Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: SMART MOD 6 for home use?

This is topic SMART MOD 6 for home use? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Emory Smith (Member # 7399) on 05-15-2013, 08:37 AM:

I was given a SMART MOD 6 that appears to function.
What I'm wondering is what kind of input level is requires.
For use with home stereo equipment, will I need to build a simple opamp +10 dB circuit to get into it or will the typical -10 levels work. Thanks!

Posted by Alban Birch (Member # 4121) on 05-15-2013, 12:06 PM:

What exactly do you wanna do?

Posted by Emory Smith (Member # 7399) on 05-20-2013, 07:10 AM:

I want to use the Mod 6 as a home theater system.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 05-20-2013, 08:40 AM:

Home stereo equipment operates at near line level. This is much more than the solar cell inputs of any stereo processor. If you go into the 6 channel inputs, you will have line amps, level control, and room eq.

If you need to decode the matrix, you will have to go into the cell inputs. You will not only have too much level, but you will have to somehow disable the noise reduction. Level is easy by using pads (resistors) but the nr is harder. Louis

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 05-20-2013, 11:08 AM:

The short answer to the Emory's question is this:

Either dumpster that Mod 6 or use it as a paperweight or boat anchor. It will do a much better job at either. [Big Grin]

The BEST inexpensive processor to use for a home theatre environment is, hands down, an Ultra*Stereo JS-Series unit. Used ones can be found real cheap.

You have excellent EQ available, remote fader and EASY automation (with the later format cards) and best of all, the very handy "Pre-out/NR In" terminals on the backplane. Need the matrix? Feed your left and right line level outputs from your home gear into those NR in terminals and you're good to go. [thumbsup]

Most Dolby CP-65's and 500's and ALL of the CP650's can also decode matrix from the non-sync inputs. Used Dolby processors (even the 650's) are also getting cheap.

And of course the CP-650 CAN read coaxial SP/DIF signals directly from home equipment with the right software version and hardware Odyssey makes a cool output board set with RCA jacks already installed, saves having to make up a custom cable to the DB25 connector as well...

650-25-EX-R3

Posted by Alban Birch (Member # 4121) on 05-20-2013, 11:43 AM:

What equipment do you have besides the Smaart?

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-20-2013, 12:32 PM:

the output of the mod 6 is line level and capable of driving most consumer amps so for a home it is ok and will do the job
the eq is a bit limited as the filters are fairly wide but overall they work

Posted by Emory Smith (Member # 7399) on 05-25-2013, 04:42 PM:

Well I made up a test jig and got the Mod 6 connected and working with my cable box going into one of the 'solar cell' inputs. It sounds great! Good separation between L,R,LSurr,RSurr,Center and sub. I'm building a custom in/out switching system with 3 power amps for LSurr, RSurr and Center.

Funny thing, though - this unit has a Mod 7 Matrix board in it.

This is a Mod 6 Matrix board:

And this is what I have:

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-25-2013, 05:32 PM:

Smart originally had a dsp matrix utilizing the circle surround that was used in the mod 6 it was more than a little troublesome and they introduced the Analogue CircleSurround matrix card later that was continued into the mod 7 and 8

Posted by Emory Smith (Member # 7399) on 05-25-2013, 06:03 PM:

Thank you, Gordon.