Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: So Long Smart Devices....?

This is topic So Long Smart Devices....? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-02-2008, 05:00 PM:

Got this from our salesman Vince that called Smart today about a module for a CSP-1200. Apparently they have ended all current electronic equipment production and it may explain why the last Mod 7 arrived in pieces in a box. All the "lines" are also up for sale. So if you want to build Mod 7's then you can buy the rights from Smart to do this. I personally bid them a sad farewell having worked with Smart gear for close to 30 years. They've been a great company to be associated with and a model for customer support in this industry. Thanks guys for the very long solid run!

It'd be nice if Norm stepped in and confirmed this and told the story as well.

Mark

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 07-02-2008, 05:05 PM:

Holy Smokes! Official Announcement

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-02-2008, 07:27 PM:

I should add that they will be continuing to support the products they built with repair facilities for many years to come. They plan on having at least two full time technicians and Gwenn will still be answering the phones.

Mark

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 07-02-2008, 08:22 PM:

They will also be selling those products that were NOT manufactured in their facility. As such, SMART as a company is not gone...but SMART as the cinema industry knew them seems to be fading away.

Steve

[ 07-02-2008, 09:45 PM: Message edited by: Steve Guttag ]

Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 07-02-2008, 08:26 PM:

Damn I was just up to their plant last week with my Mod 2C....no one said anything. Gwen called me the other day and asked me to pay via PayPal for the repair invoice which I did.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 07-02-2008, 11:51 PM:

I got dibs on the Mod 2C-DIT!

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 07-03-2008, 10:39 AM:

FYI: 1130am July 3, no answer on any Smart telephone line. (I'm just trying to buy some distribution amps!) Louis

Posted by Noel Mackisoc (Member # 4852) on 07-03-2008, 11:02 AM:

Have been friends with Norm Schneider for many years. He is one of the "gooder" guys in this industry. I'm sorry to see the company close; it's a sign, folks!
finis

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 07-03-2008, 11:45 AM:

Louis,
the staff is on 4th of July vacation. Talked to Gwen and Norm this morning.....

Posted by Jonathan Bodge (Member # 4072) on 07-03-2008, 08:14 PM:

Sad, the last lines of the announcement are true and chilling. Smart was a straightforward company that provided value to customers who didn't have megabucks but wanted to improve their old mono systems.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 07-04-2008, 03:06 AM:

I think the tide turned when they let Oscar get away...

Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 07-04-2008, 08:11 AM:

I think you're right Tim.

Posted by Robert Throop (Member # 61) on 07-04-2008, 09:02 AM:

What's the status of Panastereo?
Bob

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 07-04-2008, 10:11 AM:

Same as Smart Devices...they are not manufacturing anything anymore. They will service what they sold and that is about it. I believe both product lines are for sale if someone is interested in purchasing them from SMART (purchasing the right to manufacture...not individual products).

Steve

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 07-04-2008, 10:22 AM:

I will miss the greatest Smart product ever... the Afterburner. We installed an Afterburner on our Large Giant Screen and it made it sound much nicer. Then we had a thought.... if the Afterburner makes it sound this nice, then just imagine how it would be if it had two Afterburners installed! As of right now we have 5 Afterburners installed (daisy chained) on each of our screens. WOW!

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 07-04-2008, 07:48 PM:

Gosh, I have to wonder if the death of the DA20 killed Panastereo killed SMART. What's the going rate for used DA20s now, anyhow?

--jhawk

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 07-04-2008, 08:00 PM:

Smart where / are connected to many DTS players, in addition to DA20 units.....and their processors are in use in many digital cinemas.
DA20 usually don't sit on the shelf too long so they have been holding their value for the present.

[ 07-05-2008, 12:56 PM: Message edited by: Richard Fowler ]

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 07-04-2008, 10:12 PM:

I don't think that the DA20 think had that much affect on Panastereo except in niche markets.

I think the current scare about digital has many exhibitors holding back to see what happens. Furthermore, the dollar really has sunk to the Euro and most of the parts in a Panastereo are not sourced here.

I also think that SMART underpriced their Mod VIIa. They could have charged twice as much and STILL been the cheapest processor out there.

SMART (Panastereo) did not raise their prices in years...unlike most others. Had they had modest price increases (3-5%) annually, they would still have remained a very good value and SMART wouldn't have seen the profits slide away. However, I think they tried to reassess the pricing in one fell swoop and people didn't want to go for that big a change all at once (This I'm inferring from the message linked to earlier in this thread).

You also have to factor in that SMART has always been a very small company, by manufacturing standards. Norm is not a spring chicken either. I'll wager this has weighed hard on him. Most of our Senior people in this industry have already stepped aside in their respective companies. Even Ray Dolby has let go of his company (gone public). I don't think SMART was set up to pass the torch over to a new generation (Though I think attempts have been made...Oscar would probably know best).

Steve

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 07-05-2008, 11:43 AM:

Of that dreaded word, Senior.

I'm starting to resemble that word but still have some years left.

Jack Cashin is still at it and just had a birthday at Cine Expo.

