The Story of the Todd-AO Projector
Dedicated exclusively to the history of one of the most remarkable projectors of all time; the DP70.
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Read more at
in70mm.com
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Written
by: Thomas Hauerslev |
Date:
04.05.2013 |
Jan
Jacob Kotte with a prototype DP70. Philips Newspaper clip, 1956.
The birth of the DP70 projector dates back to October 1952 and the
beginning of the Todd-AO process.
Michael Todd, not satisfied with technical limitations of the
Cinerama process, he formed a company with some investors, including Rodgers
and Hammerstein II, Joe Schenk and George Skouras and named it MAGNA. The
purpose of Magna was to develop a new wide screen process.
Magna
Theatre Corporation commissioned American Optical company to
develop the system which was named Todd-AO.
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More
in 70mm reading:
DP70 - The Todd-AO Projector
DP70 Story
DP70 Cinemas everywhere
DP70 Serial Numbers
•
DP70 Cinefocus
•
Photo mask by Todd-AO
•
DP70 reverse scanner
•
RED-LED reverse
scanner
•
A new
film gate
Todd-AO
70mm Projectors
Internet link:
kinoton.de
Philips Museum
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The purpose
of the process was lined up like this:
"TODD-AO film, plus the TODD-AO camera, plus the TODD-AO "all-purpose"
projector, plus TODD-AO Orthosonic sound, and the great, arced TODD-AO
screen equal clarity of perspective, delineation, and color reproduction.
But, most important with TODD-AO, audience participation now has its fullest
expression."
For
Todd-AO a new projector was required.
Unable to make one in-house, American Optical Company asked several US projector companies to build a new
70mm projector. None of them, however, believed a completely new 70mm projector could
be ready in only 9 months as required.
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In September 1953 Magna Theatre Corporation approached
Philips Cinema, a division of Philips Electro Acoustics division (ELA) in
Eindhoven, Holland.
Dr. Brian O'Brien, AO heads of Research and Development knew a tremendous
number of people and he was well aware of Philips projectors and their reputation of
excellence.
Headed
by Philips Cinemas chief designer Mr.
Jan Jacob Kotte (Note 6)
Philips Electro Acoustics division (ELA) was asked to manufacture a multi
purpose projector suitable for all 70mm and 35mm formats. Kotte and Philips
knew it would be expensive, and Magna
Theatre Corporation had to buy 50 machines (For the 25 Todd-AO installations) in
the first order (Note 11). In 1953, Philips Cinema was also very busy making
new equipment for CinemaScope.
A list of some of the people working at
Philips ELA
William
(Bill) E Peck of American Optical Company and Jan J. Kotte, jointly designed and built the projector from ground up in only 9
months as required by Magna. It was a revolutionary
projector and so versatile it could show any film format except horizontal
double frame VistaVision.
The DP70: "...changeover from 35mm to 70mm will be accomplished by flicking
a switch and twist one or two dials. It will be unnecessary to interchange
film movements, gates etc" (Note 9). The final version, however, did require
change of gates, pressure bands etc. Jan Kotte worked day and night with his
colleagues and even went as far as installing a home-office with a large
drawing board. Completely unheard of in 1953/54.
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Favorite among projectionists
Possibly the most successfull component of the Todd-AO Process
Still used in many cinemas
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Prototypes
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Towards the end of 1954 the first set of three DP70 pre-production models
were delivered to Magna Theatre Corporation and pictures began to appear in
magazines.
By February 1955, "Oklahoma!" was expected to open in early May
1955. And by April 1955, the opening was expected to be on July 17, 1955.
They design was a little different from the following machines.
Interestingly, the mechanism door was mounted on the left side of the
mechanism (door opened right to left). The interior was not painted white,
but rather in the Philips Hammer tone Epoxy paint finish like the rest of
the machine.
Prototypes did not carry serial
numbers. Prototypes are here referred to as pre-production numbers X1, X2 etc.
