Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: sound up or down on platter?

This is topic sound up or down on platter? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Kara J. McVay (Member # 1285) on 06-21-2002, 10:17 AM:

I searched for an old thread but couldn't find one, sorry if there is an old one out there.

I have been away from a booth for 11 years and I am in the process of buying a 3-screen 1916 movie house.

When I left in 1991 we always made sure our sound was facing up when it was on a platter. The folks that are there now put it sound down. The only excuse they give me is when poly-film came out they were told to put it on sound down. (by whom I have not idea) I have watched them build a print up this way and it seems to me this would be a great way to scratch the hell out of a print.

Am I just out of the loop or is this wrong?

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 06-21-2002, 10:33 AM:

Sounds like they got it backwards. Take a look in the Tips section and you'll see the recommendation for track-up orientation (emulsion out) for polyester prints.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 06-21-2002, 10:47 AM:

In most cases with today's polyester prints, emulsion-out (track up) on a platter seems to work better. But the optimum orientation depends upon the curl of the film, which is dependent upon the drying conditions of the print, and the relative humidity in the projection room. So if you are having problems with one orientation (e.g., more "static cling"), try the other. Optimum humidity range is 50 to 60 percent RH.

Confusion may exist because of SMPTE Recommended Practice RP39 which recommends maintaining an "emulsion-in" orientation for optimum focus stability. But SMPTE RP39 is based on triacetate film, wound on small hub cores and reels.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 06-21-2002, 03:10 PM:

I agree with John. Sound Track Up!

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-21-2002, 03:53 PM:

Bottom line follow the company policy

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-21-2002, 04:14 PM:

But Gord, he IS the company policy!

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 06-21-2002, 05:23 PM:

Sometimes running the film track down for ONE showing will help reduce static. Don't ask me why.

Sometimes you have to run the film track down for ONE showing to FilmGuard the other edge...if you're still using PTR's like I am you cannot apply FilmGuard to the whole print area.

All other times I run with the track up.

Long ago, I used to think that this was to prevent damaging the soundtrack if the rollers happen to be misaligned (dragging on platter with track-down would damage both picture and sound).

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-21-2002, 06:54 PM:

Static? What the hell is that? Oh yeah it's something people who don't use Filmguard experience with their prints.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 06-21-2002, 10:16 PM:

Manny said: "Sometimes running the film track down for ONE showing will help reduce static. Don't ask me why."

The natural "curl" of the film acts as a stiffener, helping keep the film from "pulling in" an extra lap if there is "static cling". But curl varies with the drying conditions of the print, and the relative humidity in the projection room. So use the orientation that seems to give the least pull-in under your conditions.

Posted by Kara J. McVay (Member # 1285) on 06-22-2002, 07:00 AM:

Thanks all, as soon as I get the keys it will be sound up from then on. And of course Film Guard will be used.