This is topic DTS Popping in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Maddison Lake (Member # 2876) on 05-14-2005, 02:51 AM:
 
I have been getting popping when my 6AD switches disks or it has to "browse" the disk! Does anyone know what is going on with this? funny thing is, it only does it to certain dual disks

Thanks in advanced
 

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Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 05-14-2005, 03:35 AM:
 
I, for one, would like to read the replies. Especially now that I've invested a whole minute of my life to read the question and then type this,

So, for *my* sake, please post replies here.

Does the player itself make a (mechanical) popping sound or do you get a popping sound (signal) playing over your speakers?
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 05-14-2005, 04:56 AM:
 
...could be that the trays(s) are beginning to fail being a 6-AD unit for that one drive "clunking" the laser reader assembly as it scans back and forth to track data on the disc. Look at the back of the unit and you'll see the manufacture date, and if the date is over 6yrs old, I bet the drives are getting tired and needs to be replaced.

If you take either "A" or "B" disc and play it in "C" drive, does "C" drive make any of these clicks or clunking sound? If only one drive is making the noise, "condemn" that drive and make it unusuable and load either "A" or "B" into the "C" drive, for any disc will play in any drive-they're not assigned to that certain disc letter assignment that is imprinted on the disc.

It's always a good habit to "rotate" your drives around like this so that all the drives are used equally-and this is with any 3-tray unit with trailer discs.

-Monte
 

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Posted by Maddison Lake (Member # 2876) on 05-14-2005, 09:38 AM:
 
The popping is over the speakers. Right channel and Center mainly. The unit is ONLY 1 month old.

I just discovered that the unit is crackling and buzzing even when in non-sync.

Info about unit: The unit if fully wired except for the automation which includes digital ground (which is not wired), I cant imagine the automation would have this much to do with the activity of sound quality.

What about starting to swap some cards out also?

Thanks,
Maddison
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-14-2005, 10:33 AM:
 
First are you allowed to swap cards as I would recomend that you get the installer to come back the unit is 1 month old and under warranty and unless the dealer and the manufacturer okay anything you could void your warranty if you attempt any self fixes or mods
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-14-2005, 11:32 AM:
 
Your theatre owner should be shamed into the closet for even buying one. He got what he deserved! What a POC!

Mark
 

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Posted by Fred Georges (Member # 505) on 05-14-2005, 12:24 PM:
 
"Your theatre owner should be shamed into the closet for even buying one. He got what he deserved! What a POC!"
WOW! That REALLY helps this fellow with His problem!
 

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Posted by Maddison Lake (Member # 2876) on 05-14-2005, 01:15 PM:
 
Hi i'm a tech and yes i do have permission.

Here is what i found out

Turns out the unit is actually defective, The cards may be the problem but in actuallity the problem could be anywhere in the unit. I disconnected the power supply to reset the commands. Unfortunatly we are running on bypass right now. Star Wars is coming out on wednesday and need a replacement ASAP from DTS. hmmm, this is gonna be interesting.

Thanks for all the help!

any more comments or anything is greatly appreciated
 

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 05-14-2005, 01:47 PM:
 
What were you using before you installed the DTS unit? If it's something decent (older Dolby processor, etc.), why not re-install that until you get a replacement from DTS? That way, you would at least not have to run in bypass mode.
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-14-2005, 01:55 PM:
 
Is there a possibility that the jumpers for output balanced/unbalanced are incorrectly set The 6AD is rather fussy that the type of input that it is supposed to drive matchs the jumper settings
 

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Posted by Maddison Lake (Member # 2876) on 05-14-2005, 03:56 PM:
 
Hmmm, thats a great question! and BTW i was using a CP50 Dolby Processor WHAT AN UPGRADE, HAHA. the jumpers seem to be set correctly I mean, I cant imagine a jumper would all of a sudden cut audio like this. It has got to be something in the software I think im gonna push to an XD-10 Upgrade anyway.

Thanks,
Maddison
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-14-2005, 04:21 PM:
 
The opamps that drive the outputs on the 6ad don't like driveing a short which is what happens if the jumpers are incorrectly set and over time they will start to act real funky
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-14-2005, 06:32 PM:
 

quote:

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"Your theatre owner should be shamed into the closet for even buying one. He got what he deserved! What a POC!"
WOW! That REALLY helps this fellow with His problem!

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Fred, If ya don't like it go stuff it . Its one of the worst processors in existance and I will point that out at every opportunity I get.

Mark
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-14-2005, 08:40 PM:
 
I would've upgraded the CP50 and added a dts6-d or XD10 with some cat280s for real SR. The end result would've beat the dts6-ad hands down. So since you already have a CP50, try and get your money back on the 6-ad and trade it in for a 6-d or XD10 and upgrade the CP50.
 

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Posted by Fred Georges (Member # 505) on 05-14-2005, 09:37 PM:
 
"Fred, If ya don't like it go stuff it . Its one of the worst processors in existance and I will point that out at every opportunity I get."