Although not an original installation, the two DP70 prototypes are still being used at Todd-AO Stage #2 in Hollywood to
this day. More than 50 years after delivery from Philips in Holland!
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Where were projectors manufactured?
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All
projector mechanisms were made in Holland in series of 100 at a time. (Source "In the Splendour of 70mm", by Grant Lobban).
Other projector parts (lower base, upper base,
spool boxes, mounting table for lamp house) were also
made in the United States by American Optical Company and are clearly noted:
Made in Buffalo, New York.
In the US brochure dated S-61 (probably 1961) parts were made in Mount
Vernon, New York. Projector parts made in the USA carry a serial number on
the upper base with a production year and a production number. An example is
59-175. Later models only carry a 4-digit serial number.
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The DP70 is Heavy
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If
you consider having a DP70 installed in your living room you must check two
things first. What will your wife say, and will the floor hold? I cannot
answer for your wife, but here is the weight of a DP70: |
Part:
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Kg
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Lbs.
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Lower
base
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77,5
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170,9
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Upper
base
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118,0
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260,1
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Lower
spool box
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12,5
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27,6
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Mounting
table for lamp house
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38,5
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84,9
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Projector
mechanism
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106,0
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233,7
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Lens
slide and holder
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18,5
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40,8
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Compartment
door
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13,0
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28,7
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Magnetic
sound head
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16,5
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36,4
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Optical
sound head
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12,0
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26,5
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Motor
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10,0
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22,0
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Gear
(two speed clutch)
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10,0
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22,0
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Upper
spool box
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23,0
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50,7
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Total
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Kg
455,5
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Lbs.
1004,2
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Shipment
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The DP70
prototype at American Optical's ˝-scale cinema. Image by American Optical
In
the fall of 1955, 50 DP70 projectors were shipped from Holland to the United
States for the Michael Todd Company, Inc., just before the opening of
"Oklahoma!" on Broadway October 10, 1955. Those 50 machines were numbered from no 601 - 650 as the first
machines (Some projectors were
marked "Property of the Michael Todd Company, Inc").
By late 1955 the first 4
Todd-AO cinemas were:
1: Rivoli, New York, USA (13.10.1955) (4 machines)
2: Egyptian, Hollywood, USA (17.11.1955)
3: Los Angeles, Hollywood, USA (24.12.1955)
4: McVickers, Chicago, USA (26.12.1955)
Usually there were 2 machines in a projection room. A left and a right
projector (as seen from the rear of the machines toward the screen). But in
some cases 3 and 4 machines were needed. A 4-projector example is the Palais
de Festival in Cannes and Musee du Cinema in Paris, both in France. Today it
is not unusual to find a 1-projector installation. The DP70 also works with
platters (non-rewind/cake stands) and towers.
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Todd-AO outside the US
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Three
DP70 at French film museum. Image by Thomas Hauerslev
By the time of Photokina Exhibition (29.09.1956 to 07.10.1956) in Cologne,
Germany there were 21 Todd-AO cinemas in the US. Todd-AO installations in
the US were planned and carried out by The Todd-AO Corporation.
The speed of installing Todd-AO equipment in the US took of slower than
expected due to the lack of film in the Todd-AO process.
In 1957 there were 60 Todd-AO installations and Germany, Italy, Malta and
Japan were about to get Todd-AO.
By 1958, there were 10 DP70 installations in England and by January 1960 there were
34 cinemas (19 CMA and 15 ABC) in Great Britain with
the DP70.
The number of Todd-AO installations had risen to 86 in the US and Canada
alone by 1959.
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A pair of DP70 at Manchester Film Theatre, Manchester, England, 1969. Believed to be the last pair of DP70's to come out of Eindhoven in 1968. Image by Don Sykes
By August 1960 the DP70 was installed in 231 venues = 462+ machines (US and
rest of the world).
