Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: CP500 Easter Eggs

This is topic CP500 Easter Eggs in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 03-01-2003, 07:46 PM:

I heared that the Dolby CP500 has easter eggs built into the software (hidden features, games, etc.) Is this true? If so , how are they activated?

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-01-2003, 08:13 PM:

You are familiar with the numbering scheme of the soft keys (SK), right? The left side is SK1-4 from top to bottom and the right side is SK5-8. Assuming you know how those buttons are named...

MENU
SK1
SK6 and 8 together
OK
SK4 and 8 together
OK
SK1
SK4
SK1
...at this point you will have a pop up screen that will want an access code. Dolby didn't put much thought into it. Just enter a string of "8" in a row (their backdoor password) using the fader control coupled with SK3 (up) and SK4 (down), then press
MENU

...then you will be at a screen where you can select between various games. It's been a long time since I played any during a movie, but I think there is Tetrice, Lemmings, a really crappy version of Pac Man, some elevator game, asteriods and a few others. I recommend you do this between intermissions though (in the event you hit a wrong key you don't want to screw up the sound).

Somewhere on the Dolby site there is supposed to be a hidden link where you can download additional games that can then be uploaded into the CP500 via laptop. I've never bothered to look for the link though.

Bear in mind these games have no color or sound, and they are extremely low resolution. Also be forewarned that when you have to do the "double" SK entries that they have to be hit at EXACTLY the same instant. If one of the two is pressed even just slightly before it's counterpart, the CP500 will just sit there and do nothing.

SK3 and 4 are your "up/down" buttons and "menu/ok" are your left/right buttons. The "format" button is your firing button.

There is also a combination of keys to press to have the password displayed on the lcd screen, but I don't think that is a good idea to post publicly. Only qualified techs have that sequence. The games are no big deal though. Someone must've been bored when they programmed those games in. I know the CP650 certainly doesn't have any!

Posted by Antonio Marcheselli (Member # 373) on 03-01-2003, 08:52 PM:

Brad,

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!!!!! [Eek!]

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-01-2003, 08:58 PM:

Actually...that is par for the course with software programmers....figure a way to sneek some sort of game onto anything that has a screen.

In the case of the CP-500...I'm surprised since it is so maxed out that they would have allowed those games to exist and take up valuable space.

Steve

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 03-01-2003, 09:05 PM:

I suspect the only "they" who knew about the easter eggs in the CP-500 were the programmers themselves. Having worked in the game biz for the last 10 years, I know first-hand that software developers LOVE to put in easter eggs. A lot of thought goes into it. I'm into pinball machines, and many digital pinball machines have easter eggs in them. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" pinball has always been rumored to have a breakout-type game in it as an easter egg, and a few people claim to have seen it, but nobody knows how to intentionally invoke it. It just comes up when it wants to, which is very rarely. [Cool]

Some DVDs supposedly have easter eggs in them. I think "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring" has at least one, although I haven't researched it... [will google it right now though]

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 03-01-2003, 09:30 PM:

How to put this.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ...

Okay now that thats out of my system,
DVD Easter Eggs

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 03-02-2003, 03:37 AM:

Brad - Don't go telling everybody about the games! They'll just get addicted like we did. Remember that Thursday night at the Chinese in #16 where we kept having Tetris (proper spelling) battles against each other? I remember kicking your ass at it, that's for sure! But the next thing we knew it was 4:15am and we still hadn't screened or moved any prints! That was a hellacious evening.

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 03-02-2003, 10:27 AM:

That's it. Now I have to save up to get a CP500 so I can play these games! Games in the theater's sound processor should be a must, anyway. Dolby should retrofit the CP50, 55, and 65 to have games, too. [thumbsup]

Better yet, DTS should figure out a way to get games on their DTS 6AD, and have these games stored on the movie CDs. That way, you could get a new game each week!!

=TMP=

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 03-02-2003, 08:25 PM:

I don't know about the 6D or 6AD but you ought to be able to play on a DTS6 with the addition of a video card, monitor, keyboard, and suitable software on a CD-R mislabeled "dts.exe." I'm surprised no one has written to say they are posting to F-T via their DTS box. Going online would be a cool challenge.

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 03-02-2003, 08:29 PM:

THAT'S IT! We should build a new chat server using a DTS-6AD. With the 6AD we could use the LCD display for server load status, etc.

Anybody got a DTS unit that they want to donate? The sound processing boards and CD-ROM drives don't need to be working.