Again, It doesn't Help with his problem. He didn't buy this thing, The Theatre owner did. He's stuck with trying to resolve His problem and it doesn't address His Question by telling Him how much of a POS it is.
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-14-2005, 11:08 PM:
 

quote: Fred Georges

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Again, It doesn't Help with his problem. He didn't buy this thing, The Theatre owner did. He's stuck with trying to resolve His problem and it doesn't address His Question by telling Him how much of a POS it is.

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quote: Brad Miller

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I would've upgraded the CP50 and added a dts6-d or XD10 with some cat280s for real SR. The end result would've beat the dts6-ad hands down. So since you already have a CP50, try and get your money back on the 6-ad and trade it in for a 6-d or XD10 and upgrade the CP50.

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I'm pulling a fully upgraded CP-50 on Tuesday to install a CP-500D in its place for Star Wars. This 50 has been plagued with all sorts of problems for the last couple of years. Today upgrading a 50 to SR and split surrounds is not as economically feasable as it may seem, unless you have access to a stash of used boards. In many cases the power supply will also need to be upgraded to handle the extra current draw and thats another added expense, some forget about the supply and then have an added problem!. Expect to spend at least 2500.00 plus labor to do it. The upgraded CP-50 is somewhat of a pig to properly set up but certainly not unreasonable. A used CP-65 would be the better option. Personally I would be selling the guy a new CSP-1200 and XD-10 at the special combo price, this is about the best bang for the buck there is today and you have a processor with superior performance to anything else available today.

The new USL digital processor has possibilities but for me thats a wait and see thing as I've had poor luck with digital stuff from USL in past years. Its also priced in a funny price range where for another grand you get ALOT better processor, or for a grand less you still get a really decent processor.

Mark
 

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Posted by Fred Georges (Member # 505) on 05-15-2005, 12:11 AM:
 
Mark, I've one theatre that uses a 6AD with no problems yet and the owner got what He paid for. I'm always interested in threads about problems with them. I would never comment or advise on something I'm not very familiar with so I wouldn't advise one way or another. So the consences is the 6AD is a piece of Crap. Beat it up all you want but, the Man came here for help with a problem & being told the 6AD is Crap, with no remedys offered to Help Him out is elitist & boorish (MY personal opinion). Now you've made a good, proper recommendation and now He Has some tangable advice to chew on.
 

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Posted by Maddison Lake (Member # 2876) on 05-15-2005, 01:36 AM:
 
WOW, Film-Tech is a great place to make new friends! JK

Thanks for all the advice! Ill take it and start the fixing ASAP! I will reply updates to what I have found out.

Thanks all!

-Maddison
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 05-15-2005, 02:55 AM:
 
6AD's had a big problem with that DSP board (the second board) for some odd reason. When I was at Edwards, we had 8 of those creatures, with 5 units having failed DSP boards (which were replaced), then two complete unit replacements (with no problems from DTS on this one with exchange...)

6AD's - true, do the upgrade to the 10X unit.

I'm more happier playing with 6D player units-easy to fix and upgrade.

-Monte
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-15-2005, 08:08 AM:
 
My biggest beef with the 6AD aside from all the problems is that even when it does work the analog section literally awful. Even the inexpensive little Smart Mod 8 is superior, and its only about $1200.00.

Mark
 

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Posted by Antonio Marcheselli (Member # 373) on 05-15-2005, 08:29 AM:
 
I had once on my PC that I can hear the motor and the head of the CD rom spinning and moving, in the output sound.

Turned out that the audio out of the cd player was disconnected and the cable was touching the chassis of the computer.

Check if you have some loosing cables inside the DTS.

But if the unit is 1 month old does not DTS replace it for free immediately?? I would ask DTS before spending time on that!

Let us know

Antonio
 

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Posted by David L Parlier (Member # 1944) on 05-15-2005, 10:42 AM:
 
Well hello Maddison!

quote: Maddison Lake

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Hi i'm a tech and yes i do have permission.

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Interesting...so you are a tech now!

Since you recently purchased the equipment I was just curious on why you decided to choose the DTS-6AD oder the XD-10? Although, I am my no means a tech I have worked with both and if you are going DTS the XD-10 seemed like the easy decision. Just for the simple fact that you load your disks on the harddrive. We have had our XD-10s for well over a year and besides one defective unit upon arrival (which DTS overnighted a new one) we have had no problems. Besides being a little cheaper is there any benefits to going with one of the older models? Just wondering because we are getting ready for another sound upgrade. Didn't you guys also purchase a SDDS system? Hows that working for you. Anyways I would agree with Antonio and Mark and if the unit is only a month old contact DTS and check on a replacement. On the one we had defective DTS did not want us trying to repair it ourselfs and we had a tech from Shaver Sound.

Dave
 

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Posted by Antonio Marcheselli (Member # 373) on 05-15-2005, 12:20 PM:
 
If the unit was old, I agree with Maddison to try by himself because have it repaired. But since DTS has been always available to replace the entire unit when defectice during warranty...

Bye
A
 

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Posted by Maddison Lake (Member # 2876) on 05-15-2005, 01:27 PM:
 
quote: David Parlier

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Interesting...so you are a tech now!