By OSCAR Night, in March 1963, there were 525 DP70 installations (= more
than 1050 machines) in 39 countries. Another source says that on 15.04.1963
there were 450 DP70 Todd-AO installations all over the globe.
Other 70mm projector manufactures were: Bauer, Cinemeccanica and Century.
By December 1964 more than 1100 cinemas worldwide had 70mm installed. Most
of them were with the DP70.
During the 1966 Photokina exhibition (in Cologne, Germany), Philips Cinema
presented the new DeLuxe Projector for 35/70mm, widely know as the DP75 and
manufacture of the popular DP70 had finally come to an end.
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Roll out of Todd-AO cinemas by date and country:
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The Price of a DP70
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The DP70 was a very expensive 70mm projector to install.
Thanks to Stefan Scholz, Craig Binnebose and hans Frahm it is now possible to add the original price of a complete machine.
The price of a complete Todd-AO installation at
the Savoy in Hamburg, Germany. The first purpose built Todd-AO cinema in
Europe.
Haus Savoy, Hamburg
1957
Haus Savoy,
Hamburg, Rechnung April 1957.pdf
Haus Savoy,
Hamburg, Rechnung December 1957.pdf
Thanks to Hans Frahm in Johannesburg, South Africa, the price of a DP70 in
1962 and 1964 has been found. The price is in the international currency of
1962: British Pound Sterling. The exchange rate (deemed by the Bank of England( ie. the British Government)) was 2.80 dollars to the pound. (Until 1964 when it had to be devalued!)
This one from Craig Binnebose:
The Cecil Theatre, Mason City, Iowa. Two DP70 cost USD $6225.00 each. August
10, 1966. Quotation No. 447 from Ballantyne of Omaha.
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Projector
part from
Hans Frahm in Johannesburg, South Africa
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1962
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1964
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EL4000/01
complete
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1140.00
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1560.00
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Film
spools 35mm
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5.00
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5.90
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Film
spools 70mm
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5.10
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6.10
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Set
spare parts
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11.70
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15.40
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130
A carbon Arc Lamps 18" mirror, Peerless rotating carbons, water cooled
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395.00
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480.00
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Rectifier
45-150 Amps
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335.00
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380.00
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85A
Arc lamp for 70-35mm
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200.00
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380.00
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Todd-AO
lenses 62mm
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94.00
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146.00
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Todd-AO
lenses 175mm
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54.00
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55.00
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Minifier
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31.50
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36.50
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The
name “DP70”
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Rene
Pfaff operating the DP70 at Kinopalćet in Copenhagen. Image by Jan Niebuhr
Philips originally named the new machine the EL4000/01 in their
catalouge, but it quickly
became the DP70. The DP is short for "Double Projector" and the "70" meant
it was designed specifically as a 70mm projector. With a handy storage case
with all necessary parts for 35mm film, change over from 70mm to 35mm could
be done in less than 4 minutes.
In the United States it simply became the "Todd-AO projector Catalogue 3070".
Later the name was changed to "Universal
70/35" and finally from 1963, it
became the "Norelco
AAII". AA was very likely short for “Academy Award”. II
meant “Version 2” because of the many new changes and improvements
introduced to this model after winning the OSCAR.
Philips Cinema and Jan Kotte nicknamed the projector the "Dollar Princess" because they made
a considerable amount of money developing it for Magna Theatre Corporation.
It is interesting to note that in the state of Victoria, Australia, it was
known as EL4000 and in the state of New South Wales, also Australia, it was
know as DP70.
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Cine
Aperagons - The Todd-AO projection lens
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The
Todd-AO projection lenses, known as Cine-Aperagons, were specially designed
by American Optical Company for each cinema (so the pres said) with aspherical surfaces on some of their elements.
