Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Star Wars goes to Non-Sync

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Posted by Randy Haberthur (Member # 1345) on 05-19-2005, 04:02 PM:

I've had two different theatres call me with the same problem. Half way through the 6th reel the DTS6AD decides to go to non-sync. Anyone else experienced this?

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 05-20-2005, 03:41 AM:

I've been experiencing sporatic dropouts to analog on a perfectly aligned DTS unit.

I'm thinking there's some issues with these prints.
Incidentally the prints in question are #8180 and #8181.

The DTS system is determining that the timecode in R6 in your case is the end-of-show code and thus terminates to non-sync.

If the firmware's up to date and everything jibes I'd say swap the reel.

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 05-21-2005, 02:10 AM:

I don't think that DTS has an "end-of-show" code. End of show should drop to analog just like during the show, unless your automation tells it to do something different...

So what happens if you block the led on the DTS reader with a piece of paper mid-reel? Does it correctly fault to analog, or do you go to non-sync?

Sounds like an automation cable/wiring configuration problems...

--jhawk

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 05-21-2005, 02:19 AM:

quote: John Hawkinson
I don't think that DTS has an "end-of-show" code.

It does. At the end of the program, DTS pulses to non-sync.

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 05-21-2005, 02:30 AM:

Whoops, right-you-are, Michael.

quote:

The NON-SYNC (NS) pulse (from the DTS-6D) will be sent when DTS timecode is lost during the last 60 seconds of the last reel.

I plead the late hour and our automation that handles this case
differently (I assume the 6AD has the same logic as the 6D here).

--jhawk

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 05-21-2005, 03:33 AM:

Although I don't know if there is any form of end-of-show code actually in the timecode. Probably not. The problem here might be that timecode is briefly lost in a place where the DTS-6AD thinks it is at the end of the last reel, and so it "figures" it has to end the show. None of our 6D units seem to have that problem - at least I haven't been notified of any such occurence, and that is something that no one is likely to "miss" in a sold out house...

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-21-2005, 06:50 PM:

Non-sync is actually a better place to be. The dialog in that movie sucks!

Mark

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 05-21-2005, 09:12 PM:

I think you have a point there, Mark. The brainless, flat dialog and also the constant background doodling of recycled Star Wars music - John Williams did not really come up with any exciting new material for the trilogy - might make it hard to notice when the system switches to non-sync, especially when the soundtrack album is running on the MDS [Big Grin]

Posted by Maddison Lake (Member # 2876) on 05-22-2005, 02:21 PM:

I have been having troubles with the automation on my 6AD! I have seen (not a big deal just reprogrammed it)when a splice goes through (which looses DTS time code), It switched to non-sync AND DIDN'T COME BACK OUT! so basically my damn automation screwed it over. Among a variety of other problems I have just replaced my 6AD with another one, the last unit was not letting anything come out whatsoever.

-ML

Posted by Frank Dubrois (Member # 3042) on 05-22-2005, 09:51 PM:

For some reason, Fantastic Four trailer (att) doesnt play in DTS, but when the movies kick in, DTS is fine. No biggie here.

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 05-23-2005, 12:38 AM:

The FF4 trailer was a splice-on. But it apears that it has faulty timecode as well. It's like that on all 3 of our prints.
I wonder if the DTS discs even have the FF4 soundtrack on them [Wink]

I get some poor timecode detection during Mr. & Mrs. Smith trailer as well, but that one does play in digital without dropping out.
Go figure.

Posted by Bill Carter (Member # 156) on 05-23-2005, 09:47 AM:

The problem with the Fantastic Four trailer is especially annoying because the printed face of the feature disc says it is on there, but it doesn't play.

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I believe the 6AD has an adjustable setting for how long it will "free run" before switching out of digital when timecode signal is lost. If your timecode interruptions are shorter than a couple of seconds, this might be enough to fix it.

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 05-23-2005, 02:21 PM:

I'm not sure if the timecode dropout delay is configurable however it's 4 seconds by default isn't it?

Posted by Mike B. Smith (Member # 2829) on 05-24-2005, 03:20 PM:

The trailer has timecode but the DTS will not play, reason for this is the Star Wars III discs have Fantastic Four version "H". A last minute remix was done and a new trailer version "I" was created and attached to the print. Many may not have noticed this because version "I" is on the DTS trailer subscription disc and therefore played with the feature. As to DTS systems freewheel, they do not have an operator "configurable" fallback time, all DTS systems should switch to optical after approximately four seconds from start of receiving no timecode input.