Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Dolby D-Cinema Seminar

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-26-2006, 01:04 PM:

Those of you techs that are wanting to know the ins and outs of D-Cinema should consider this seminar. Its an extremely well thought out course and very informative. I look forword to D-cinema and those of you that might be leary about it need to attend this!

Mark

Mark

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 07-26-2006, 06:15 PM:

When?
Where?
Cost?

etc...?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-27-2006, 12:00 AM:

I donno when the next one is but I will ask tommrrow and post it here. The cost was 800.00 plus hotel. You get a great rate of about 80 bucks a night. Held at Dolby in SF.

The main thing is that for those of you that know nothing or little about this stuff Dolby has sure done an inredible job on the design of their Server and Show Manager. It has by far the most straight forword user interface I've seen... any bubble gum chewing booth kid could easily be taught to program and run them.... unike other servers that actually require engineers to come in and load and program. Dolby has spent the better part of 6 years designing this system and the care and great thought that went into it is beyond belief. Its one of the most impressive pieces of gear that I've seen in a very long time.

Mark

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 07-27-2006, 12:15 AM:

If the server is so easy to operate (I have seen it, but not played with it), what are the $800 for? Do they also cover digital projection in general, theory and practical work on projectors, servers and integration into existing setups, stuff like that?

Posted by Paul Konen (Member # 41) on 07-27-2006, 08:53 AM:

True, the server is great and integrates well with existing automation. It's alot to ask for a booth to find space for a 4' tall rack to hold all the equipment, when there are other systems that can utilize 3 - 5u of existing rack space. Hence, I'm sure the price point on all of that is somewhat high.

It is quite durable and functionality is great!

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 07-27-2006, 08:57 AM:

The course is ongoing for another day and a half so we will give a review at the end.

The cost is to cover expenses and meals and has never been a profit center.

This is the first general course of DCinema. The previous ones were to train a specific group of installers for Chicken Little.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-27-2006, 09:30 AM:

quote: Michael Schaffer
Do they also cover digital projection in general, theory and practical work on projectors, servers and integration into existing setups, stuff like that?

Yes. Today is the hands on day with projectors... yesterday was hands on day with the Show Store, show manager and automation interface... programming for it's network and proper installation of it as well. We also discussed different network links... Cat 5e, 6 and fibre links. The latter probably being the better route for this stuff since its immune to noise.

Like Sam says we will give a more complete review of it all at the end of things.

The course is well worth its price even if you just want to just efficiently learn how to use the equipment!

Mark

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-28-2006, 11:34 PM:

Dolby has not set any dates yet for future courses but they assured me there will be more of them comming up. Anyone wanting to go might want to get in contact with them so they at least have your name when the next one is being planned.

Mark

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 07-28-2006, 11:45 PM:

When you were at the Dolby headquarters, did you behave or did you keep telling them that you think everything except Panastereo products suck? In other words, should we act like we don't know you?

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 07-29-2006, 12:01 AM:

The Dolby course was very thorough and lively with lots of give a take. The technical information was very forthcoming and open unlike the stance taken by of some of the DLP projector companies who are somewhat secretive.

Dolby seems to be concentrating on one of its core strengths of training the industry about theatre technology. It's a model that has worked for over 30 years and in exchange the industry has always rewarded Dolby with the lots of business. Hope it works this time.

The hardware and software seem very well done and the features make it very easy to load, assemble, and run a show.

It's all really quite easy, once you get past the IP addresses and such that seem to challenge the older techs.

Welcome to the future.

We also had a session on the Barco which is what Dolby chose for their screening room. The Barco setup software is quite elegant and makes it a breeze to converge and fit to the screen.

We also had a run thru on the Christie and NEC setup software.

The picture was flawless on a 30 foot screen.

All that remains is the cost issue. The projector prices are still very high and the servers are all over the place in terms of quality, ease of use, and price.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-29-2006, 12:41 AM:

quote: Michael Schaffer
When you were at the Dolby headquarters, did you behave or did you keep telling them that you think everything except Panastereo products suck? In other words, should we act like we don't know you?

Of course I would deny that I know you.....

