posted 07-07-2013 12:12 PM                    

^^^^^ @ Louis and Jeff: True that.

quote: Scott Norwood

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Is it common to put the entire projector on a UPS? That seems like it could get very expensive very quickly just to prepare for what should be a rather rare event. Do these theatres have generators as well, with the UPS just being there to allow time for the generator to start up and stabilize? I would think that there would be other issues with running a theatre during a power outage (no HVAC, emergency lights on in auditoria, no ticket machine/cash register, etc.).

It definitely makes sense to use a UPS for the server and possibly the sound processor, but I am surprised that people are able to justify it for the projector, too, and am curious as to how it is being implemented. I certainly never heard of anyone doing this with film projectors, although I can see where a 10-20 minute boot time for the D-cinema system would be problematic.

Also, what is the failure mode of D-cinema servers in the event of a power failure? Do they start up at the beginning of the movie and require that the operator "fast forward" to the part where the power failed? Or do they remember the playback position and re-start there?

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In my limited experience so far, it IS uncommon for the ENTIRE projector to be on a UPS. I have just been protecting the electronics...(Christie CP2210 and 2220) as the lamp obviously will go out during an outage. That, and the sound rack, etc. It would get very expensive fast to protect ALL of what you'd need to keep the show running (Like Steve said, at least 8kvA or more)so that is rarely done.

Good point on all the other issues of HVAC, etc and emergency lights coming on.

The most sense is to UPS the projector and server, the sound processor is irrelevant in a way since the amps will shut down. The reason you should (IMHO MUST) protect the projector is so that the cooling fans keep running so you don't end up "hot soaking" the projector's lamphouse and electronics. (35mm lamphouses rarely had delicate electronics in them so a hot soak didn't harm anything really.)

The implementation on Christes is really easy: they provide a separate IEC inlet to connect up UPS power. (On the 2210 you simply slide a switch above the IEC inlet..on the 2220 and up, you open a non-security side panel and reconnect a single molex-type connector.) I cannot speak for the other brands on the how-to. Best part: The UPS side is "universal" voltage, anything from 110-250 will work.

SO far, I have never tried to "power fail" a Dolby DSS200 to see where in the playback it will resume, if at all. The long reboot time and uncertainty of how it will act when restarting makes me not want to try it. Maybe someday if I get my own setup here to play around with I'll try it for shits and grins.

Finally, the OP is in Mexico..not exactly a place with the best and most stable power system.