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Author Topic: Dream Catcher projector Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 06-16-1999 07:26 PM                        Has anybody used the new Projector from CFS called the Dream catcher? if so, what are your impressions? I heard that if you walked up to it while it was running and touched the chassis the entire projector would turn itself off. The Dream Catcher is an electronically driven projector that runs film and has "modules" for each sprocket that can supposedly be swapped out quickly, thus making it the simplest projector design on the market (or so they say). What I am interested in is onscreen performance.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 06-16-1999 08:24 PM                     For what it's worth... A friend who went to ShoWest told me they couldn't get the thing to run for two days. But when it finally did run, it was supposedly fantastic.  |  IP: Logged Aaron Sisemore Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day! Posts: 3061 From: Rockwall TX USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 06-17-1999 01:55 AM                     I saw the Dreamcatcher at ShoWest, and was very impressed! Moreso than the electronic Kinoton and Ernemann machines! First off, the fact that all the moving parts are on easily replaceable modules is a real time saver for major repairs! also you can adjust loop sizes while the film is running, there is a 1/3 speed 'jog mode' for making sure your film path is threaded properly ( or to run the leader down), it has two stepper-motor shutters, from what I saw, it is a nice machine! Now to get it to cost as much as a Simplex or Century... Aaron  |  IP: Logged System Notices Forum Watchdog / Soup Nazi Posts: 215 Registered: Apr 2004 posted 03-07-2005 01:54 PM                 It has been 2090 days since the last post.  |  IP: Logged Mitchell Dvoskin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1869 From: West Milford, NJ, USA Registered: Jan 2001 posted 03-07-2005 01:54 PM                     Well, what ever happened. Did these actually come to market? Is anyone using these commercially?  |  IP: Logged Richard Fowler Film God Posts: 2392 From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA Registered: Jun 2001 posted 03-07-2005 02:37 PM                     The unit died with the bankruptcy by the new owners of Cinema Film Systems. Dick Nccum, the rights owner,has no desire to manufacture the unit since the maketplace has changed.  |  IP: Logged Sam D. Chavez Film God Posts: 2153 From: Martinez, CA USA Registered: Aug 2003 posted 03-07-2005 06:10 PM                       Richard, You are much too kind! CFS sold about 10 of these hybrid devices (flycatchers) and in the end, all came back to the factory. Among their many problems was a sensitivity to static and we all know there is no problem with that in todays booths, what with miles of film hanging around, right? OK, I've had my rant for the day.  |  IP: Logged Aaron Sisemore Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day! Posts: 3061 From: Rockwall TX USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 03-08-2005 12:51 AM                     A 10-plex in Chico, CA has (had?) all Dreamcatchers in it. The owners of that theatre bought all of the Dreamcatcher parts and several unfinished projectors at CFS' liquidation auction. A great idea, poorly executed. I still liked it (the prototype) when I saw it at ShoWest. -Aaron  |  IP: Logged Richard Fowler Film God Posts: 2392 From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA Registered: Jun 2001 posted 03-08-2005 09:02 AM                     I must of had #11 . Dick Niccum noted that the Cinema Film Systems group, after he sold the company, did some changes to the unit which he did not like. The fiasco at a ShoWest screening did not help when they could not rack the framer far enough to get the image on the screen, so they had to go to a back up machine of another make. Limiting the framer was one of the decisions done to "steady" the picture since it had the same issues as a Christie when you rack too far in one direction. The unit we had went on several rentals with no problems.  |  IP: Logged John Westlund Expert Film Handler Posts: 204 From: Burney, CA, USA Registered: Jun 2001 posted 03-08-2005 04:41 PM                     Aaron, which theater in Chico has or had these? Im curious because im only about an hour away in Redding.  |  IP: Logged Aaron Sisemore Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day! Posts: 3061 From: Rockwall TX USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 03-09-2005 01:42 AM                     I don't remember the name of the place, All I remember was that the buyers of all the DC parts said that they had 10 of them running in Chico. This was also Dec. 1999, so its quite likely that the place has changed projectors by now. -Aaron  |  IP: Logged Phil Hill I love my cootie bug Posts: 7595 From: Hollywood, CA USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 03-09-2005 01:48 AM                  It was a good idea but the implementation got outta control. The very talented and smart Dick Niccum was the driving force for the idea and the prototypes. But Rentec's new owner and the new CEO got a hold of the new $$$ people and f*cked it all up. Too bad... it was a promising machine. I also agree, the EE guy needed a little more schooling...oh and Ummmmm EXPERIENCE in real-world environments. (It was NOT me!) HA! I think they made around 25-30 machines. I have one sitting in my garage.  |  IP: Logged Mike Olpin Chop Chop! Posts: 1852 From: Dallas, TX Registered: Jan 2002 posted 03-09-2005 02:27 AM                     Does anyone have any pictures or manuals relating to this machine? It sounds absolutely facinating.  |  IP: Logged Dan Lyons Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 698 From: Seal Beach, CA Registered: Sep 2002 posted 03-09-2005 02:36 AM                     OK Phil, take some pics; or leave your garage open and i'll stop by and take a few photos when i'm in town.  |  IP: Logged Phil Hill I love my cootie bug Posts: 7595 From: Hollywood, CA USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 03-09-2005 03:47 AM                  Danny... et too brute? So, I just now went and took some pics of my chopped-up Dreamcatcher. I have all the parts including the turret, the sound readers, etc... but I wanted the machine for experimental purposes so I took it apart and here are some pics of some of the various parts: The stripped machine: A Sprocket Drive servo motor: The Servo Drive Electronics (Only the top device): Oh, BTW Danny: Stop by anyway and bring your camera again. I'm ***SURE*** we can take some more pics that should NOT be posted on FT... Mike: Here's a pic of the complete machine:  |  IP: Logged

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