We all had a hoot at dinner every night! I pretty much agree with everything that Sam said and I'd have to say that seeing the 2K unit on a 30 foot sereen at Dolby was very reminiscent of watching something in 70mm. Extremely sharp and with JPEG 2000 running there was that extra bit of detail and better color saturation comming through that really made the picture quality stunning. Keep in mind that this projctor was perfectly converged when we walked down to the screen to check it. The best word for the Dolby Show Store and Server is amazing!

Mark

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 07-29-2006, 01:56 AM:

That really does sound like you had a lot of fun there. I would have been interested to come, too, but I had no idea this was going on before Mark posted it about it here. We have had digital projection for years and now we have a system in each of our screens and run most of them in digital most of the time. We also did a lot of alternative content and other stuff, including digital open air, so I could maybe have contributed a thing or two. There are a few more problems in daily life than meet the eye at first but overall, yes, it is by far not as rocketsciencey as some seem to think...
I have worked extensively with Barco, Christie and NEC systems, and with Doremi and Avica servers setups, so I would have loved to take a look at the Dolby server concept in action, but again, I had no idea this was going on.

Sam - did you also teach classes at the seminar?

Posted by Wolff King Morrow (Member # 2226) on 07-29-2006, 02:26 AM:

I've had to become quite learned with my Dolby Digital Cinema setup. It has its advantages, but the main disadvantage is when glitches or other failures arrise, there's little chance of an easy fix or quick swap out. We've had quite a few problems and most involve the dreaded "software bug". Sometimes the machine would work fine, other times the software would decide something has critically failed when it hasn't. Patches introduced to the system every couple of months seem to trade one problem for another. A patch one month would make all but one thing work great like a light cue, then the next patch to fix this problem would screw up half a dozen other more important functions.

I imagine once the kinks are worked out, it will become a more stable alternative to 35mm.

[ 07-29-2006, 04:45 AM: Message edited by: Wolff King Morrow ]

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 07-29-2006, 10:48 AM:

I was there as a student as Dcinema is all new to me. It was a bit sureal to attend class as a student after conducting Dolby school for 14 years. Even after a 12 year absence, it feels very familiar.

As to the attendee's, they were all dealers and their technicians.

I can personally attest Mark was on his best behavior, except for some hideous Bermuda shorts he wore to the classes.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 07-29-2006, 11:54 AM:

Looks to me like the migration to JPEG will make a difference that will give some stability to the market.

I agree with Mark that the detail (only in JPEG) was amazing, showing frizz on hair and individual blades of grass, etc.

Possible future problems are:

1. Obsolence & the insurance to cushion it.

2. Inability to cover very large screens.

3. A financial plan that makes sense, givien the previous obsolence issues. Louis

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-29-2006, 04:01 PM:

I agree with 2 and 3 Louis but I think aside from exhibitors needing Light Engine failure insurance the rest of it is fine as-is. Since 2K is the defacto standard with 4K on the horizon and already in the standard that these projectors will probably not ever be to the point that if parts do become obsolete that new boards won't be built for them to keep em running. Not that improvements won't take place but any improvements will most likely be at board level and software levels allowing easy upgrades to be accomplished in the future.

Wolf,
To be fair I should also point out that there was a theater that reported in to Dolby while the seminar was going on that had run it 2000th faultless show. I wouldn't begin to speculate where your problems lie but calling Dolby would be the wise thing to do. The system can and does work well. They definately would want to know about your woes.

Mark

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 07-29-2006, 04:17 PM:

My concern with obsolesence is purely financial, Mark. This wonderful system will not allow survival if it not only doesn't GO, but requires expensive upgrades to remain viable. (I have not considered what will happen to those who buy equipment from companies who "grab the big money" and then disappear in bankrupcy.) (I speak with personal knowledge with a certain Microsoft based office computer network......set us back 18 months.) Louis

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 07-30-2006, 02:08 PM:

Jeepers! I would purely LOVE to go to this. Is Dolby videotaping these lectures, or offering home-study materials? Might be a good idea.

Btw, I want some manuals on all this stuff...

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-31-2006, 07:38 AM:

Tim,
I never could figure out why you're wasting all your talents away... why don't you get back into this buisness? Either way you're still on the road....

