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Author Topic: Durability of film vs digital equipment Terry Lynn-Stevens Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1081 From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Registered: Dec 2012 posted 01-07-2013 03:48 PM                     Hello, I need some help, I have basic 35mm knowledge and I am in a good argument with somebody in regards to 35mm vs digital cinema. I hope I have posted in the right forum, I am new around here. Basically, I have stated that a well done 35mm set up will last longer, and turn out to be more efficient than a digital set up. With basic maintenance, 35mm parts could last decades before needing replacement. Can someone give me a basic idea of how long a brand new, well done, high quality 35mm set up will last "all things considered" versus a brand new digital set up "all things considered"?  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-07-2013 04:18 PM                        You are correct that 35mm equipment will last longer, is easier to fix, and is cheaper than digital equipment. There are lots of projectors out there that are 50 or more years old and still running fine -- but if you want to be in the movie business these days (and not run old movies) you pretty much have to go digital, because in not too many months the studios won't be providing film anymore. The whole reasoning for the change to digital is: Cheaper for the studios 3-D and high-frame-rate capability Less manpower for the theatres Picture not susceptible to scratches and damage In a lot of places, brighter and sharper picture and better sound  |  IP: Logged Manny Knowles "What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???" Posts: 4247 From: Bloomington, IN, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 01-07-2013 04:42 PM                     Film or digital: Maintenance is a cost of doing business. No getting around that. Yes, a digital projector requires maintenance but that's the projector that will give you a return on the investment because it will actually get used to show the movies that sell the tickets. So, who cares? Meanwhile, your new film projector remains a virgin forever, requiring ZERO maintenance because it is never used. So, technically, you could win this argument but it would be a hollow victory because there is no wisdom or value in this option. Realistically speaking. Even if you're a repertory cinema, you'll likely arrive at that point where you wish for a digital projector due to (a) more and more titles are digital-only; (b) many available film prints are worn out and you'll wish you could show a DCP or Bluray; (c) the good archival prints become off-limits, as film becomes a rarity. Even if you're committed to the notion of running film "whenever possible," you'll still need digital for those times when film is not a viable option. So, you see, it's really less a question of the longevity of the actual equipment per se, and more about technological obsolescence: Film is dead. You'll have to face this fact sooner or later. But digital isn't exactly sitting pretty. It's still an evolving technology. The equipment may last but, if the formats keep evolving, that gear will need upgrades from time to time. That's the kind of cost I'd be more concerned about. Not maintenance.  |  IP: Logged Martin McCaffery Film God Posts: 2481 From: Montgomery, AL Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-07-2013 04:43 PM                        Just to answer the second part of the question, the digital projectors are supposed to last 10 years -- tops. We'll see if they do. DCI projectors are just computers with really big light sources. How long does your average computer last?  |  IP: Logged Mike Frese Master Film Handler Posts: 465 From: Holts Summit, MO Registered: Jun 2007 posted 01-07-2013 10:55 PM                        Yes Terry you win hands down. Unfortunately, it is a worthless victory. That reliable 35mm film equipment is worth scrap prices these days.  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 01-07-2013 11:13 PM                     The 35mm projector in my theater was installed over 15 years ago with only oil changes and regular maintenance. We bought it as used equipment, over 30 years old when we got it. I have no doubt that it could last another 50 years with proper care.  |  IP: Logged Alan Plester Expert Film Handler Posts: 209 From: great yarmouth england Registered: Apr 2001 posted 01-08-2013 03:50 AM                     2 bth projectors i worked with were nearly 50 years old when the cinema shut and were sold on, as far as i know, they still be cranking out shows.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 01-08-2013 04:47 AM                     Hi Terry, I realize this is your first post, but you need to read the rules of these forums and fix this thread, as it will be deleted very soon and your posting privileges removed if you don't attend to it. We have a very high signal to noise ratio here and that is because we are strict with the rules. Your participation requires that you read and follow them. Thank you.  |  IP: Logged Stephen Furley Film God Posts: 3059 From: Coulsdon, Croydon, England Registered: May 2002 posted 01-08-2013 05:21 AM                     quote: Mike Blakesley The whole reasoning for the change to digital is: Cheaper for the studios 3-D and high-frame-rate capability Less manpower for the theatres Picture not susceptible to scratches and damage In a lot of places, brighter and sharper picture and better sound Also gives you the ability to do things which you cannot do with film, such as to show live events, e.g. opera from the Met, or sporting events.  |  IP: Logged Dennis Benjamin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1445 From: Denton, MD Registered: Feb 2002 posted 01-08-2013 10:09 AM                        The film studios are ending the argument for you. They are stopping commercial production of 35mm prints by the end this year in the U.S. Film will live only in the archives.  |  IP: Logged Edward Havens Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 614 From: Los Angeles, CA Registered: Mar 2008 posted 01-08-2013 10:54 AM                     The best way to end an argument where both parties are "right" in certain aspects of the disagreement is to agree to disagree and move on.  |  IP: Logged Mitchell Dvoskin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1869 From: West Milford, NJ, USA Registered: Jan 2001 posted 01-08-2013 01:40 PM                     Terry, what Brad is referring to is that "teaser" subject lines are not permitted here. Subject lines must describe what the thread is about in a meaningful way. For example, "End an argument" is a teaser. "Durability of film vs digital equipment" would be meaningful subject.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 01-08-2013 03:58 PM                     Mitchell...what are the odds that Terry will actually read through the rules now since the quick answer was just spoon fed? People are lazy these days ya know.  |  IP: Logged Michael Putlack Expert Film Handler Posts: 187 From: Fort Collins, Colorado Registered: Sep 2011 posted 01-13-2013 03:45 PM                        I think there is a rule about undermining Brad's master plan somewhere in the rules too...  |  IP: Logged Marin Zorica Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 671 From: Biograd na Moru, Croatia Registered: May 2003 posted 01-13-2013 04:43 PM                     I think major question on topic start isn't that he want to go with 35mm because that's jst can't be done Question is just simple comparasion between 35mm and dlp......in my opinion as many said allready and we know there are some machines running 50 years now and they could do another 50 without problem....but they wont, ehh On DLP, i think some life-span on projector which are run in multis with everyday 7 shows or so is like 10 years. Maybe more or less, depends how fast studios and others will have another upgrade and similar, but today series 2 machinea are probably here to stay in next 6-8 years for sure?  |  IP: Logged

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