Technicolor Film Services

MINUTES OF A MEETING TO DISCUSS THE INTRODUCTION OF CYAN DYE ANALOGUE SOUNDTRACKS 6 July 2000

Present:
Andrew Wales (minutes), Technicolor
Mike Howell, Technicolor
Dave Rogers, Technicolor
Ashley Hopkins, Technicolor
Ray Perry, BVI
Steve Southgate, Warner Bros.
Richard Hühndorf, Warner Bros.
Tim Everett, Warner Bros.
Graham Edmondson, Dolby
Nick Watson, Dolby
Clive Ogden, Kodak

Overview:
The purpose of the discussion was to canvas opinion on the introduction of cyan dye analogue soundtracks and the possible problems their introduction will bring.

The meeting started with introductions by Mike Howell followed by a presentation of the three different sound formats. The demonstration took the form of two Chicken Impossible trailer prints containing normal, high-magenta, and cyan dye soundtracks. Projected together and switching between the projectors, it was possible compare each soundtrack version against the other two. The demonstration proved that the sound quality of the cyan dye soundtrack and the 'spitty' nature of normal soundtracks when played on red readers.

Following the demonstration, the meeting moved to Conference Room 2.

1. Sources of information
   It was felt that the major push towards cyan dye tracks should come from the distributors. As the distributors have the biggest connection to the cinemas, they are in a better position to inform and educate the cinema managers and projectionists. To do this properly however, it was decided to look into producing two promo prints, one high-magenta and one cyan dye, to pass onto the cinema's showing the new track formats. Graham Edmondson, Ray Perry, and Steve Southgate to decide on the content of the promo, Kodak would supply the film stock and Technicolor the printing and processing. It was estimated that there are probably around 800-1000 sites within the UK who would need the tests.
2. Current cinema inventory
   Before any move could be made to cyan dye soundtracks, a survey of the type of sound readers in cinemas would need to be made. The smaller independent cinemas are the ones who are more likely to still show using analogue sound but they are also the ones least likely to be able to afford the upgrades required. Using data from the Warner Bros. sales database supplied by Richard Hühndorf, Clive Ogden to arrange a survey of cinemas inventory. It is estimated that there are around 23,000 red readers currently in America, with around 55,000 in use worldwide. Information from the minutes of the American Dye tracks committee meeting held on 3rd of June indicates that there are four ways of upgrading to a red reader. In order of decreasing cost they are: reverse scan readers, USL Jaxlight, laser or a red filter in front of the exciter lamp.
3. With the widespread introduction of red readers, concerns were raised over the quality of sound from old subjects such as those shown in specialist cinemas. These are likely to be on black and white print stock and show similar problems to current soundtracks when played on a red reader. Although using the more advanced 'reverse scanning' reader would be an improvement over a forward scanning red reader, the drop in sound quality may be unacceptable. It is also likely that the sound quality of older subjects, especially variable density tracks, would be lower than modern tracks.
4. There are three industry associations, The Cinema Exhibition Association (C.E.A.), The Society of Film Distributors (S.F.D.), and The European Technical Committee (E.T.C.) who would benefit from any information this committee could give.
5. Ray Perry indicated that following a worlwide laboratory survey co-ordinated by his American colleagues, BVI would move to high-magenta printing in January 2001. For Technicolor, this would mean that two of their three biggest customers would be using high-magenta prints.
6. Next Meeting: Provisionally planned for early October. Representatives from Columbia, U.I.P., The C.E.A., Agfa, a sales contact, and possibly Deluxe would be invited to attend. Date to be arranged by Andrew Wales.