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Author Topic: How low is too low for DTS LED Voltage Paul Konen Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 981 From: Frisco, TX. (North of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 05-15-2006 05:00 PM                     Would you replace them when they get below 1V DC? They are already maxed out on the the adjustment pot.  |  IP: Logged Eric Robinson Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 538 From: Santa Rosa, CA Registered: Jan 2005 posted 05-15-2006 05:28 PM                     From my experience I have noted DTS readers to start failing around 2.5VDC. I always send them in for calibration when they reach 2.5VDC or below. (With the pot maxed out.)  |  IP: Logged Frank Dubrois Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 896 From: Cleveland, OH Registered: Mar 2005 posted 05-15-2006 06:54 PM                    I've had them work at lower voltage to. I guess I'd say that the voltage is too low when the sound starts dropping out.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 05-15-2006 07:25 PM                     Once upon a time I spoke with a DTS tech on this...they claimed that at around 2-Volts should really be the lower limit. I know I've had some that were below 2-Volts that played fine (I now routinely check them and have stumbled across some that were playing that low). One thing I'm amazed at is how fast they no longer seem to be able to reach 4-volts...some less than 2-years old.  |  IP: Logged Don Sneed Master Film Handler Posts: 451 From: Texas City, TX, USA Registered: Aug 2001 posted 05-15-2006 07:52 PM                        I have seen these readers work at .5 volts with no problems, we make it a point to check all readers durning PM's, if we find a reader down to 1-1.5vdc, we replace it...it appears the voltage drops about 1 volt a year...I seen brand new readers down to 3v max out....I would say to have it replace at 1-1.5vdc...good or bad, replace it....  |  IP: Logged Ian Bailey Master Film Handler Posts: 317 From: Nambucca Heads, Australia Registered: Jun 2003 posted 05-15-2006 08:10 PM                     Hi Does this mean you have to replace the whole reader or just the LED? THX Ian  |  IP: Logged Don Sneed Master Film Handler Posts: 451 From: Texas City, TX, USA Registered: Aug 2001 posted 05-16-2006 07:56 AM                        We do an repair/exchange, we change the whole reader, I don't think you can replace just the LED, you have to replace the reader...I could be wrong on the price but I think it is $350.00 per reader....  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 05-16-2006 06:34 PM                     quote: Don Sneed I have seen these readers work at .5 volts with no problems I've never seen a player function properly with a half volt of TC comming in. About 1.8 to 2 volts is the minimum for stable operation. ALSO! XD-10's are ALOT more voltage fussy than both the 6D and older 6 models so be careful!!! Best to check it and reset if necessary. quote: Don Sneed We do an repair/exchange, we change the whole reader, I don't think you can replace just the LED, you have to replace the reader...I could be wrong on the price but I think it is $350.00 per reader.... Actually as long as the drum is servicable... the width of it is not worn excessively we just replace the LED in our shop for a 100.00 flat fee. It is a special LED. Gord Mcleod in Toronto also installs LED's in them. Also be vary aware of worn drums. Its easy to check the drum with either a piece of frech estar film or a strip of steel film. Any wear of the width of the drum that is enough to allow the DTS track to weave off center will also affect its reading reliability. Lately I've seen about half and half that we have to return for worn drums and half that just need LED's. Proper alignment of the reader is an absolute must for longevity of the reader. The pisser is that the DTS T.C. bracket was not properly designed to allow the correct positioning UNLESS you remove the large flat washers to allow enough room to locate the bracket. Mark  |  IP: Logged Mike B. Smith Film Handler Posts: 82 From: Universal City Registered: Nov 2004 posted 05-16-2006 10:29 PM                     How low can you go? Well it depends… There are variables that exist which can determine Timecode readability such as reader head alignment, LED voltage and even the print itself. It’s true some DTS players are better then others for continuing to read at lower voltages, particular the DTS-6 and 6D but to prevent possible playback issues DTS recommends adjusting the LED voltage to 4V. If this can not be achieved, don’t panic as an average you should not let it fall below 2V, this is a recommendation for all units, although as stated earlier some may play quite reliable below that voltage. Lately there has been some concerns over the early fall off of LED voltage. DTS is not ignoring this issue and has been conducting multiple tests with different LED’s and manufacturers for maximum performance. These tests do take time and unfortunately it is not as simple as placing a brighter LED in the head, this in itself can cause reading problems by over saturating the track. Many factors are involved with selecting a correct LED for use in a DTS Timecode Head. Recently DTS has qualified a new LED that is performing quite well, along with this; a new board design has just been completed that is also *RoHS compliant. This new improved head will automatically adjust to 4V on power up, if this voltage cannot be achieved, the green LED will blink on the Timecode head to notify you that service is needed. The blinking will only occur when film is not running, once playing the green LED will re-act the same as the older model heads. *The RoHS Directive stands for "the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment". This Directive will ban the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants from 1 July 2006.  |  IP: Logged Richard Fowler Film God Posts: 2392 From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA Registered: Jun 2001 posted 05-17-2006 09:00 AM                     RoHS compliance is affecting many manufacturers with either retiring older models, redesigning existing products or coming out with new models. One manufacturer I deal with is seeing up to 400% increases in basic replacement components on future production runs. Besides the electronic components it effects the chassis, enclosures that are part of the product.  |  IP: Logged Matt Fields Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 545 From: Ohio, United States Registered: Jun 2005 posted 05-17-2006 10:07 AM                     No offense to our European friends, but no one is keeling over from LED's. This is a classic example of goverment caused inflation.  |  IP: Logged Eric Robinson Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 538 From: Santa Rosa, CA Registered: Jan 2005 posted 05-17-2006 10:25 AM                     I havn't cracked one of these open, but if possible, it would be nice if the LED could be packaged in a user replaceable assembly. Moreover, an alignment mechanism as well as documentation for alignment. I'm glad I don't have to send my 5 star sound head in everytime I have to replace an LED.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 05-17-2006 02:49 PM                     matt said "No offense to our European friends, but no one is keeling over from LED's. This is a classic example of goverment caused inflation." actually it has nothing to do with the led but the circuit board all electronic pcbs must be lead free to meet EU rules now and since this in some cases has required a redesign for thruhole plating it often means a redesign of the product occurs at the same time  |  IP: Logged Bruce Hansen Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 847 From: Stone Mountain, GA, USA Registered: Dec 1999 posted 05-17-2006 06:43 PM                     The reason behind RoHS has to do with the amount of electronics that is thrown away today. There is lead in the solder, and other parts. That lead gets into the ground water, that becomes drinking water. It has been proven that lead causes brain damage in children. If we wish to continue to be able to live on this little planet, we must start taking responsibly for our actions, and stop being stupid. Peoples lives are, and must be, more important than silly corporate profits. One question about the auto adjust feature on the new reader, what happens if the unit is turned on with film in the reader? Would the adjustment fail? BTW, I once tried slowly adjusting the gain pot in the DTS reader from one end to the other, and at no time did the DTS unit stop reading code (the green TC light did not go out).  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 05-17-2006 06:44 PM                     Mike, What we have done is to select a brighter LED and run it at lower current to achieve the same brightness as the LED you are using. This allows much longer LED life... about 150,000 hours MTF according to tests the LED manufacturer has done and provided me with. So far so good. The auto adjust is long overdue as is a decent reader with a drum not made from gum soft alumnium! Mark @ CLACO  |  IP: Logged

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