International projectionist (Jan 1963-June 1965)

ALLIED DISPLAY — The Bristol Beacons display at the Allied convention and conclave in Detroit shows. (L-R) H. J. Ringold, president, Ringold Theatre Equipment Co.; F. M. Meyers, president, Bristol Electronics, Inc., and Jack Armstrong, president o£ Allied. The Bristol Beacons manufactured by Bristol Electronics, are self contained, portable, flashing Neon signs designed for highway approaches and drive-in theatres. Battery life is approximately 700 hours and with batteries weighs only 12 lbs. The signs are available in 12x24 and 18x24 in. The legends available for the drive-in operation are depicted in the photograph and other legends subjects to the requirements of the drive-in operator. The BRISTOL BEACONS are waterproof and weatherproof and are available for "horse mount" and "stanchion mount" and will rest on all flat surfaces. The patented circuitry and neon tubing are guaranteed for five years, except for breakage of tubing. 7. GATE TENSION Replace worn tension bands of curved-gate mechanisms. Remove the gate doors of straight-gate mechanisms and check the film rails for flatness with a steel straightedge and a flashlight. Replace uneven rails and tension pads. Adjust tension of the pads for average film — less tension if the film pulls hard through the gate, more if the picture jumps on the screen by "overshooting." Pads on each side should exert equal pressure. 8. LATERAL GUIDE ROLLERS Check guide-roller flanges at top of each film gate for ease of turning and condition of the flanges. They should have flat, unscored film-contacting surfaces. Replace scratched or damaged flanges. See that the ten sion is just sufficient to press the laterally movable flange against the edge of the film rather lightly. Excessive tension of the coil spring may "pinch" the film as it enters the gate and cause sidesway. 9. INTERMITTENT UNIT An intermittent movement should run quietly when the gate door or tension shoe is open. Make absolutely certain that there is no backlash in the sprocket when in the "locked" position. Neither should the movement, when turned by hand, feel tight. If an intermittent runs tight, it will wear out the starwheel and may "freeze" during a show. If it is too loose or runs noisily, the picture may jump. If the starwheel or sprocket are worn or the shaft bent, the picture will "dance" or jiggle INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST 1645 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis 34, Minnesota Enter my subscription for Name Address City D 1 year (12) issues— $3.00 □ 2 years (24) issues — $5.00 FOREIGN: Add $1.00 per year Zone State 12 rapidly. If the movement leaks oil it will soil the machine, interfere with sound reproduction if the oil leaks into the soundhead, and also soil the film. In the event of any of these things, the movement must be overhauled according to the manufacturer's instructions. Worn starwheels and damaged cams must be replaced ; but since this job is critical and time-consuming, and requires that the refurbished movement be "run in" for at least 24 hours, the projectionist should obtain spare movements from the supply house and send the defective ones to the repair shop. Be sure that the intermittent cover screws are tight. Never loosen the cover screws unless the movement is out of the projector for adjustment! Correct end-play of the sprocket-and-star shaft. See that the intermittentsprocket shoes have enough tension to hold the film firmly on the face of the sprockets, and that they are aligned laterally so as not to scrape the sides of the teeth. 10. SHUTTER TIMING Turn the projector over by hand very slowly; and when 2 teeth of the intermittent sprocket have passed a fixed reference point from the "atrest" position, set the shutter so that the blade is midway in its covering of the aperture. Fine shutter adjustment may be made during a projection test with the shutter knob to remove "flare" or slight traces of travel ghost on the tops or bottoms of bright objects in the pictures. Travel ghosts on both the tops and bottoms of bright objects simultaneously indicate shutter blades that are too narrow or excessive backlash in the shutter gear train. Widen the shutter blades enough to get rid of the ghosts. 11. SOUNDHEADS Check the tension pads of oldstyle sound gates for wear and pressure. The pressure rollers of rotarystabilizer soundheads should exert just enough pressure to bring the scanning drum up to speed within 3 or 4 seconds from the time the projector is switched on. Not enough pressure will result in fluttery sound for several seconds after each changeover: too much pressure will cause continual flutter and "wows." Since the pressure roller also guides the film laterally, the lateral adjustment should not be disturbed if neither perforation noise ("motorboating" ) or clattering frameline noise is heard in the sound. Otherwise a chopper and buzz-track test International Projectionist January. 1965