Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: DTS dropping out

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Posted by Ian Bailey (Member # 1752) on 06-20-2006, 03:12 AM:

I have a DTS 6 that intermittently drops the sound out(usually for about 10-15 secs).
What I noticed the last time it happened was the small green light on the bottom CDrom was on solid(usually flickers when the drive is reading) and only 2 lights on the front of the DTS unit were on(The System light and the light second from the top-CDrom light I think!).The green light on the Time-code reader was also on.I've also checked and adjusted the 4volts inside the reader.
I've got a feeling it is happening at the changeover from disc 1 to disc 2-I'm not 100% sure as yet.
Cheers
Ian

Posted by Keith Peticolas (Member # 971) on 06-20-2006, 03:24 AM:

We have had the same problem every now and then. Sometime switching discs from tray to tray a to b, b to a. Has stopped problem. Also try cleaning discs with a cd cleaner. Has cured problem as well.

Posted by Ian Bailey (Member # 1752) on 06-20-2006, 05:58 AM:

Hi Keith
I've tried reversing the drives the discs go in(disc A into drive B etc) and cleaning the discs and cleaning the heads of the CDROM's.The unit will work fine for a couple of days and then we will loose sound during a show and then the unit will work fine for the next show with the same print.
Cheers
Ian

Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 06-20-2006, 10:06 AM:

You said the system light is on. Is it steady or blinking? Also, the second light from the top is the timecode light. Check to make sure when you can, which lights are actually on when this happens. Sounds like more of a processor issue than a timecode or reader issue right now

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 06-20-2006, 11:42 AM:

Is this happening with other prints played in this house? Which model drives do you have, Ian? Is the system fan on the back of the 6 running, too?

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-20-2006, 01:05 PM:

There are actual times where I had to adjust the lateral scanner drum set screw slightly to quit the irratic blinking - on certain prints.

Also, could be that the LED array for the reader is getting tired...what is the manufacturer date on that reader anywho - which there is a small tag by the input cable....

-Monte

Posted by Ron Curran (Member # 3631) on 06-20-2006, 06:00 PM:

The problem was fixed for us with a replacement time code reader. They aren't expensive.

Posted by Frank Dubrois (Member # 3042) on 06-20-2006, 09:06 PM:

The replacement readers are about $250 arent they? I'd say thats pricey for nothing more than a fading LED. I'm assuming the voltage was already checked?

Posted by Ron Curran (Member # 3631) on 06-20-2006, 09:23 PM:

DTS replaces them on exchange. Can't remember the price, it was a couple of years ago. It was lots cheaper than the analog red light array, particularly considering the analog reader burns away without being used for weeks

Posted by Frank Dubrois (Member # 3042) on 06-20-2006, 10:05 PM:

They replace them on exchange, but that means #1 your without a reader until the replacement shows up because you have to send the core WITH the cash, #2 Your still paying like $250 with exchange. I'd exhaust all other options before just replacing the reader.

Posted by Ian Bailey (Member # 1752) on 06-21-2006, 12:50 AM:

Richard-the system light and the Time-code light(second from the top) were both on solid(system light was not blinking)

Scott-it has happened to various prints-one print we had was a problem every show but now it seems intermittent with various prints.I have the Black drives and the fan is running.

Monte-I've never seen the green reader led blinking-it is always solid on.

I've adjusted the 4volts for the reader and checked all connections to the DTS unit.

This unit was serviced just before Christmas when I bought the business and has been a problem since then.Which was at the time when the servicing of DTS equipment was taken over by another person down here.
Ian

Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 06-22-2006, 06:56 AM:

The problem is definitely not in the reader. The system light not blinking says that the problem is in the deck. Is the fan in the back running? Take the top cover off and make sure all the boards and chips are set in properly. Also, does it happen in both drives? If so, its sounds like an overheating or board problem.

Posted by Ian Bailey (Member # 1752) on 06-22-2006, 10:36 AM:

Richard-yes the fan is working.
Thanks for the tips,I'll have alook inside and check everything is seated correctly.I'm pretty sure it has failed in both drives,I'm not at this site very much.
Ian

Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 06-22-2006, 12:15 PM:

If thats the case Ian, you have pretty much narrowed it down to being a power supply or board issue inside of the unit. Thats about as far as I can help you on this. My next step is usually to call DTS. Then again, I live in the US so the call aint that expensive.LOL. Good luck [Smile]

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 06-23-2006, 07:13 PM:

Ian

How long since the drives were replaced? You may have a couple that are duds hence moving the discs ain't helping.

If you need to call DTS, then install SKYPE on your computer...then the call is just as cheap (cheaper sometimes) as Richard's call.

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 06-24-2006, 11:29 AM:

When I worked at my previous house, I noticed a few issues which I don't know will help here.

1-I had to adjust the lateral on the timecode reader, because it would cut out in mid movie, always do this with a proper test film, or in a pinch, the movie itself, and never on the trailers since their production can be at times, substandard, not to mention worn and dirty if previously used.

2-I had to clean the lens on some of the readers, had cataracts worse than my dog. That helped on some.

3-Some films, especially ones from Deluxe labs, seem to have a poorly aligned timecode printed on the film itself. Unless you want to constantly adjust the alignment on your reader to match, you should just request a new print, or run in analog. (We have had a few films that suffered your exact symptoms because of this. Well, minus the light status. The movie would play fine, several times, then one time cut out half way through the prints. We'd check the system and the timecode reader wasn't seeing a time code. Next show, magically there was a timecode. This seemed to change with the alignment of the planets or something.)

However if you're getting a solid timecode throughout, then you may require help from DTS themselves. We had a unit that would repedidly lock up, that we had to send off. I think there is some sort of break they cut you if you subscribe to.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-24-2006, 11:47 AM:

This is definately a problem inside the processor. Could be bad drives or could still be the power supply being at fault. A running fan is meaningless except you know the power suppy is not overheating from lack of coooling. The supply has at least three DC rails and one of the rails could be down. A quick sub of the supply will verify that. If its a board then you will need another board... or spare boards which are hard to get for the DTS 6 i order to doagnose it. If you need new drives you will find it difficultt to get the TEAC CDR drives any longer and you will need to get the latest DTS drive upgrade kit(again). The latest upgrade kit utilizes IDE type DVD drives with a small IDE to SCSI converter board stuck on the back of each drive. In the future when a drive fails then you can go to your local Wal-Mart and get any cheapo DVD drive for 20 bucks and just move the converter card over to the new drive. The days of expensive TEAC CDR drives are over.

Mark

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 06-24-2006, 12:19 PM:

That's great, finally. SCSI is good, but too expensive. IDE is the standard. Finally DTS got a clue.