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Topic: sound up or down on platter?

Kara J. McVay
Film Handler

Posts: 95
From: Delaware, OH
Registered: May 2002

posted 06-21-2002 10:17 AM

I searched for an old thread but couldn't find one, sorry if there is an old one out there.

I have been away from a booth for 11 years and I am in the process of buying a 3-screen 1916 movie house.

When I left in 1991 we always made sure our sound was facing up when it was on a platter. The folks that are there now put it sound down. The only excuse they give me is when poly-film came out they were told to put it on sound down. (by whom I have not idea) I have watched them build a print up this way and it seems to me this would be a great way to scratch the hell out of a print.

Am I just out of the loop or is this wrong?

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Paul Mayer
Oh get out of it Melvin, before it pulls you under!

Posts: 3836
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Feb 2000

posted 06-21-2002 10:33 AM

Sounds like they got it backwards. Take a look in the Tips section and you'll see the recommendation for track-up orientation (emulsion out) for polyester prints.

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John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 06-21-2002 10:47 AM

In most cases with today's polyester prints, emulsion-out (track up) on a platter seems to work better. But the optimum orientation depends upon the curl of the film, which is dependent upon the drying conditions of the print, and the relative humidity in the projection room. So if you are having problems with one orientation (e.g., more "static cling"), try the other. Optimum humidity range is 50 to 60 percent RH.

Confusion may exist because of SMPTE Recommended Practice RP39 which recommends maintaining an "emulsion-in" orientation for optimum focus stability. But SMPTE RP39 is based on triacetate film, wound on small hub cores and reels.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 06-21-2002 03:10 PM

I agree with John. Sound Track Up!

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-21-2002 03:53 PM

Bottom line follow the company policy

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 06-21-2002 04:14 PM

But Gord, he IS the company policy!

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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"

Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 06-21-2002 05:23 PM

Sometimes running the film track down for ONE showing will help reduce static. Don't ask me why.

Sometimes you have to run the film track down for ONE showing to FilmGuard the other edge...if you're still using PTR's like I am you cannot apply FilmGuard to the whole print area.

All other times I run with the track up.

Long ago, I used to think that this was to prevent damaging the soundtrack if the rollers happen to be misaligned (dragging on platter with track-down would damage both picture and sound).

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Joe Redifer
You need a beating today

Posts: 12859
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: May 99

posted 06-21-2002 06:54 PM

Static? What the hell is that? Oh yeah it's something people who don't use Filmguard experience with their prints.

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John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 06-21-2002 10:16 PM

Manny said: "Sometimes running the film track down for ONE showing will help reduce static. Don't ask me why."

The natural "curl" of the film acts as a stiffener, helping keep the film from "pulling in" an extra lap if there is "static cling". But curl varies with the drying conditions of the print, and the relative humidity in the projection room. So use the orientation that seems to give the least pull-in under your conditions.

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Kara J. McVay
Film Handler

Posts: 95
From: Delaware, OH
Registered: May 2002

posted 06-22-2002 07:00 AM

Thanks all, as soon as I get the keys it will be sound up from then on. And of course Film Guard will be used.

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