It does this on every film that is run on it,
from shanghi noon, rush hour, gladiator, shaft, they all did it towards the end of the film, then would try to cut back in but would do so very fleetingly.

We have replaced the drives, but the problem continues.

Does anyone have any insight to this problem?

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John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com

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------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com

quote:

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When does the DTS-6D typically switch between drives?

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It's always at a reel change. The dts disks have individual files on them for each reel.

John, I'm just trying to make absolute clarification. He did make those points clear, but if it is dropping out toward the end of each film, this makes no sense. I thought perhaps the discs were scratched, as the end of the movie would be on the outer edge of a disc. He is running sub-run, so it is likely the discs have handling marks on the outer edges. Second, the recommendation to swap discs was to clear up a possible drive problem glitching at the same point on any disc inserted. Still, this makes no sense. If he was running off of a tower, then I could see the problem due to the wildly varying feed tension. However, I think he is feeding from a SPECO, which should be giving very constant tension. I've never known them to bounce and "extra tension" really doesn't matter with DTS, except to stop a bounce in the payout. So long as the feed is smooth, it doesn't matter how much or little the tension is.

Bottom line, we need more specifics here.

This is not normal. I've read on DTS manual that if the offset of readers are greater than 70 so digital sound starts late.
The change of disk is made after the 3rd or 4th reel (depending of film lenght).
I have an offset of 55. When the timecode of the new reel, on the second disk, pass through the reader, The unit has 2 seconds before new frames will be projected and, in case of problem, another 1,2 seconds (the end of sound of the previous reel).

My old DTS 6 with 4X drives and 386SX has no problem. I think that a 6D with 486 and 16X sould have less problem than mine...

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If the disks are damaged then I know what operator to fire. These problems started just two months ago from what I understand.

And you are right, it is a speco platter.

1) Swapping discs around doesn't affect the problem.
2) Every movie does this.

This is indeed a strange problem. There are some conflicting variables. Lets look at this from all angles.

The discs:
One would assume that if it were the discs it wouldn't happen with all films, as not all discs can have the same problem. Just in case though...
Make sure someone isn't mishandling the discs and getting smudges around the outer edges. If the discs appear dirty, clean them. Dry Wash 'N Guard or Rain X are great for CD's.

The drives:
If it were the drives the problem would occur with whatever disc is in that particular drive, but Dave says it happens near the end of the film regardless of which drives the discs are in. Just in case blow out the drives with compressed air.

The print:
If all movies are doing this, and they play fine on other houses, this cannot be the case.

The only thing that leaves is a tension issue. The tension can change as you get deeper and deeper into the print. As John suggested try adding tension before the DTS reader (I have seen some crazy setups before, but whatever works...). When the scene comes up and the DTS drops out, 'pinch' the film just before the DTS reader and see if the reader starts tracking again. If it does, problem solved. Add some tension via extra rollers if necessary. I have seen as many as four rollers added between the upper reel arm roller and the first (black) DTS roller.

I would definately check your firmware version. If it has never been updated, the version will be on the back of the processor, if it has been upgraded (and not re-labeled), you would have to open up the casing and check the chip. If you have anything before 1.46, contact DTS for a new (free) firmware.

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If you still do not believe me or cannot see how the tension stays the same, get yourself a ladder and set beside the film path. Place a piece of tape on the ladder at the lowest point of the film's travel toward the projector during the trailers and then come back at the end credits and you will see the "slack" has not changed.