We prefer eternal, venerable and other such euphemisms.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 07-05-2008, 05:42 PM:

[rofl]

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 07-05-2008, 07:43 PM:

Damn...so did I buy the last Panastereo CSP1200 and their Circle Surround adapter?

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 07-05-2008, 09:42 PM:

Nope and nor is yours the last to go on line.

I believe the circle surround adapter will be continued as it was not made in-house.

Steve

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 07-06-2008, 12:43 AM:

Panastereo will still be made but only by special order.

Panastereo Notice

I have dealt with Norm several times over the past year and he has always been a gentleman. I hope the economy gets better for his, and everybody's sake.

Posted by Demetris Thoupis (Member # 833) on 07-06-2008, 01:32 AM:

Sad to see them go [Frown]

Sold quite a few for second run screens and minimal issues. Surely not to Dolbys' quality in analogue sound but quite descent for small village cinemas with happy customers. Sorry to see them go.
Demetris

Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 07-06-2008, 05:53 AM:

That Panastereo notice has been up for some time before the notice went up on the Smart site.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 07-25-2008, 09:59 AM:

Smart MOD 7 processor has a new manufacturer based in Singapore.
Information should be on the Smart web-site soon.

Posted by Marin Zorica (Member # 1716) on 07-28-2008, 09:43 AM:

quote: Richard Fowler
Smart MOD 7 processor has a new manufacturer based in Singapore.
Information should be on the Smart web-site soon.

So MOD7 isn't discontinued?

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 07-28-2008, 10:32 AM:

I remember a press release that originally the mod 7 or mod 8 was to be made in Asia and there was quality control issues

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 07-28-2008, 11:23 AM:

So, where does all this leave Jack Smart? [Razz]

I always thought Norm should have used the moniker Max Smart instead.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 07-28-2008, 11:51 AM:

There was never a Mr. Smart....the name is from the Herbert Smart downtown airport in Macon, Georgia. This was one of the airports that Norm Schneider flew from as a private pilot. As the former Altec and JBL factory represenative in the 1960 - 1970's, he covered his territory by air. Our old office in the early 1970's was in Tampa, Florida at the end of the main runway.....so his visits did not require much drive time [Wink]

Regarding MOD7.....it is in the process of being moved to new licensee and due to the track record of the new company, QC is not going to be a problem. Existing MOD7 has a low return rate for repair due to the QC, Calibration routines and burn in cycling prior to shipment, which will be maintained.
MOD 8 was removed from the market due to the surface mount technology made it hard to repair in the export market....Norm spent money and time by reintroducing the MOD7 as the MOD7A..he thought it was the "right thing to do".

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 07-28-2008, 05:15 PM:

quote: Richard Fowler
There was never a Mr. Smart

Yes, I know. [Smile]

That's why I said he should've picked Max as his nom de plume.

Btw, I always thought SMART was an acronym for "Schneider <something> Audio Research and Technology"?

Posted by Mike Hagan (Member # 3771) on 07-30-2008, 05:56 PM:

Kneisley Manufacturing has agreed to purchase the SMART dimmer line. Contact Kneisley at 620-365-6628 for more information.

A Singapore company has purchased the MOD-7 line.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 07-31-2008, 06:02 AM:

Kendar / Cinetekk of Singapore will be handling future production of the MOD7A since all remaining assets and licenses have been transferred. Smart is making a short run for the new owner to satisfy pending orders while the new company ramps up. Russcine Services will be contacting dealers with updates and timelines during this period.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 08-21-2008, 06:27 PM:

So, how much is the "new" Mod-7 selling for?

And, what does a person have to do to get old processors repaired, now that they're not doing repair/exchanges?

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 08-21-2008, 11:10 PM:

Tim,

Have you called? SMART will do repairs though they won't do advance replacement

Steve

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 08-22-2008, 04:32 PM:

Yes, that's what I was wondering about. It means I'll have to pull a processor out to get it repaired, with nothing to go back in.

Guess I'll have to dig out the ol' Shure mic mixer...

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-22-2008, 04:47 PM:

Ha? Yous guys don't have loaner processors??? We do.. multiples of some models too. Just let me know what you need to borrow.

Mark

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 08-22-2008, 08:42 PM:

If people would return the cards they "advance replace" it wouldn't have come to this!

For now, we are in the same boat on Panastereo too. Fortunately, the Pana allows one to bypass individual cards except control ones.

Steve

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 08-25-2008, 12:42 AM:

No doubt, Steve.

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 08-27-2008, 12:49 AM:

Speaking of Kneisley....I see they finally made the move to Kansas. Sad to see another Ohio film equipment manufacturer move out of state. Since Strong was bought and now Kneisley, there are no more companies like that left in upper Ohio that I know of. Both of those started in Toledo.

I kind of don't understand the reasoning for moving Kneisley anyhow. A big part of the glass industry is in Toledo and that is the industry they are mainly in.

Not to mention I was in Kansas last year and there was a whole lot of nothing. Who the frick wants to live or work in Kansas anyhow? I drove through the state for two and a half hours straight and never got a cell phone signal and saw very few houses or businesses.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-27-2008, 08:10 AM:

Steve,

We have at least a half dozen used CSP-1200's... if you're interested in one for backup parts just let me know.

quote: Joshua Waaland
there are no more companies like that

Like what? They were barely existing in the last few years of operation... You still have EPRAD just south of Toledo.

