Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Remote Start/Stop Panels

This is topic Remote Start/Stop Panels in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Nathan Powers (Member # 3715) on 12-23-2006, 11:30 AM:

How many people still have remote start/stop capability in there auditoriums? How many people actually use them? What is the biggest issue people have with them if you don't use them (besides framing and focusing....if you can't get that right by now, then well [Eek!]

)

Thanks [Smile]

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 12-23-2006, 11:46 AM:

Preventing scratches on the first trailer by hand spinning the deck, namely first IMHO.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-23-2006, 02:10 PM:

I used to work at a Twin Cinema that had Cinemeccanica V-18's (the one pict in the "favorite 35mm projector" thread that I posted) that had remote panels in the houses.

Yes, I fully agree on the former comment of checking things as the machine starts, but once in a while, I'd use these remote panels if I was stuck downstairs with customer service and short-handed, or just to have fun with this system.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 12-23-2006, 02:47 PM:

If you define "remote start/stop panel" loosely, these are quite common in older theatres. It usually takes the form of a button on the rear wall that rings a doorbell or buzzer in the booth to signal the projectionist. This can be used to control show start, hold, sound level, focus, framing, etc., though there may be a slight latency of a few seconds or minutes depending on the operator's attentiveness.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-23-2006, 04:42 PM:

Steve, are you running older SPECOs by any chance?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-23-2006, 05:52 PM:

I only have a half dozen customers that insist they are saving money doing this.

mark

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 12-23-2006, 11:25 PM:

When I was working for a theater chain, I didn't allow the operators to use the remotes (or the timers either.) I wanted someone there to check the focus, framing, etc. at start.

That said, I wasn't so dogmatic as to not understand that sometimes those remotes (and timers) were damned handy. But, the remotes should be used only in emergencies - not for everyday use.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-24-2006, 12:31 AM:

quote: Scott Norwood
If you define "remote start/stop panel" loosely, these are quite common in older theatres. It usually takes the form of a button on the rear wall that rings a doorbell or buzzer in the booth to signal the projectionist.

We had that system here when I was a projectionist. I still remember the buzzer codes:

1 buzz: Turn it up
2 buzzes: Turn it down (this is the one I heard most often)
3 buzzes: Check focus
4 buzzes: Some other problem (house lights on, curtain not open all the way, carbon drift, etc.)
1 long buzz: Start the show, dammit!

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 12-24-2006, 06:00 AM:

I have the panalert remote which is just a cordless phone hooked into the panalogic via a control box , I use it all the time and would not be without it. When running the triple by myself or with just one staff member is makes life very easy. I can start cinemas while cleaning or ushering , but at the first available chance I alway make sure the film has started and is running as it should. I took it for granted one night and paid the price for it.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-24-2006, 11:01 AM:

quote: Nathan Powers
What is the biggest issue people have with them

I never liked them because of the possibility of someone's hands being in the machine when another person hit "start".

Scott, Mike... the old buzzer system was in use back in my old hometown location, too; the Leeds Theatre in Winchester, KY. Same code:

1 buzz: sound too low
2 buzzes: sound too high
3 buzzes: focus pix
4 buzzes: look at screen

Obviously, 3 and 4 were essentially the same, but that was the code. [Smile]

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 12-24-2006, 11:26 AM:

My TA10's can be operated manually from the projectors. However, they're "computer assisted", so we normally don't touch them.

The "remote" starts here are intended primarily for timing purposes only. One of us is almost always upstairs to watch the machine(s) start. I could probably count on one hand the number of times I allowed a machine to restart after intermission, because we were so busy. I couldn't be there.

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 12-24-2006, 12:07 PM:

Early model SPECO's currently, and I'm used to overspinning the payout & starting up w/ the takeup elevator roller at the start of the shaft's twist.

Even with the later model LP-270's, I've found they usually require a starting turn.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 12-24-2006, 08:55 PM:

Speco makes a mod to eliminate this problem....adds anolther moving roller on the tak up speed assembly.

It is an OSHA requirement that no equipment start without an alarm sounding first. That is why the automation we produce does not start immediately; the beep sounds 8 seconds first. Louis

Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 12-26-2006, 01:28 PM:

I had a remote start at a single that I ran. Previous operators installed it. I used it from time to time when we were slow, it was located right behind the snack bar that had a great view of the screen through the crack in the auditorium doors. More often than not though, paranoia would get the best of me and I'd end up going upstairs to make sure the platter was spinning.

The first location I worked at, (a twin turned to five) had a panel on the wall behind the video games. Never knew what it was until one night after closing I had a friend flip the switch while I walked around looking to see what the hell it did. Scared the crap out of me when one of the Vic-8's jumped to life. I had always thought a remote start behind the video games was a weird place, but later remembered that when it was a twin, the snack bar had been where the games now were.

Posted by Matt Whitney (Member # 2909) on 12-26-2006, 01:32 PM:

Basically the only thing we use our remote panel for is to stop a show that hasn't sold any tickets yet. This happens occasionally on the slower weekday afternoons.

Posted by Nathan Powers (Member # 3715) on 12-26-2006, 01:55 PM:

quote: Louis Bornwasser
It is an OSHA requirement that no equipment start without an alarm sounding first. That is why the automation we produce does not start immediately; the beep sounds 8 seconds first. Louis

Louis,
Does the OSHA requirement say that the automation has to sound the alarm itself, or can it be manually rung at the remote box by the operator before the operator starts the projector?

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 12-26-2006, 02:11 PM:

My understanding is that it has to be automatic, like the luggage conveyor at the airport.

On slow shows, I let it run with the rectifier off. If a paying customer arrives, it is a simple matter to ignite. If not, then there is less to run through tomorrow. Louis

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 12-27-2006, 04:46 AM:

quote: Jack Ondracek
My TA10's can be operated manually from the projectors. However, they're "computer assisted", so we normally don't touch them.

A little off topic, but could you provide more info on the computer assisted part? I didn't know you could do that with a TA10.

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 12-27-2006, 03:59 PM:

quote: Ken Lackner
could you provide more info on the computer assisted part?

Sure... it's pretty simple, actually.

The TA-10 has a terminal strip at the top right side, which you can connect dry contacts to (relays, push buttons, etc). My automation provides those closures, which times our show starts based on where I place the cues in the programming. The interface isn't as exotic as what some of the guys here use, but it's been very reliable.

I also operate my systems in the interlock mode, though they aren't actually connected to other projectors here. That allows me to dry-run the machines, "cue" them to a spot on the leader before I let the automation take over, then use the interlock cue for an actual "timed start" (those FM-35s are great!). As I run double features on a single platter, my leaders have a cue that's connected to the remote stop contacts (shuts down the projector between shows.