35mm Cinema Film Projector teardown

[tesla500]

I know this isn't totally (or even mostly) electronics, but I think you'll find this one interesting. Here's a teardown of a 35mm film projector that I got from a local cinema after they converted to digital projectors.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Super cool  - my favorite kind of tech - originally very expensive but now completely obsolete!
Do you have the Dolby digital decoder ? That would be interesting to see inside.

[tesla500]

Super cool  - my favorite kind of tech - originally very expensive but now completely obsolete!
Do you have the Dolby digital decoder ? That would be interesting to see inside.

Thanks Mike! I love this kind of stuff too.

Unfortunately the Dolby digital decoders are still being used (as analog preamps for the main theater amps), I'd love to get one though. I'm eager to see how they do this rather intensive decoding job using 90s tech. Probably some high end (for the time) FPGAs. Gotta start checking ebay...

David

[BravoV]

Thank you, really cool and thats is really an impressive machine, and its quite an effort just to drag it home, kudos to you & team.

PS : Actually you've inspired me, I might approach our local cinema, who knows I could get one cheaply. 

[DrGeoff]

Great set of videos. Very interesting to see the internals of those big old projectors.
So what's next? Teardown of the digital projector ?

[mikeselectricstuff]

Great set of videos. Very interesting to see the internals of those big old projectors.
So what's next? Teardown of the digital projector ?

Might have to wait a while for that one - any chance of a quick video tour of the projection room to at least see the outside of all the gear??

Meanwhile here's a teardown of a not-quite-cinema sized projector :

[tesla500]

Update: Ballast and Synchronous motor teardowns posted, check the first post.

Edit: Looks like I've also got a Dolby Digital decoder for teardown too! One of the other theaters in the chain my friend works at is throwing some out.