Cine Aperagons were available in these basic focal lengths
2,6" = 66mm
3" = 76mm
3,5" = 89mm
4,1" = 104mm
5,6" = 142mm
6,6" = 168mm
More DP70 70mm projection lenses
They were very sturdy and heavy lenses. The pair used in Copenhagen almost "painted" an extremely sharp 70mm image on the curved 17 meter Todd-AO screen. Always in focus, great contrast and very bright images.
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The
Academy Award
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In
the early 1960s Philips Cinema was one of the worlds largest Cinema
Equipment supplier and Jan J. Kotte's projector quality was unrivalled. The DP70 was the crown jewel in a long line of Philips machines that include: FP4, FP5, FP56, FP20 and FP30.
How many 70mm projectors will allow one 70mm print 1600 passes? That was the
case in London and the Dominion Theatre's record breaking "South Pacific" 4-year run. One Todd-AO print was shown from 21.04.1958
until 30.09.1962 London.
The DP70 was truly a remarkable 70mm projector and on Monday April 8, 1963
Fred J Pfeiff, technical manager of the motion picture equipment department
of Norelco (North American Philips), received the 1962 Class 2 Oscar plaque
for on behalf of the Philips company:
"The design and engineering of the Norelco Universal 70/35mm motion picture
projector".
It was furthermore stated by the Awards Committee that:
“it´s unique design provides for rapid conversion to either 70mm or 35mm
projection and for operation with significantly reduced film wear and
damage”.
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Kotte's OSCAR photographed in 1998 by Thomas Hauerslev
Actually there were two OSCARS made. The original OSCAR was was awarded to the Philips Company and brought back to Europe by Mr. Nijsen, who was head of Philips Cinema's publication department. The Philips company ordered a second OSCAR for Mr. Jan Kotte personally in appreciation of his dedication to Philips.
The 1962 Award (given in 1963) was the first ever given to a projector in the
Academy's history. In 1999 the IMAX projector, with the unique Rolling Loop
principle, was also awarded a similar award.
At that time (OSCAR Night) there were 525 DP70 installations (= more than
1050 machines) in 39 countries. The OSCAR was well deserved. The DP70 was
and still is the
"Rolls Royce" of 70mm projectors. Later that same year Philips Cinema
received the largest one-time order for the DP70: 100 projectors to one
projector company in the United States. A few days later another order for
50 projectors came (Note 11).
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DP70
Features
Checklist from the late fifties
of many outstanding features of the DP70
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Fully compatible
with, and quickly convertible for 70mm or 65mm film with up to six magnetic
sound tracks, 35mm CinemaScope with four magnetic or single optical sound
tracks, and Perspecta-sound, Wide Screen film of any aspect ratio with
either magnetic or optical sound and standard 35mm film.
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Scientifically compounded curve of light gate - prevents film buckle.
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Single blade double speed conical shutter, providing highest light
transmission of any projector. Leading and trailing edges have integral air
scoops that aid in dissipating heat.
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Rollers, drums, sprockets and film gate made from non- magnetic materials -
eliminates possibility of magnetic soundtrack damage and necessity for
frequent degaussing. Dual sprockets on all shafts machined of hardened
aluminium alloy. No sprocket change required when changing from 70mm to 35mm
or visa versa. (Less than 4 minutes required.)
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Two independent motors on each projector, 24 and 30 fps- all past, present
or contemplated 70mm films can be projected without additional expense or
modification.
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Combined ten-track magnetic clusters, no tricky threading required when
changing from six- to four track reproduction.
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Triple filtered metered lubrication system.
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Substantially constructed for rock steady projection.
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All modern, domestic high-power arc lamps adaptable without loss of
efficiency.
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Lathe bed lens carriage, positive alignment of lens to film path.
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Factory installed internal wiring, reduces installation costs.
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Adjustable for all projection angles - from 28 degrees downward to the
upward angles required in drive-ins.
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Complete stock of replacement parts always available.
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Fully Underwriters' Laboratories Approved.
