Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Denon DN-970FA Interface Question

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Posted by David Alter (Member # 3271) on 01-11-2006, 01:20 PM:

We are having intermittent synchronization issues with our old DDP system in our theater and I was wondering if any of you know how the Denon DN-970FA CD Cart Players syncronize to the timecode generator...

There are 2 cables for each player:
Remote #1 - 25 pin Sub-D connector which appears to control transport (play, pause, seek...)

Remote #2 - 9 pin Sub-D connector which appears to be some sort of serial signal connection (possibly SMPTE)

If anyone happens to have a manual for the DN-970FA player or the Sonics Timecode Generator or more knowlege about this system, I would greatly appreciate it.

THANKS! [Smile]

Posted by Dick Vaughan (Member # 540) on 01-13-2006, 11:36 AM:

This may sound obvious but why not contact your IMAX service guy [Confused]

Posted by David Alter (Member # 3271) on 01-14-2006, 01:53 AM:

We have contacted IMAX about this problem many times. The folks and Sonics/IMAX keep sending us very old, refurbed CD players and we continue to have problems. In fact, one unit they sent us was missing the front face plate and was also DOA.

On top of this, the shows we ran all season and post-season didn't come with 35mm dubber films, so we had no backup audio source. Without a backup, we've had to cancel numerous shows in the middle of playback and file out over 700 people on busy days.

With just some basic information about the way the system communicates with the players, I can determine where the problem is and possibly throw in a unit to chase the SMPTE timecode as a backup source until we resolve the issue.

Just thought someone might have an old manual sitting around...

Posted by Jeffry L. Johnson (Member # 453) on 01-14-2006, 10:19 AM:

Can you convince IMAX to pay for 35mm mag soundtracks until you or they fix the problem? Or purchase them yourself? I would think the 35mm mag backup would pay for itself rather quickly in elimination of lost shows. Another option is upgrading to the AE-1 or similar.

I think those players are no longer made, so all you will see are refurbished ones.

Are you receiving good timecode from the projector?

Have you checked for any frayed or nicked wiring in the back of the DDP, especially near the rear door latches?

You might have better success asking at 1570.com.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 01-18-2006, 09:54 AM:

normally the rental agreement usually includes one soundtrack only we always just pay anyway for a mag as a backup