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This topic comprises 4 pages: 1 2 3 4
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Author
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Topic: quick guide to 35mm optical (mono vs. Dolby stereo) & Dolby Analog NR formats by year
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Brian Dooda
Film Handler
Posts: 16
From: Brooklyn, New York / USA
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 09-19-2006 01:25 PM
Guide to Optical Sound Formats (Mono vs. Dolby Stereo)
pre 1927 – Probably Silent, very few exceptions 1927-1975 - Mono** 1975-1985 – probably Mono, few Stereo 1985-1987 – 50/50 Mono or Stereo post 1987 – probably Stereo
* A Stereo or Mono print will both suffer some quality if played through the wrong format, but if you are uncertain of a print, it is best to play back in Mono. ** Although not Dolby Stereo, other "stereo" formats did exist on some major Hollywood films during these years, the most popular being Perspecta Sound (1954-1957) and Magnetic stereo (peaking between 1955-1965).
Guide to Dolby Analog NR Formats (A-type vs. SR-type)
1975-1987 – A-type noise reduction 1987-1995 – probably A-type, few SR-type 1995-1997 – 50/50 A-type or SR-type post 1997 – probably SR-type
* All prints with a Dolby Digital track (introduced in 1992) use a SR-type optical sound track * After 1987 a stereo print could be A-type or SR-type. There is no way to tell just by looking at the track. It must be labelled. If you are not certain a stereo print is A or SR, it is best to play it with A-type noise reduction.
The years and probabilities of formats are based on figures reported to me by the Dolby librarian of types of sound formats produced each year worldwide. I compared that with figures of films produced annually from film almanacs and focused the years around domestic releases. [ 09-25-2006, 12:48 PM: Message edited by: Brian Dooda ]
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Charles Greenlee
Jedi Master Film Handler
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Posts: 801
From: Savannah, Ga, U.S.
Registered: Jun 2006
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posted 09-20-2006 12:34 AM
On a side note, though this is a valuable, and potentially instructional thread, I'd like to add another entry.
1940 - Fantasound (RCA and Disney). Features 3 descreet channels and a control channel on a dedicated film. The control channel allowed the 3 sound channels to be panned between 2 speakers each, emulating 6 channels. The original surround system.
I add this for factual note, not that anyone will use a Fantasound system, or run into a print. BTW, if you do run into a vintage 1940 print of Fantasia, it will have a mono backup on the print. Doubt you'll ever find the soundtrack film for it though.
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This topic comprises 4 pages: 1 2 3 4
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