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Author Topic: DTS Reader voltage question Frank Dubrois Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 896 From: Cleveland, OH Registered: Mar 2005 posted 11-23-2006 08:32 PM                    I know the DTS reader voltage should be at 4 volts. I assume thats with the projector not running and no film present. I was wondering what the reading should be with film running? The reason I ask is we have several older readers that read in the area of 2 volts, but when film is running, they drop to about .9 volts. Is that normal? Is that acceptable? We haven't had any problems, but these readings made me wonder if we might start getting drop outs. all readers have the voltage maxed out.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 11-23-2006 08:46 PM                     Whereas you are now reading a modulated signal...your volt meter, if set to DC as before, will at best be reading the average DC offset. To read the level with the film running you will need an O'Scope.  |  IP: Logged Frank Dubrois Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 896 From: Cleveland, OH Registered: Mar 2005 posted 11-23-2006 10:46 PM                    ...and what should that read?  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-24-2006 10:17 AM                     About like this...  |  IP: Logged Don Sneed Master Film Handler Posts: 451 From: Texas City, TX, USA Registered: Aug 2001 posted 11-24-2006 10:37 PM                        I have seen these readers go down .5 volts on as DTS-6D player & still reads with no problems, I make it a habit to change the reader at 1.2vdc, to answer your question about .9vdc with film, I once got in a hurry & checked two machines with film & read the same thing as you are, thinking I had bad readers, than realize...hey I forgot to take out the film, then I read 3+ volts, & didn't have a problem...with film in the reader, .9volts plus is normal...for the past few years on my service calls I keep a record of the DTS reader voltage for that theatre, I found the readers is dropping about .8 volts per year, once it gets down to 1.2 volts I change the reader, I have seen .5 volts maxed out many times & still reading with no problem....  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-25-2006 08:57 AM                     quote: Don Sneed I have seen .5 volts maxed out many times & still reading with no problem.... Can't say I've seen any read very reliably at that level. When things go below about 1.8 to 2 volts it seems to get iffy and some will read and some won't. Provided the drum is not excessively worn we replace our own LED's and save the customer alot of $$. Our LED's also have a much lower fade rate than the typical DTS LED seems to have. Mark  |  IP: Logged Don Sneed Master Film Handler Posts: 451 From: Texas City, TX, USA Registered: Aug 2001 posted 11-27-2006 04:21 PM                        Mark, here is a good example, I just finish a PM service call in Oklahoma, I found (2) DTS readers, (1) on a DTS-6AD & (1) on a DTS-6D, both readers was at .8 volts, no drop outs, no LED blinking, no problem, I did changed the two readers with new DTS readers...this is not the first time seen this...Lucky Maybe ??  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 11-27-2006 05:00 PM                     .8V with the film out? I've never been that lucky...by about 2V things get dicey for me. Steve  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-27-2006 06:01 PM                     quote: Don Sneed Lucky Maybe ?? If thats with film out then lucky definately! Mark  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-27-2006 08:24 PM                     I usualy find that around 1.8 - 2.3 volts it is iffy  |  IP: Logged

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