Posted by Antonio Marcheselli (Member # 373) on 03-03-2003, 10:56 AM:

Brad,

Was you SK sequence a joke? [Wink]

I was told by some friends that the sequence is not working.
The software was 1.61 and 1.52

Bye
Antonio

Posted by David Graham Rose (Member # 1450) on 03-03-2003, 03:54 PM:

Hi Antonio

The games are only accessible if Ver1.61 or 1.61EX are installed on the processor. The cunning part about having 1.61EX is that all the enemies firepower is disabled - a nice touch on the part of the Dolby software engineers. Has anyone beaten my Hi score yet of 30785424899 on Tetris? I must admit, we had no one in the theatre that day! I am also lucky enough to have a CP650 with Version 2.1.9.0 software on it. If you have this, then along with the laptop software Version 2.1.9.5. then the original game of Doom, Gorf and Resident Evil is stored on the cat.794. Has anyone finished Resident Evil by playing only with the front panel controls? First to do so wins a weekend in Cambridge, UK!!!

Posted by Antonio Marcheselli (Member # 373) on 03-03-2003, 04:07 PM:

David

Oh, I see!!

I believe that SDDS players have a limited version of Unreal Tournament 2003 too....

[thumbsup]

Bye
Antonio

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 03-03-2003, 04:13 PM:

There should be an Easter egg for drive-in owners who get the Screen Attractions Demo DVD. The entire digitally-remastered "Showbiz" intermission clock can be played "in the clear" -- without superimposed logos or lower-third messages.

It's a chapter that doesn't display on the menu screen. You access it by entering "7"... unless the mastering facility disables it somehow when they make the copies.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-03-2003, 05:51 PM:

Antonio, I might have something backwards in the SK sequence. I know it works with all CP500 firmware. The 1.61 has extra games I think, though I've honestly never tried with that firmware. I'll have to check around here at Shoest and see what all I can find out.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 03-03-2003, 05:56 PM:

I wouldn't try loading up games on a classic 2-drive DTS-6 player since it has a museum-age Intel 386-based CPU. I don't know what level of Pentium CPU is installed in a DTS-6D player or DTS-6AD cinema processor, but I have doubts it would be powerful enough to play any DOS-based PC video games. Some of it would depend on how much RAM was installed in the system and if you could get a decent video card to work in the unit.

Posted by Antonio Marcheselli (Member # 373) on 03-03-2003, 06:05 PM:

Brad,

[eyes]

So aren't you kidding?
[eyes]

Antonio

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 03-04-2003, 01:22 AM:

Bobby Bobby...whatever shall we do with you? The point would be to do anything silly like that at all, not to try to play some screaming computing intensive game.

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 03-04-2003, 01:44 AM:

Pentium, try 486!

As for the DTS-6, that museum age 386 processor would work well as a mail server for a couple hundred users. [Smile]

Antonio, of course we're not kidding! What good is any microprocssor that you can't play games on.

And I'm still waiting for someone to donate any DTS unit for use as the chat server!

Posted by Antonio Marcheselli (Member # 373) on 03-04-2003, 05:22 AM:

Daryl, Brad,

If you're not kidding, so it seems that you sk sequence is not correct... [Smile]

Bye
Antonio

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 03-04-2003, 11:24 AM:

Oh shoot...what sequence did I hit to make this happen??? [Confused]

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 03-04-2003, 11:43 AM:

Steve

I have the same problem with my CP500. Dolby says it happens
when you go into user 3 format. You have a real problem when
it starts dancing like Bob.

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 03-04-2003, 12:47 PM:

User Format 3 is my "enhanced" non-sync. #1 is Lt/Rt printmaster, #2 is for dailies (no NR, no stereo decoding, track 1 remapped to C). There are many more including 4-track-on-6-track and 6-track external with what I call Euro channel assignments--L C R LS RS SW instead of L LS C RS R SW.

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 03-04-2003, 01:20 PM:

My set-up on the Custom screen is
[LIST]
user 1 mono strip mag
user 15 LT/RT printmaster
SR
SRD

user 2 left & right (2 track)
user 3 L/C/R (3 track)
user 6 L/ls/C/rs/R/sub (6 track)
user 16 L/C/R/ls/rs/sub (euro 6 track)

I have my DTS on the standard screen.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 03-04-2003, 01:37 PM:

At the Embassy (see today's pics) we use:

SK1 - Dolby SR (05) - fader setting 7.0 (for features) - auto-digital enabled
SK2 - Dolby A (04) - fader setting 4.5 (for company logo tag)
SK3 - Dolby Digital (10) - fader setting 7.0 (for SRD features)
SK4 - User 5 - copy of format 05 without subwoofer - fader setting 4.5 (for trailers)

SK5 - mono (01)
SK6 - Dolby A w/o surround (03)
SK7 - non-sync (60)
SK8 - external PA (64)

SK1, SK2, and SK4 can be pulsed by automation cues. For mono films, we reassign SK1 to format 01, fader setting 7.0. The setup is a bit convoluted, but it was done to match the automation setup at another theatre. I would have preferred to have it pulse SK1 at show start, SK2 for trailers, SK3 for feature, and SK4 for digital feature. But that's just me.

