my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Film Handlers' Forum   » DTS Sub problem. (Page 1)

This topic comprises 2 pages: 1  2

Author Topic: DTS Sub problem. Aldo Baez Master Film Handler Posts: 266 From: USA Registered: Mar 2001 posted 01-07-2003 03:56 AM                    We recently moved one of our LOTR prints to a house that has dolby digital as its main format, it also has the ability to plug in an external DTS unit to it. Running LOTR in Dolby digital we get too many dropouts(probably the print we had no problem with the previous movie, yes it's a basement reader), so I decided to run it in DTS. On the CP500 screen I noticed that the subwoofer is not used at all. All the other speakers/channels are used but the sub (Even during very loud scenes where the sub should definately be used). The thing is when I switch it over to Dolby Digital sk8, the sub is used (at least on the cp500 screen) and I can definately hear it in the auditorium. Is there any way to fix this? It is a Christie package, with a CP500, it has EX capabilities (SA-10)? It has QSC-700 amps, the thing I plug the various DTS connections into is a USL DPP10 (sorry I don't know what the exact term for it is.) I don't know whether its the connection to the CP500 (I checked the connections in the back and they all look ok) or if it's something that I will have to call a technician out for. I know my way around the cp500 menus a bit so if anyone has any ideas (nothing that will blow it up ) please post Thanks  |  IP: Logged Mike Rendall Film Handler Posts: 78 From: Southampton, Hampshire, UK Registered: Nov 2002 posted 01-07-2003 05:57 AM                     It sounds like the cable may not be wired properly. If you look at the dts manual (on this site) page 45 I think tells you about the problems with a CP500 and dts6D and a non-functioning sub. Did the 6D used to be wired with a different processor before? Maybe it is the the wiring in the USL thingy? Mike  |  IP: Logged Antonio Marcheselli Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1260 From: Florence, Italy Registered: Mar 2000 posted 01-07-2003 07:37 AM                        Mike is absolutely right if you have NO subwoofer on DTS sound. On the troubleshooting DTS manual you can find: So check if your unit is 6 (two drivers) or 6D (three drives) and make the modification. Bye  |  IP: Logged Jon Bartow Master Film Handler Posts: 287 From: Massachusetts Registered: Nov 1999 posted 01-07-2003 08:24 AM                     Aldo, regardless of whether or not you see anything on the CP500 screen, are you getting anything out of the sub in the auditorium? If so, leave well enough alone. Has the DTS unit been set up properly for use with multiple houses (i.e. all outputs set the same so that they work in every house?) Do you have one of the setup discs so that you can test the sub output? Are you using format 11 external 6-channel or are you using a custom user format based on format 11 for your DTS? Are you using the SA-10 for DTS as well as Dolby digital? If not it is easy to set up. What I have done is make an adaptor for the back of the SA-10. One side a DB25M the other side a DB25F. Pins 1-13 connected pin to pin except pins 5 and 8 crossed. remaining pins not connected. This is for the SA-10 automation input connector. This is assuming that you have Dolby Digital-EX set up for sk8 (lower right) and DTS set up for sk5 (upper right). Then a DPDT toggle switch (I used a ON-OFF-ON type) mounted somewhere (on the adaptor or on the front of the rack somewhere so that you can bypass the adaptor for normal Dolby-EX. Jonathan  |  IP: Logged Karen Hultgren Master Film Handler Posts: 492 From: Agoura Hills, CA, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 01-07-2003 11:40 AM                        ALdo, Use a DTS setup disc and test the DTS player's outputs. Perhaps the sub pot on the DTS player is turned down (it is a 20-turn pot). If that doesn't work, use the setup disc and check the DTS sub output with a meter directly at the back of the DTS unit. You should see at least 300mV RMS. Karen at DTS khultgren@dtsonline.com  |  IP: Logged Aldo Baez Master Film Handler Posts: 266 From: USA Registered: Mar 2001 posted 01-08-2003 02:51 AM                    Jon, there is no sound coming from the sub in the auditorium in DTS. Antonio, which cable is the ANALOG cable exactly? Is it labeled? I have a 6D. Karen, I don't have a DTS setup disc unforunately, how can I get one?  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 01-08-2003 04:12 AM                     Aldo, Antonio is on the right track. You HAVE to pull pins 16 and 18 from the audio cable if you want dts sub with a CP500. You don't have to buy their special cable, just get a pair of needlenose pliers out and yank them out of the male end.  |  IP: Logged Antonio Marcheselli Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1260 From: Florence, Italy Registered: Mar 2000 posted 01-08-2003 04:17 AM                        Aldo Since there is no sound from the subwoofer in the auditorium there something to fix... However, I've read again your first message, you said that DTS cables end to an USL and I really don't know what is an "USL DPP10". Someone can help better of me on this. It sounds strange for me: what could be between CP500 and DTS6D? However, the audio cable is the one that are connected on the "Analog out" connector on the back of your DTS6D. IF this cable is directly connected to the CP500 you should find that the end of the cable that you connect on the CP are missing of two pins: 18 and 24. Usually a cable that seems the same is used to connect the "automation" connector from the DTS to the CP500 "automation" connector. This cable has all pins. If you swap for mistake the cable, the result will be no subwoofer in the auditorium. Karen is right too. You should check that all analog out, using the DS3 disk, are set at 300mV with the reference tone. But before adjusting the level: Do you use this DTS player just on one screen with Dolby Digital too? Or do you use it also in other sound rack alone, without any digital format? You can download 6D manual from DTS or from Film-Tech. Hope that this can help!! Bye  |  IP: Logged Karen Hultgren Master Film Handler Posts: 492 From: Agoura Hills, CA, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 01-08-2003 11:32 AM                        Aldo, You can get a DTS setup disc from any of our dealers listed on our web site at www.dtsonline.com/cinema The current disc is the DS3 that is used with the E313-00 breadout board and D561 adapter for DTS-6 units. Also, Brad has a good point, you must removed pins 16, 18, and 21 on the audio cable from the DTS-6D to the CP500. A drawing of it is in the DTS-6D manual. If you do not have a manual, go to our free online techcenter (same address as web site). All our manuals are posted there. Karen at DTS khultgren@dtsonline.com  |  IP: Logged Antonio Marcheselli Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1260 From: Florence, Italy Registered: Mar 2000 posted 01-08-2003 12:14 PM                        Hey Karen! I said it first!!!  |  IP: Logged Daryl C. W. O'Shea Film God Posts: 3977 From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from) Registered: Jun 2002 posted 01-08-2003 01:53 PM                        quote: However, the audio cable is the one that are connected on the "Analog out" connector on the back of your DTS6D. <snip> Usually a cable that seems the same is used to connect the "automation" connector from the DTS to the CP500 "automation" connector. This cable has all pins. If you swap for mistake the cable, the result will be no subwoofer in the auditorium. If these cables were swapped you would have no digital sound at all.  |  IP: Logged Aldo Baez Master Film Handler Posts: 266 From: USA Registered: Mar 2001 posted 01-08-2003 02:36 PM                    I'm gonna have to take a picture just to make sure before pulling any pins out. WiIll post it tomorrow. Antonio I just use it on this screen as a backup sound format in instances such as this as it is our second biggest house. I think I know which cable you are talking about but we have an adapter in the back connected to the cp500 so I don't know whether to take it out of the adapter or the cable itself.  |  IP: Logged John Hawkinson Film God Posts: 2273 From: Cambridge, MA, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 01-08-2003 05:19 PM                     Hey, Karen, is it legit to post .iso images of the DTS setup discs somewhere (like on Film-Tech, if Brad was willing)? I realize it's a no-no for DTS movie discs because of studio intellectual property issues, but that shouldn't apply to the DTS setup discs. Right? It might help out those people who need them in-a-pinch. --jhawk  |  IP: Logged Antonio Marcheselli Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1260 From: Florence, Italy Registered: Mar 2000 posted 01-08-2003 06:27 PM                        Daryl, Are not "audio" and "automation" the same cable inside? Aldo, Are you using DTS sound as Dolby Digital "backup"???? Bye  |  IP: Logged Daryl C. W. O'Shea Film God Posts: 3977 From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from) Registered: Jun 2002 posted 01-08-2003 06:55 PM                        Antonio, I thought you had meant only swapping one end of the cable so that you would have Audio to Automation and Automation to Audio. If both cables are 25 conductor / 25 pin, then yes you'll have all audio but the sub. However if your automation cable only has the pins/conductors needed for your specific automation, chances are you'll be missing at least a few audio channels.  |  IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 2 pages: 1  2

Printer-friendly view of this topic

Hop To: Select a Forum: Category: Operations -------------------- Digital Cinema Forum Film Handlers' Forum Large Format Forum Ground Level Feature Info, Trailer Attachments & REAL Credit Offsets Category: Community -------------------- Film-Yak Film Handlers' Movie Reviews The Afterlife Bob Maar's Joke-A-Thon Category: Classified -------------------- Equipment and Supplies Wanted/For Sale Help Wanted/Seeking Employment Category: System -------------------- Software Beta Testing Forum

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.