|
|
Author
|
Topic: Are TA-10 Film Presence and Film Motion reliable functions?
|
Gary A. Hoselton
Film Handler
Posts: 59
From: Portland OR U.S.A.
Registered: Nov 2005
|
posted 11-29-2019 12:20 PM
For some years I’ve been using two Component Engineering TA-10 Theatre Automation control boxes to operate two Simplex XL’s atop 5-Star soundheads in changeover mode, using only the Motor, Lamp, and Douser bypass switches and never turning the TA-10 on. I’ve mounted the TA-10’s on the front wall, one in front of each operator position, such that I can’t reach one from the other. I’ve long been intrigued by the Film Presence and Film Motion detectors on the FM-35 Film Monitoring System, attached under the soundhead, as a way to automatically close the douser and remove power from the motor in the event film breaks or the tail runs out of one projector when I’m busy with the other projector. Finally, I’ve found some spare time this Thanksgiving Day to think about it. It appears that the TA-10 is designed for unattended single projector operation using a platter. With a TA-10 turned on and running a 30sec commercial thru its projector several times, at end of film motor shuts off and douser closes. However, seven seconds after depressing START, the douser opens (and closes on the other projector), which interferes with my manual changeover. Reading the Operators Manual, looks like I’d need to cut the run on the motherboard to Douser Close relay coil, and then wire from Event 3 Intermission thru an Output relay back to actuate Douser Close relay only at film break/end of film or loss of motion. Regrettably, this manual doesn’t include a schematic diagram of the motherboard, so I suppose I’d have to remove one and trace a bit—no fun. Questions: 1. Are the Film Presence and Film Motion functions reliable enough to run all the time? Any surprises? 2. Is there an easier way to use these functions in changeover mode?
| IP: Logged
|
|
Randy Stankey
Film God
Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99
|
posted 11-29-2019 02:56 PM
The FM-35 also has metal detecting cue sensors that are used to trip certain functions in the TA-10 or other systems.
Place a thin strip of metal foil tape either along the inboard edge of the film, the outboard edge or exactly in the center.
These foil strips only need to be about the length of one frame of film. For multiple, stacked cues they need to be about four frames of film apart.
You may combine inboard, outboard and center cues to achieve up to 7 discrete cues, depending on how your automation handles things. (There are 8 possible cue states if you count "No-Cue".)
The TA-10 does IB, OB and C cues, by itself. You'd have to tinker if you wanted to make it recognize IB/OB, IB/C, OB/C or IB/C/OB.
Three cues is plenty for 90% of the setups out there.
They are often used for "Lights-Up," "Lights-Down," and "End-of-Show" cues but there isn't any reason why you shouldn't be able to make them act as automated changeover cues.
I found the FM-35 to be quite reliable if they are kept clean.
If you use a soft brush of a Q-Tip to clean off the little windows underneath the horizontal plate, they'll operate without any trouble. If you let them get dirty, they'll start dropping out. (Not detecting film when they ought to.)
I have not ever had trouble with the metallic cue detectors, themselves. Just make sure that the foil cues are large enough.
When I first started, we were told to use very small cues. People used to blame the detectors when they didn't recognize cues. Later, I looked into the problem with the manufacturer and I learned that the cues need to be about as long as a frame of film to be 100% reliable.
I started doing that and never had a missed cue, since.
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All times are Central (GMT -6:00)
|
|
Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classicTM
6.3.1.2
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.
|