Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Home theater digital/film processors?

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Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 03-10-2005, 02:22 PM:

Howdy.
Along with the many rediculously expensive projects I've got in the works right now I'm considering revamping an entertainment center, perhaps then I'll be able to enjoy Princess Mononoke...Anywho.

Initially it'll be DVD sourced only but I want to leave it open for expansion to film. I'm intending to start with the existing tv but swap that out later to a DLP projector or some other larger pic format.
That's not important now.
I'm planning on building an HTPC running Linux and MythTV or something similar. I may even code my own interface.
That's not important, anywho.

The real question is what processor should I use?
I'd rather go with a professional solution (possibly Dolby?) so that I can simply connect the inputs when I finally do switch over to film.
What I'd like is a CP65 or 650 if I can get one at a decent price, but I haven't got a clue what cards I'd need to make it work. If I even can.
Help? Flames? Comments?

[ 10-14-2008, 02:54 PM: Message edited by: Dominic Espinosa ]

Posted by Dean Kollet (Member # 1789) on 03-14-2005, 08:00 PM:

We use a CP500 here @ FSU to run Film, DVD, Video, etc. and it works great. We use a Sigma Electronics Switch box to handle all the sources that go into the one External 6 Channel Input on the CP500.

The CP650 does the same, and depending on the card, you can have up to four digital audio inputs.
The Cat. 794 Surround EX card has one digital input (this card is obsolete)
The Cat. 790 Surround EX card has four digital inputs (this is newer)
You can also get the Cat. 778 which has four digital audio inputs and five digital outs, and I think it can expand up to 10-Channel playback. It's mainly for studio use, so keep in mind you can't use the ADA Hearing Inpaired output with this, you'd have to go external.

I want to do the same exact thing when I'm done with College and I have a decent paying job. You can go with older units, such as a CP65 or even CP200, but I'll leave it up to the pros that have experience with such to answer that one.

edit: I forgot to mention that you have to have a DVD player with a built-in Dolby Digital Decoder

[ 03-14-2005, 09:08 PM: Message edited by: Dean Kollet ]

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-18-2005, 10:09 PM:

I wouldn't classify them as 4 digital inputs but rather 8 digital channels. When you are looking at the S/PDIF or AES input (card dependant) then you are looking at all of them. The format determines how the processor will react. So, if you have an AC-3 signal on channel 1...it will only look at channel 1 and turn that into 5.1 or so. There are other formats to use the other inputs.

However, only the Cat. 778 card gives one discrete control over the various outputs, including Surround Rear. As mentioned, it is primarily for studio use since all outputs are digital (no analog).