (3 years old about) with an Ultra-Stereo processor that is throwing me for a loop.

When the feature starts, the DTS unit reads the timecode just fine, and the processor switches to Digital for about 1-2 seconds, then defaults to Stereo. Any time after that we can manually switch the processor to Digital and the rest of the feature plays perfectly. This happens with all prints, and just as the feature starts. I've tried the business card trick--blocking out the LED and defaulting it to Stereo, removing it and kicking into Digital, but I can't figure this one out.

Please help!

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Kyle Abel
General Manager
Plano Movies 10

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-16-2001, 11:27 PM:

It sounds like your automation is pulsing the Ultra processor back into "stereo" mode just after the dts kicks the Ultra into "digital". You are using CFS/Rentec automation, so here is what you need to do.

On the back of the Ultra processor you will see a few wires going into the automation terminal strip. Take the wire that is connected to the "stereo" control input and remove it from the Ultra. Now move the wire that is connected to the "mono" control input and move it to the "stereo" control input. Now, when your douser opens the Ultra will be pulsed into "stereo" and then whenever your dts unit kicks in the automation will not pulse it out of digital.

If by some chance you have two wires connected to the "stereo" connector and nothing into the "mono" connector, then you must figure out which of the two wires needs to be removed for proper operation.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 07-17-2001, 12:39 AM:

Another way around the USL/DTS automation pulse problem is if you use a cue to change sound formats (for example, between a trailer pack and the feature) is to add all the trailers that have their soundtracks on the DTS feature discs LAST, and place the cue BEFORE the first DTS tracked trailer begins. Works well.

The other DTS/SRD and USL compatibility problem is when the show gets cued out at the rating band and the DTS time code continues, causing the processor to be pulsed from Non-Sync to Stereo when the timecode finally fails. The easy fix for this (CFS autos used for this example, other systems may be similar) just add another 'Inboard' cue to the tail leader about 2 feet or so from the physical end of the tail, this will repulse the processor back into Non-Sync without affecting the other functions.

Aaron

Posted by Paul Konen (Member # 41) on 07-17-2001, 08:39 AM:

What I have done is place about 5 seconds of black before the policy trailer with the automation cue on there somewhere. 4-5 seconds is necessary for the DTS unit to kick out of Digital mode, the automation cue will bring your lights down and so the format switch, then when the policy comes through, voila, DTS digital kicks in and your all set.

Paul
Cinemark Legacy

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 07-17-2001, 02:33 PM:

We had a similar problem with Maxil 12XPC automation and DTS 6D units not switching over to DTS.
Apparently (according to our company technician) the "B" Drive on one unit was faulty, and the automation unit wasn't processing the cues for a digital switchover.
I know that he replaced the bad drive, and I believe that he re-wired the cue sensor to the automation unit.
This isn't the first instance that I've seen bad drives on a 6D unit either.
It all works now, anyway.

Posted by Karen Hultgren (Member # 395) on 07-17-2001, 07:51 PM:

Hello Kyle,

If using the business card trick works and your CP switches correctly, then your automation is pulsing the CP out of DTS and into a different format. No sound cues should be added to the print within timecode - it will over-ride the DTS pulse. Also, verify that your automation has not been programmed to go to stereo at feature start - if it is, advamce the cue timing so that it will not engage before timcode is seen.

Karen at DTS
khultgren@dtsonline.com

Posted by Karen Hultgren (Member # 395) on 07-17-2001, 07:54 PM:

oops, I meant to type, the automation pulse to stereo should occur BEFORE timecode is seen! (sorry about that!)

Karen

Posted by Kyle Abel (Member # 819) on 07-18-2001, 12:20 AM:

Thanks everyone for the quick replies.

Brad, I looked at the back of the processor and found the 2 wires going to the stereo input, so after 2 runs I got the correct wire and everything ran great.

Thanks Yoda.

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Kyle Abel
General Manager
Plano Movies 10