Mark

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 08-27-2008, 10:54 AM:

Kneisley is most likely receiving a good tax break for moving to Kansas, also lower labor costs. Not a problem generally, so long as the people with the company's 'core' knowledge go there too.

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 08-27-2008, 08:42 PM:

Mark,

Do you have any remotes for the CSP-1200's? I am looking for two.

I know Kneisley was not doing so well, I just hate to see companies in the film business leave the state. You're right though Mark, we do still have Eprad south of Toledo. I used to live just south of there in Bowling Green when I was in college and never knew Eprad was there at the time or I probably would have applied for a job.

Actually John, I would imagine the labor in Toledo is dirt cheap too. Have you ever been there? It's not exactly as nice as Jamie Farr made it out to be on Mash. I used to work in Toledo when I was in college and it wasn't that great.

I bet the new owners were from Kansas and that is why they moved it.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-27-2008, 10:23 PM:

Josh,

I don't think so.... The location these were removed from didn't utilize remotes. The remote is VERY NICE though... we've installed a few of them.

BTW: The building that Kneisley operated out of in Toledo was the original Strong Factory Building! Old it was but it certainly served it's purpose.

Mark

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 08-27-2008, 10:27 PM:

I think I would indeed be interested in a used CSP1200 for parts..."we'll talk."

Steve

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 08-29-2008, 09:51 AM:

Kendar / Cinetekk of Singapore had taken over the rights and manufacture of:
MN586B six channel monitor / MN610 ten channel monitor / TCX624 bi-amp & TCX924 tri-amp crossovers.

[ 08-29-2008, 11:08 AM: Message edited by: Richard Fowler ]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-14-2008, 01:12 PM:

The supposed Smart repair facility also seems to have completely vaporized and the latest news I heard is that Carl at Quality Presentations may be setting up to repair both Smart and Panastereo gear. Anyone else heard this???

Mark

Posted by Marin Zorica (Member # 1716) on 11-14-2008, 05:57 PM:

quote: Richard Fowler
Kendar / Cinetekk of Singapore had taken over the rights and manufacture of:
MN586B six channel monitor / MN610 ten channel monitor / TCX624 bi-amp & TCX924 tri-amp crossovers.

I did saw their crossovers in some fresh installations, but probably some NOS stuff.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 11-15-2008, 09:59 AM:

We have for years been doing many of our own in house repairs for Smart as we have so much of it in our circuit and international shipping is a pain even for warranty items
The only cards we don't repair ourselves is the DSP matrix and the NR cards

Posted by Edward Jurich (Member # 1787) on 11-15-2008, 02:45 PM:

quote: Joshua Waaland
Not to mention I was in Kansas last year and there was a whole lot of nothing. Who the frick wants to live or work in Kansas anyhow? I drove through the state for two and a half hours straight and never got a cell phone signal and saw very few houses or businesses.

About the only area of Kansas worth living in is adjacent to Kansas City. Even then, taxes in Kansas are on the high side. And I would also apply that quote to northern Oklahoma where I experienced 2 hours of nothing, unless you like looking at oil rigs.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 11-15-2008, 02:49 PM:

You want to talk about a whole lot of nothin? Try the drive up the Central Valley of California on I-5. Flat, boring, nothing to see and rest stops are kinda far apart, and crappy radio stations to boot. [Smile]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-16-2008, 10:48 AM:

You guys are funny! If you look where that whole lotta nothing is you will be surprised what you find! I travel across the Utah Desert and Nevada alot and I can very definately tell you that in the nothing out there there is quite alot.

Mark

[ 11-16-2008, 12:14 PM: Message edited by: Mark Gulbrandsen ]

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-18-2008, 12:47 AM:

..even driving on US-93 from Vegas to Jackpot is pure hell to drive on .. being so 'BLAH' and destitute ... - hate to have car trouble on that highway...

At least driving from K.C. MO to Joplin via US-71 has more to see even though it's terribly flat. Least it's green, not all dry and pasty of desert driving.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 12-22-2008, 05:23 PM:

I see today that smarts web site is now a electronics reseller

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 12-23-2008, 09:47 AM:

I called them yesterday to check on my power supply being repaired and the person who answered told me they are changing their name and that is why the website is gone.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-23-2008, 10:44 AM:

They probably sold the web site name for 149.50...

Josh, when your supply fails a second time send it to me and I'll fix it correctly for you.

Mark

Posted by Jon Miller (Member # 163) on 12-23-2008, 09:12 PM:

quote: Gordon McLeod
I see today that smarts web site is now a electronics reseller

Looks to me like one of those suspicious placeholder sites with all kinds of malware lurking in there somewhere. [thumbsdown]

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 12-24-2008, 11:54 AM:

To paraphase Mark Twain....The report of Smart's death was an exaggeration [Wink]

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 12-27-2008, 02:19 AM:

www.smartdevicesinc.com