Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Problems with AE-1

This is topic Problems with AE-1 in forum Large Format Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Martin Maisonneuve (Member # 3602) on 03-27-2006, 08:36 AM:

Anyone experienced problems with the AE-1 digital soundtrack playback unit? We got ours installed mid February and we already lost 3 shows. The problem is the buffering of the sound. It gets stuck on a section of sound and keeps repeating it over and over. I used to run a DTAC which was 4 times better than this "new" system. IMAX is really on the downfall. Makes me sad to say this but the ones who's known them for a long time will surely say the same.

They send us a new unit on Friday, but it crashed again on Sunday. Since 2 units did the exact same thing, I'm starting to wonder if the problem is not elsewhere. Any Ideas?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 03-27-2006, 07:24 PM:

quote: Martin Maisonneuve
IMAX is really on the downfall.

I certainly agree! But just like any other corporation they've had to do it to line the pockets of their CEO and investors! Imax is letting their once great standards slip into oblivion. Too many sub-standard multiplex installs and the most wasteful film format in existance....DMR. The process shoulda been anamorphic but they choose to go the "Film Done Wrong" path instead.

For sound they shoulda just called DTS since they have a lossless digital system available off the shelf that is far superior. LIke the re-branded Crown amps they use they coulda hidden the DTS tag under another front cover.

Mark

Posted by Jeffry L. Johnson (Member # 453) on 04-02-2006, 10:24 AM:

Try removing any soundtracks you are not currently playing.

My worst problem with the AE-1 was the Palm m130 "fatal alert" which occurred once a week or two. IMAX suggested some BIOS setting changes to the AE-1 and the Palm fatal alerts have not returned.

Now, the most annoying issue is empty Palm windows when changing screens. This requires repeating some steps to see the soundtrack list in its window.