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Author Topic: Digital Changeover... Andrew Bangs Expert Film Handler Posts: 148 From: Kerrville, Texas, United States Registered: Sep 2008 posted 04-17-2009 11:09 AM                        Well it is happening. We just got delivery of 1 brand new digital projector. Unfortunately they lost the screen in shipping... so we won't get to install till monday but I was curious if any one here has been present at an install and could give me a bit of advice as to what to look for or what kinds of questions to ask the installers. 1 down 9 to go!!!  |  IP: Logged Demetris Thoupis Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1240 From: Aradippou, Larnaca, Cyprus Registered: Apr 2001 posted 04-17-2009 11:20 AM                     Mentioning what brand you are putting what server e.t.c might give us a hint!  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 04-17-2009 01:00 PM                     One thing for sure...it won't be a Horizon digital projector so you can expect a lot more reliability.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-17-2009 06:36 PM                     Andrew... We really need more particuluars on this. I disagree with Steve... It could actually be just as much pain in the ass as the Horizon gear is... depending on what they bought you. In my book for best reliability its Christie Projectors and Dolby Servers. Both Christie and Dolby also have unsurpassed after the purchase service if it's ever needed. If they bought you something else then it's touch and go although Qube and then Doremi would be my second and third choice for servers. For 3-D, Master Image and then Dolby. Real-D(umb)has too many strings attached!!!! The Real-D(umb) light doubler can only work at all in certain situations(and not many at that). So, please fill us in... Mark  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 04-17-2009 07:45 PM                        I'm betting he has Real-D since he is getting a new screen. Is Real-D cheaper? I am guessing that it MUST be.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-17-2009 08:59 PM                     quote: Joe Redifer Is Real-D cheaper? I am guessing that it MUST be. They try to convince you that it is but it's not and you're stuck with them for 10 years too!! Of course the best alternative is to actually OWN your 3-D system... so that means either Dolby or Master Image... I installed 2 Dolby 3-D systems this week... In my service area 3-D continues to do big buisness and now two sites now have 2 each Dolby 3-D systems! I think that with Dolby 3-D people are initally put off by the requirement and expense of an industrial dishwasher... Once an intelligent person researches it they discover that it's not as expensive as the other systems are over a given time period. Mark  |  IP: Logged David Zylstra Master Film Handler Posts: 432 From: Novi, MI, USA Registered: Mar 2007 posted 04-17-2009 10:49 PM                     good to hear the Horizon stuff is starting to go - now you have a full set of spare parts for the other machines. One thing to look for during/after the install is how the picture fits the screen - i.e. with the current digital lenses you can adjust for a perfect fit of the picture height and adjust your side masking to a near exact 1.85:1 and 2.39:1 format. Like everyone else I'm curious what brand equipment you got? also, is the screen flat or curved? quote: They try to convince you that it is but it's not and you're stuck with them for 10 years too!! RealD can be the quickest to return $$ on the investment - and by my calculations scales to multiple screens better (i.e. no matter how many 3D screens you have there are only a limited number of 3D releases to give you a ROI). Long term MasterImage and Dolby definitely look to be more profitable, depending on attendance. THERE IS NO REQUIRED 10 YEAR CONTRACT WITH REALD - yes, if you are a CBG member there may be a longer term than others have, but look at your initial expense vs that of a shorter term (and you are free to make your own shorter deal).  |  IP: Logged Tony Bandiera Jr Film God Posts: 3067 From: Moreland Idaho Registered: Apr 2004 posted 04-18-2009 12:48 AM                     quote: Andrew Bangs Well it is happening. We just got delivery of 1 brand new digital projector. While that is indeed good news and most likely a sound investment (unless you guys went with Sony) I can't resist adding this comment: For the price of that one D-Cinema screen you could have replaced 2-4 screens of the 35mm junk you have now. Edited to add: However, if I get one of the jobs I bid recently, you all may get to watch me eat crow as D-Cinema is one of the options for that venue.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 04-18-2009 11:46 AM                     quote: Mark Gulbrandsen I disagree with Steve... It could actually be just as much pain in the ass as the Horizon gear is... depending on what they bought you. There is a shocker! Hmmm...there are three possibilities of projector manufacturers in the USA (it isn't likely the others can be as low-cost) and all three have their fans and some who don't like...the Horizon has no fans that I'm aware of...every report on them are troublesome junk. I guess Rich likes em but there's always one guy in a crowd...probably likes them because they are Chinese junk. On the servers...You listed Dolby, Doremi, and Cube...odds are it is one of those and which server is doing worse than Horizon "equipment?" Tony...no need to "eat crow"...unless you like doing that sort of thing. There is no shame in putting in either digial or film. I do it all the time. Just do your best with whichever you are working with. Steve  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-18-2009 01:20 PM                     Steve... at least Christie having Ushio behind them certainly makes for a much more solid company. The other two companies... #1 Is the projector company thats just a corner on someone's desk, and they are doing more biz in another industry at the moment that they may actually allow them to stay in buisness. And #2 is the projector company that's wishy washy at best and seems to do its best to eventually piss off every customer it gets. There are several small foreign server companies out there trying to pry into the US market that if they only semi sucessful or don't at all could make for a very bad day. Or IMHO in the D-Cinema biz it may soon be that its best to stick to gear thats actually built in North America. Mark  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 04-18-2009 05:01 PM                     But back on point...it is rather likely that any DCinema gear that they get will be far more reliable than their Horizon gear...it would be near impossible to get worse.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-18-2009 07:17 PM                     Ok, I'll switch the "worse" part to "equally as bad"....  |  IP: Logged Andrew Bangs Expert Film Handler Posts: 148 From: Kerrville, Texas, United States Registered: Sep 2008 posted 04-19-2009 01:18 PM                        Ok well from what I can tell so far, because the boss want's it all kept in the box till they install, the base units are strong and the projectors appear to be DLP. we actually got two systems not one but we are only putting in one screen right now. Funny thing is we are off to a rocky start as the projectors were delivered but the screen was lost in shipping... How??? I don't know but we are hoping it shows up tomorrow (monday) for install. I was more interested in general knowledge questions that might apply to any Digital system. But I guess that could be allot of speculative info. So far these are the only details I have. The owner is sort of just signing the checks right now and not giving out any details or not asking himself which is why I am kind of digging for good questions to ask so we don't all look like a bunch of morons when this stuff is installed. Don't be afraid to put in the silly stuff like "ask where the power button is." God knows I love pointing out obvious stuff like that. So I can take it too. You never know you may surprise me with a basic question I didn't even think of before. You all may be pretty smart about this stuff and take allot for granted but I think their are a bunch of people around that are probably looking through this stuff hoping for some basic info. Hey it's a forum Just put it out there. P.S. Did I post this in straight to Video or did it get moved??? I probably misunderstood what this section was about. My Bad! I thought it was about movies that went straight to home video...  |  IP: Logged Demetris Thoupis Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1240 From: Aradippou, Larnaca, Cyprus Registered: Apr 2001 posted 04-19-2009 02:43 PM                     Well if the bases are Strong most probably you have the NEC line of projectors. Is there a chance you got the Starus Digital Cinema Server from Nec as well? I hope you get a Dolby Server. Do you have any indication you are putting any 3D System? Demetris  |  IP: Logged Andrew Bangs Expert Film Handler Posts: 148 From: Kerrville, Texas, United States Registered: Sep 2008 posted 04-19-2009 03:21 PM                        Yes I do believe the system will be 3D because we are hoping the Battle for terra will be our first Digital 3D show. I will get some more info tonight when I go in and will post back later.  |  IP: Logged

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