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Norelco
AAII Features
Here are all new features to the
NORELCO AA11 model launched in the US during 1963
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Oak
boxes for 35mm gates. Image by Royce Goldsmith
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Dual split 70/35
magazine shafts. Standard 5" hub 35mm reels useable. No longer necessary for
theatre to purchase special 35mm reels with 70mm flanges.
•
New non-glare Plexiglas observation window in projector door.
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New threading guards on magnetic shield and idle roller.
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New improved intermittent assembly.
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New oil vapour leak protection.
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New dowser assembly.
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Simplified built-in water cooling circuit.
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Heavier main drive gear set.
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New single motor drive.
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New 2-speed clutch for both 30 Frames/sec & 24 Frames/Sec film speed with
double "V" belt drive.
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New reduced torque motor.
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New 4-pole motor start contactor.
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Optional optical pre-amplifier.
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New easy installation lower compartment door.
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New cast aluminium lamp house bracket with adjustable slide for easy
alignment of lamp. Provides means for moving lamp without necessity for
realignment. Eliminates need for purchase of special adapter previously
required for lamps.
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New spiral gear take-up drive.
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New graphite impregnated nylon idler & pad rollers.
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New pre-wired magnetic cluster block.
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Automation of a DP70 or Disposal
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Lens
turrent in Austria
The
DP70 is not made for automation, remote control and multiplex operation. So
with increasing demand for cost saving, theater managers started to break up
cinemas into several screens and cut down on projection staff. There was a
need for cinemas to be automated.
In the late sixties Rank Film Ltd. in
England became distributor of Cinemeccanica's projectors. DP70s were removed
in more than 20 ODEON cinemas and replaced by the popular Italian
Cinemeccanica Victoria 8 70mm projector. The
Cinemeccanica Victoria 8 can be fully remote
controlled.
A VERY expensive action by Rank facing the
increasing competition. Some of these DP70s went to the United States, but
most of them was scrapped only after a few years of service. Much to the
frustration of many projectionists and DP70 devotees. There are reports that
many ODEON DP70s were literally scrapped with a large hammer [Source: Dion
Hanson]. The reason for
this is unknown.
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Cannibalized
#681 in Hollywood. Image by Thomas Hauerslev
A
similar thing happened in Australia when Hoyt's theatres, a large cinema
chain, automated all their cinemas. Those DP70 not needed were given away to
those who were interested. The rest were thrown away into the Tasmanian Sea
or even used as boat anchors in Sydney harbor! *). There is no evidence of this statement. But as theatres were closing in
the 60s and 70s a lot of theatre owners had the problem of disposing of
equipment that had no resale value, and the DP70 had not reached the cult
following that it now has, so many were simply thrown out.
*) I have an idea where the story about equipment being dumped in the sea developed, but as far as I know, any stuff that Hoyts scrapped went off to a second-hand metal dealer or a conventional rubbish dump. I have heard the "dumped in Port Phillip Bay" story in relation to the Cinerama equipment, too, but most of it has been accounted for. Best wishes, Eric White, 29.09.2003
It is interesting to note that Hoyt's in Australia did not buy another
Philips projector for about 10 years after DP70 production ceased.
During this time they bought Cinemeccanica Victoria
8s. In 1976 Hoyt's again began to buy Philips machines mostly FP20s but some
DP75s for new locations.
From South Africa
there are reports of an actual burial of a DP70!
Back in England, the ABC cinema group also replaced some DP70s with the
brand new DP75. Most DP75 installations were set up for the 70mm
presentations of “Doctor Zhivago” (in 1966). Many DP75 installations were
new 70mm installations. Some ex-ABC DP70s went to the United States. In the
early 1990s some DP70s were still maintained by Steven Krams and his company
in Florida and he had at least 20 machines in stock.
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DP70 Clones
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The DP70 also
inspired at least three different
70mm machines, which have striking similarities
with the DP70. The Toshiba Photo Phone Co., Ltd. in Japan
introduced their TP 70/35 Imperial projector (Motion Picture Almanac 1972
page 64A). Spool boxes, lower- and upper bases were more or less identical
to the DP70.