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 03-05-2003, 12:12 AM:

Leave it to the guys at Christie to program a real joke into their system.

BTW, why's this in FHF? It's a movin'...

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 03-05-2003, 06:30 PM:

Ah...here it is...I thought it had been deleted. Just as well because I'm waiting for someone to ask about a curio on the picture I posted above....besides Joe.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 03-05-2003, 06:31 PM:

Don't wait for me to ask about it. I was informed by Bobby Pinkston about the answer long ago.

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 03-05-2003, 10:10 PM:

I meant beside your picture on the display. Tell Bob Pinkston hello; I remember when he was hawking CDS.

Posted by Rick Long (Member # 213) on 03-05-2003, 11:25 PM:

Like maybe why does SK2 "04" have the "no, you're screwed" symbol beside it?

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 03-06-2003, 12:11 AM:

Ding ding ding...right!

It's because I yanked the 222 SR/A card with its pretend SR and put in a pair of Cat.350's (and daughterboard) which happened to be laying around. The 350's are SR only (normally one would use 300's which are dual mode) and the CP-500 is smart enough to know. The 222 card is kept handy against the rare day I come across an "A" track.

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 03-06-2003, 06:10 PM:

So has anyone found the correct sequence yet?? I had a friend of mine try this, and it only put the CP500 into bypass mode.

Posted by Chad Calpito (Member # 1562) on 03-06-2003, 07:21 PM:

Thanks for the information Brad. I didn't even know there were games associated with the Dolby CP550. I'll have to check it out. [Smile]

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 03-06-2003, 07:35 PM:

Truly, this will go down as one of F-T's shining moments...getting this heretofore secret info out to the masses to enjoy. [Wink]

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 03-06-2003, 09:16 PM:

Manager: "Why'd the sound drop out during the show?"

Some kid in the booth: "They gave me the wrong key sequence to play Tetris."

Posted by Rick Long (Member # 213) on 03-06-2003, 09:22 PM:

Steve,

Re: your comment on "the 222 SR/A card with its pretend SR" statement, I am curious as to why you refer to it as such.

I am sure this has been covered in the Film Handlers Forum. Perhaps someone with a better memory than I, can guide me to the appropriate post.

Thank you.

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 03-06-2003, 09:42 PM:

This thread should give you an idea of everyone's opinions on the Cat 222SR/A card.

Dolby CP65 / SR Advise needed, Cat. 222 or 350?

Posted by Rick Long (Member # 213) on 03-06-2003, 11:14 PM:

Thank you, Daryl.

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 03-06-2003, 11:21 PM:

Anytime!

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-07-2003, 06:01 AM:

Just got back in from ShoWest and will try out the sequence this weekend. I probably remembered the order backwards or just missed some crucial step.

Posted by Patrick de Groot (Member # 858) on 03-10-2003, 04:57 PM:

and the final safe combination where the games ar kept is.......

?

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 06-02-2003, 02:54 PM:

HA HA HA HA HA HA!

I knew it!

To all the people who didnt think it was real!

CHECK OUT THE HOME PAGE!
(sneak preview section)

[Big Grin]

(Mike Olpin dances the Bob Maar)

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 06-02-2003, 09:25 PM:

Geeze...I musta missed this thread after ShoWest...the thread on the 222SR/A listed wasn't the only one and only touched on the the fact that the 222SR/A card uses Dolby-S chips rather than real SR.

Steve

Posted by Kris Brunton (Member # 432) on 06-03-2003, 10:02 AM:

Well this is interesting - I guess I have to get my posts up to play games!!

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 06-03-2003, 12:41 PM:

Yeah, there are a few better threads to reference, but I don't think I could find them at the time -- now that the search database has been (somewhat) rebuilt, it might be easier to find them now.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 07-01-2003, 03:01 PM:

Notice: I went back and corrected some information in the review. There is now information that you NEED to know if you are trying to access games on the Dolby CP500. Please re-read the entire review. Get to the review HERE.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 07-04-2003, 06:12 AM:

Joe--when are you going to review the "extra" games from Dolby's web site? I want to know whether it's worth the trouble to download and install them.

And has anyone else heard about the games that come with the DTS 6D? Apparently you have to plug in a graphics card and hook up a monitor and keyboard to play them, though. Supposedly there's a pretty good (for something that runs on a 386) flight simulator game on there.