Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Hooking up DVD sound to CP500

This is topic Hooking up DVD sound to CP500 in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Kelsey Crozier (Member # 1489) on 10-27-2003, 10:23 PM:

Hi, what we had previously done was use the non sync 2 input. What head office now want's us to do is buy a Yamaha receiver and use it to decode the sound and use the 6 ch input (external digital processor).

My question is do we need to buy this new Yamaha receiver to decode or is there some way to setup the cp500 to do it?
Thanks,
Kelsey

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 10-27-2003, 11:16 PM:

I believe this is possible on a CP650, not on a CP500 so decoding externally and feeding into the 6 track input is the way to go. I'm assuming the receiver you plan to use has line level outputs for each signal not just power (speaker) outputs. You might also consider a DVD player with built-in decoding.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 10-27-2003, 11:23 PM:

You will need the 6 track external input card and a custom DB25 to RCA cable. I can set you up with both if you want to drop me an email. The card just slides in and the DB25 cable just plugs into the back of the unit. Super simple once you have the components.

Posted by Kris Brunton (Member # 432) on 10-27-2003, 11:46 PM:

As Brad said you need to make sure the CP500 has the external 6 channel card. I would assume your setup has DTS move kits so this is probably not a problem but check to make sure.

We built literally hundreds of these conversion boxes for Famous Players, and judging by your first comment with the Yamaha receivers you are looking to duplicate the exact set up. If you want, contact me and I can send you the details of the FP setup. We installed two leveling pots for the L+R input to the Yamaha unit. Also gave versatility for other set ups.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 10-28-2003, 04:11 AM:

Steve is right...

quote:
You might also consider a DVD player with built-in decoding.

Why go with a separate receiver/decoder and have an extra piece of equipment... another failure point. That is really a poor solution.

If you got a player with a built-in decoder, you would have the old player as a back-up in case the primary one failed and the show could still go on.

>>> Phil

Posted by Kelsey Crozier (Member # 1489) on 10-28-2003, 04:36 AM:

Last I knew Dolby has the card on back order, but the custom cable has been arranged and will arrive in the next day or two so I can plug it in and imagine how it sounds for now.
The DVD player we have is a Panasonic DVD-S35, it has progressive scan and 480P/480I switchable component video. Nothing too fancy $145Can.
Thanks for the quick replies. I have to say I have been lurking here for some time now and this is the most professional and polite forum on the net. Brad and the other moderators do an excellent job.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 10-28-2003, 04:49 AM:

Definitely get a player with a built-in decoder. It's probably cheaper than getting an external decoder for your existing player, anyway.

Having said that, how often are you going to be showing DVDs with 5.1 sound? If it's a regular thing, then it makes sense to set everything up this way. If it's a super-rare event, why not just stick with what you have and set up custom formats for non-sync 2 (you'll probably need at least three--mono only, straight left/right to left/right channels, and LCRS Dolby matrix without NR). I've done several video shows lately (Beta SP, Digi-beta, and HD), and all have had mono or 2-track (left/right) sound...no matrixed surround, even.

Posted by Stephen Brown (Member # 292) on 10-28-2003, 06:01 AM:

Kelsey,

Maybe you need one of these...

Dolby DMA8

---------------------------------------------------------------
Dolby’s new Digital Media Adapter™ is designed to work with existing cinema processors and sound systems so that all cinemas may provide audio decoding solutions to today'’s alternative, digital programming challenges.

A range of digital inputs allows the DMA™ 8 to accept audio from several sources, including servers, disks, tape playback systems, and satellite and cable links and feed it into an existing sound system.

The DMA8 also provides a straightforward audio interface into existing cinema processors, is compatible with theatre automation systems, and can support external cinema adapters, such as the Dolby® Digital Adapter (Model DA20), which provides rapid and trouble-free installation without affecting the ability to play back film.