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I myself find it interesting that YOU find it interesting! I try and keep this theatre over here the best operation possible with what I have to work with. We have a couple of SDDS units that unfortunately work too poorly for me to put them in front of an audience. The DTS-6AD was purchased as a decent upgrade from the SDDS and the ease of use it is. The purchased unit was highly recommended from the tech I work under. He has had great experiences with this unit and hasn't had too many problems with them, he does recall several problems that a similar situation has happened to other theatres as what’s happening to us.

ANYWAY, I agree with Brad about the setup, I believe it would probably be a good idea given we need lots of drive on the SR for the large size of our theatre (500 seats) and the cat280 would probably give us the punch we need. I don't know how reliable the cat280's are, i have only dealt with a couple before and they were 70 MM houses.

The overall point for customer satisfaction is: If someone pays to see a film, they should be given good sight and sound EVERY TIME!

Now about the XD10's, I WILL look into them further and consider all options. I know you guys at Ruby have had good experiences with them. I heard of a theatre having some troubles with the computerized hard drive system that the unit carries, but I dont know if that was just a bunch of crap. But no matter how expensive the equipment you buy, if it was made, it can break! Although I really do like how the 6AD is an ALL in one! (this is the only thing that is turning me off about the cat280)

I was panicked that this happened only 4 days before the Star Wars release, eh, ya got to deal with what ya got.

If someone can give me some background info on the Cat280 it would be GREATLY appreciated.

-Maddison
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-15-2005, 01:31 PM:
 
The only real problem... and it is a real problem that lurks 24/7 is to never shut it off diring boot up. Doing so may corrupt the HD and it is not a recoverable corruption. One of Linux's disadvantages I assume......

We have had several XD-10 failures, all were immeduiately replaced by DTS.

P.S., I could make your Sonys work just fine!!

Mark
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-15-2005, 01:34 PM:
 
You can use an outboard SR adapter with reel SR cards
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-15-2005, 02:35 PM:
 
The 280s are completely reliable, as I've never even heard of one failing. They just slide into your CP50 in place of the cat222 cards. The only adjustment from that point is to up the gains 3db on your 117/517 cards and lower the gains 3db on your dts player.
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-15-2005, 02:51 PM:
 
If doing that upgrade the powersupply as the cp50 will have trouble keeping the rail voltages up especially if the 500 serries cards are added
 

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Posted by David L Parlier (Member # 1944) on 05-15-2005, 02:55 PM:
 
Maddison

quote: Maddison Lake

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I try and keep this theatre over here the best operation possible with what I have to work with.

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I am with you on that...you know my wonderful budget / equipment over here. Well if you need any help just give me a call. I would be more than happy to drive over and give you a hand. Would not want you guys to be without digital for Star Wars.

- Dave
 

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Posted by Maddison Lake (Member # 2876) on 05-15-2005, 02:56 PM:
 
How big of a power supply??

-Maddison

and BTW, thanks for the help option Dave, BTW have you guys sold out for Star Wars??
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-15-2005, 03:11 PM:
 
You also have to upgrade to the newer power supply for the 50, about another 450.00 thingy. The upgrading of a 50 if done right can equal a CP-65 in performance. You have to get these cards to properly effect the upgrade.....

Cat 517, Cat 280T X2, Cat 108C, CAT 113C Automation interface, CAT 441 Suurround/subwoofer card, CAT 114-? (what ever the latest one is) power supply. Also if you have a very old CAT 150 in there you may also wanna upgrade that while you're at it. BEtter performance can be realized in analog with the latest matrix. One of the best improvements in sound quality can be had by changing the 117 to the 517. But most just replace theor aging CP-50's with a new product as the cost to effect all this is really rediclous.

Mark
 

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Posted by Maddison Lake (Member # 2876) on 05-15-2005, 03:45 PM:
 
Sounds like a bundle to me! Ill talk it over with the other tech and see what his hit on the equip. is.

Thanks,
Maddison
 

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Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 05-16-2005, 04:43 PM:
 
The other option is the XD10P processor and the XD10 player which has a special sale price until June 30th....ask any DTS dealer.
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-16-2005, 09:59 PM:
 
I would stay as far away as I can from any DTS product that has an analog input that might actually be utilized. Providing good analog just does not seem to be in their design philosophy. One can think today that anal;og is just a backup if they want to but then there will be that next film that comes along like BFGW that runs for the better part of a year in analog. The XD10-P has some uses though but mainly for large format stuff.

The Panastereo CSP-1200 and XD-10 comobo are still going to be the best bang for the buck .

Mark
 

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Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 05-16-2005, 10:18 PM:
 
BFGW = ???
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 05-16-2005, 10:47 PM:
 
[My] Big Fat Greek Wedding
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-17-2005, 03:44 PM:
 
I believe the xd10p has the USL dsp processor built into it
 

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Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 05-17-2005, 05:22 PM:
 
XD10P is a seperate unit but mates well to the top of the XD10. There are some differences between the DTS and Ultra versions.
 

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