MArk

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 07-31-2006, 12:07 PM:

Mark: maybe trucking is the future for all of us?? Louis

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 07-31-2006, 12:26 PM:

quote: Louis Bornwasser
Mark: maybe trucking is the future for all of us?? Louis

Projection skills and showmanship are needed for both film and digital projection, certainly for "Film Done Right" and "Digital Done Right".

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 08-04-2006, 08:28 AM:

Career options, mental note, truck driving. I better look into getting a bigger licence. Cinema wages have gone down substantially over the last 20 years here in Sydney and to be perfectly honest I do not think that D Cinema will be giving me a pay rise in the near future. My current manager makes it well known that he resents the projection staff being paid the hourly rate that we are on, which is 2/3 what it was 10 years ago. Unfortunately everyday living costs are dramatically more now!
Any other career option suggestions, perhaps this could be a new thread. [Roll Eyes]

Ps Umm Dolby if you need any staff in Sydney, Australia, just click on the email tab above [Smile]

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 08-04-2006, 02:34 PM:

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
I never could figure out why you're wasting all your talents away... why don't you get back into this buisness?

Mark, that's very kind of you to say.

Okay, I'll get back to you. But my fairy Godmother usually grants my wishes in about 30 days...

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 08-04-2006, 04:12 PM:

Seriously, with a lot of digital installations coming up competent and qualified technicians are very much in demand. To the extent that it appears that they hire just about anyone who can hold a screw driver. The specific skills for d-cinema are usually taught by the factories, so it is not something you have to already know. But obviously, if you know about all the other stuff already, it will be very easy for you to pick it up. "Conventional" cinema knowledge is still very much needed because all the equipment needs to be integrated with existing installations.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 08-04-2006, 04:56 PM:

Tim, you could haul them and install them in one transaction [Wink]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-04-2006, 09:34 PM:

quote: Richard Fowler
Tim, you could haul them and install them in one transaction

Yea! But you'd have to get one of those super soft ride "Electronics Exhibit" trailers [Cool]

. You really should get back in this buisness Tim!

Mark

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 08-06-2006, 01:19 AM:

quote: Richard Fowler
you could haul them and install them in one transaction

Haha! Good point, Richard. [Smile]

Stay tuned, Mark. [Wink]

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 09-20-2006, 07:16 AM:

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
You really should get back in this buisness Tim!

quote: Tim Reed
Okay, I'll get back to you. But my fairy Godmother usually grants my wishes in about 30 days... Stay tuned...

*poof* My wish has been granted! I am now a member of the Strong Technical Services team. [thumbsup]

Posted by Demetris Thoupis (Member # 833) on 09-20-2006, 11:12 AM:

My honest opinion is that the worst part with D Cinema is that it will never stay the same. Every now and then new upgrades, new BETTER formats which give Better Sharper picture always trying to reach the original 35mm film which probably will never happen but no one will be able to tell the difference anyway. But another issue that has come to mind. Films that are shot using 35mm cameras then rendered on pcs to enchance the effects and everything and edit then and then transfered back on 35mm, wouldn't there be any loss on the image quality from the original to the final?
Best Regards
D

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 09-20-2006, 06:55 PM:

Tim, that's great news! [thumbsup]

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 09-20-2006, 08:34 PM:

quote: Tim Reed
*poof* My wish has been granted! I am now a member of the Strong Technical Services team.

Great News [thumbsup]

Good Luck

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 09-21-2006, 02:13 PM:

congrats Tim welcome back

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 09-21-2006, 09:52 PM:

Thanks, fellas! It's really, really good to be back. And I've always appreciated your kind words and support over the years. I am very thankful. [beer]

This would not have happened if it weren't for the consideration Bud Shepard extended to me. Honestly, I had already prepared myself mentally for the possibility that I might be a truck driver the rest of my life, so I really owe him a huge debt of gratitude. [thumbsup]

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 09-22-2006, 12:56 AM:

So now I guess you can stop watching Smokey and the Bandit a few times less a week eh? [Big Grin]

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 09-22-2006, 07:55 AM:

Tim, you could not look for a better guy to work for than Bud [thumbsup]