Operation of the DMA8 is simple. Front-panel buttons allow a choice between Film mode and Digital Media playback mode. In Film mode, audio is played back from the traditional film source. In Digital Media mode, digital input signals from non-film sources (such as servers) are decoded and then routed into the cinema processor. Current supported audio formats are PCM (up to eight channels) and Dolby Digital, as found on DVD and DTV broadcasts (up to six channels). The DMA8 can be set up via a laptop computer and external software, allowing custom configuration of several audio settings based upon the source material.

The benefit with Dolby Digital is the use of metadata within the encoded bitstream. Metadata is information about the program material that is added at the time of content creation. The DMA8 can interpret the metadata and automatically configure the output between different audio input signals, thus reducing the need for external control and simplifying operation.

Built for use in today’s diverse entertainment complexes, Dolby’s Digital Media Adapter is an investment that will expand the capabilities of any cinema beyond traditional film applications.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Regards
Steve Brown

Posted by Kelsey Crozier (Member # 1489) on 10-28-2003, 06:21 AM:

Steven, you read my mind. That is exactly what I was hoping existed. Now that I think about it I even remember reading a pamphlet pimping it a while back. Now what is the cost vs. a yamaha receiver I wonder?

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 10-28-2003, 06:49 AM:

Also the creative labs little box is handy to take the output of a dvd and break out the dolby digital to feed the analogue input card of the cp500
http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=2&subcategory=&product=585

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 10-28-2003, 06:51 AM:

I was looking at the spec for this thing a few months ago, and also read the manual when Brad posted it. I've never seen a price on it, but I'm pretty sure you could buy a several (maybe a rack full of) domestic receivers for the price of one of these. Have Dolby ever produced anything that was cheap? Also, this thing does a lot more than just decode Consumer Dolby Digital; it handles Dolby E, for example, I have seen the prices for Dolby E only equipment, and they are expensive.

Darren, you have one of these in your rack for screen two, don't you? Do you know a price for it?

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 10-28-2003, 07:47 AM:

The DMA-8 has a list price of $6000.00 It is not nearly as heavily discounted as other Dolby Cinema gear since it is quasi-pro as well as Cinema.

It does indeed handle Dolby-E in addition to Consumer and Professional AC-3. It also had 8-channels worth of D/A conversion. It has several inputs, including a coax AES, RCA S/PDIF, Optical Toslink, and 8-channels of AES on a 25-pin Dsub. The unit will auto switch between the inputs based on a installer choosable priority system.

Steve

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 10-28-2003, 08:02 AM:

That's something like 4000 pounds, I thought it would be much more than that. Is Dolby gear generally much cheaper over there than it is here? I was guessing that this thing would be something like 5000 to 7000 pounds.

In many cases, from subway tickets to pizza if you rub out the dollar sign in a price, and write in a pound sign, you get the price that we have to pay. In other words we pay about 40% more than you do. This even applies to products made here, not that there are many of those now.

Of course, you can't make any meaningful comparison or prices, without also comparing earnings, and I don't have any figures there.

Posted by Jason Whyte (Member # 1433) on 10-28-2003, 10:41 AM:

Kelsey,

You have a private message from a local. [Smile]

Jason

Posted by Mike Miller (Member # 1129) on 10-28-2003, 12:27 PM:

Kelsey, is this for our Avalon, or the Galaxy. If its the Avalon, get Kelly to call Me, I have this exact setup in my theatre in Kelowna

Posted by Kelsey Crozier (Member # 1489) on 10-28-2003, 02:18 PM:

I work for the Galaxy...

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 10-28-2003, 02:48 PM:

My condolences. [Wink]

Out of curiosity what video projector is being used and is it in one of the old THX houses?

A DVD player with on-board decoding is definitely the way to go.

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 10-28-2003, 02:58 PM:

quote:
In many cases, from subway tickets to pizza if you rub out the dollar sign in a price, and write in a pound sign, you get the price that we have to pay.

That`s what you get for not converting to Euro.

We have several DMA8 to interface our digital projection systems. They are very versatile units. In our installations - dts-6D or DA20 for digital film sound and CP65 as analog processor - they are very practical. We have the digital film sound processors and the digital cinema rack connected to the DMA8. It accepts the analog outputs from the digital film units and decodes the digital data stream from the digital cinema rack, and it allows us to switch between both sources.
I gather you use the CP500 for Dolby Digital and have no external 6-channel processor (dts), since you don`t have the 6-channel input card. In that case, a DMA8 would be something of an overkill since you can decode the DVD sound in the player and you can switch formats right there on the CP500.

Posted by Mike Miller (Member # 1129) on 10-28-2003, 03:06 PM:

Did the Galaxy (former Caprice) actually have THX in Naniamo? I don't remerber that while I was on the Island, but I also never worked for those two groups.

Posted by Ron Lacheur (Member # 1126) on 10-29-2003, 12:40 AM:

I don't believe Caprice have any THX certified houses. The ones in the lower mainland sure weren't. I remember watching Ronin and hearing the scaffolding vibrate with the subwoofer.

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 10-29-2003, 11:03 AM:

I'm positive that the Rutherford Mall cinemas had THX certification in auditoriums 1 and 2. I can't remember if the certification has been renewed, I believe it has though.

Posted by Mike Miller (Member # 1129) on 10-29-2003, 02:56 PM:

All Caprice buildings were crap. Especially the ones on the Island (with the exception of Rutherford as it was a new construction). If ever in Courtenay (Mid-Island) goto the Caprice Twin, you woudn;t believe the condition some theatres operate in, at least as of the last time I was ever there (year ago).

Posted by Dave Ganoe (Member # 53) on 10-29-2003, 07:29 PM:

What would be the easiest and cheapest way to patch dolby digital output from a dvd player to the cp650?

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 10-29-2003, 08:21 PM:

If you have the surround EX option installed just connect the players digitalout to the digital input on the back of the cp650

Posted by Dave Ganoe (Member # 53) on 10-29-2003, 08:54 PM:

We have 4 cp650's that are setup for surround ex but there is no optical digital input on the back of the unit.

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 10-30-2003, 07:14 AM:

External digital data streams can be fed into the option card connector. Check the manual for details.

Posted by Matt Zeiner (Member # 1914) on 10-30-2003, 09:05 AM:

If optical is the only format you have, you can buy an inexpensive optical s/pdif to coax s/pdif converter that should work fine for AC-3. Plug it in to the S/pdif in on the back of the 650 and you are off. I have a screening room customer that can run digi beta and DVD AC-3 straight into the 650...

Posted by Antonio Marcheselli (Member # 373) on 10-30-2003, 09:45 AM:

If I connect a DVD player directly to the 650 will be the channel's levels correct for a cinema application?

Bye
A

Posted by Kelsey Crozier (Member # 1489) on 10-30-2003, 04:33 PM:

This Caprice built theatre is the exception to the rule. It was originally THX certified for 1 + 2 with the exception that the HVAC was to be upgraded. Caprice never did so when Galaxy tried to get recertified for Episode 2 we had to do the upgrade. IMHO this is a very nice booth. Christie AW3, Century projectors, 7 CP500's (2 THX have SA10 Ex-Adapters) and one CP65 (which will be a CP500 in the next few months) Strong Superhighlight II lamphouses, CNA-100 automation and QSC amps. I do enjoy working here, nothing major ever breaks down other than the ocational igniter and retiming the platters.

Check this out. My roommate found this, he's using it to upgrade an analog 6ch stereo so that it accepts an optical TOSLINK stream.

Klipsch Promedia DD-5.1 external preamplifier/decoder

Posted by Dave Ganoe (Member # 53) on 11-01-2003, 04:31 PM:

Matt Z. Where would one purchase the optical s/pdif to coax s/pdif cable? THanks

Posted by Peter Castle (Member # 1997) on 11-05-2003, 11:29 PM:

We have a CP500 and a Yamaha DSP-A1 for decoding DVD sound. As we also have DTS, we just put a data switcher in circuit with the DTS, so that we can run either the output of the DTS-6D or the Yamaha into the CP500. Works like a charm.