Another interesting DP70 "look-a-like" projector was the Russian KTT15-A. This projector does not look like a DP70 at all on the outside. Inside, however, some striking
similarities were apparent. The lens mount bracket, 70mm film gate and the
shutter were a very close variation of the DP70.
Theres also the Incol 70-35 from Brazil
where the film gate have some similarities with the DP70.
70mm Film Projectors
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DP70 Still With Us - New use of old machines
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In
recent years, the price for a DP70 has somewhat dropped.
Many DP70 projectors have found a safe home in the hands of DP70 devotees
who restore them to original glory. Some people even strip them and have
them completely repainted in the original Phillips Hammer tone Epoxy paint.
However hard it may seem, 70mm projection and 6-track stereo in a private
theatre in the basement is not uncommon.
By the mid 1990s, used
DP70 projectors were sold at very high prices. 10.000 dollars was not an
unlikely price for a projector fully reconditioned and in perfect working
order. Worn and badly maintained projectors are much cheaper of course
It is not only film collectors and projectionists who appreciate the DP70.
Many prestigious cinemas, laboratories and film studios like Technicolor Ltd., 20th
Century Fox, Warner Brothers and Paramount Pictures in Hollywood have
several DP70s in the their screening cinemas. Todd-AO in Hollywood have 6
projectors and Paramount Pictures at 5555 Melrose in Hollywood runs at least
5 machines.
Film museums in Amsterdam, Oslo, Stockholm, Paris, Bradford, and Hollywood, also install the DP70. And with good reason, as the DP70 remains to be the "Rolls Royce" of
70mm projectors.
A large number of DP70s are still running today, nearly 60
years after the first one came of the assembly line in Eindhoven, Holland. A
well kept DP70 will (probably) never fail in operation.
The DP70 is a beautiful projector, outstanding craftsmanship and a piece of
contemporary art from the 1950s.
"I think DP70s are a sight to behold in their own right and were the most visionary piece of engineering imaginable". Trevor Wilson, 10.04.2006
By 2012 and onwards, digital projectors are finding their way into projection rooms across the world,
and many machines are simply given away, cannibalized or thrown away.
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Electro-Acoustics Division (ELA)
Philips
Cinema
Department
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Name |
Responsibility/Work Area |
Notes |
P
M van Alphen
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Went
to American Optical Company
|
Dr.
J de Boer
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ELA
Technical Director
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C
van Dijk
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Cinema
Assembly Department
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Piet
Fila
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Co-design
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H
L A Gimberg
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Commercial
Manager Cinema Department
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Working
under Mr. H Opdenberg
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H
Goumans
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J
Hallmann
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Co-design
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P
Hinse
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Chief
ELA, Design Department
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Mr.
Kottes Chief
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G
Hooghienstra
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International
sales representative
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Commercial
Liasion ELA with USA
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E
Hovenkamp
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Cinema
Assembly Department
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W
J M Jansen
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Commercial
Department Technical Chief
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Working
under H L A Gimberg
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P
V d Kerkhof
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Maltese
cross
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|
Cas
Kessler
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Sales
representative Holland area
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ELA
from 1960
|
Jan
Jacob Kotte
|
Chief
designer of DP70 and all other Philips projectors
|
1908
- 1988
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B
Kuppens
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Drawings
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|
H
de Laat
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Chief
maltese cross production and checking. Coordinated the works
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|
C
G Nijsen
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General
Advertising Manager, ELA Department
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Also
editor of ELAgraph. Left
ELA 1968.
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H
Opdenberg
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ELA
Commercial director
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Mr.
Nijsens Chief
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A
G Overmars
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Projector
assembly department
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|
Fred
J Pfeiff
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Technical
Manager of the Motion Picture Equipment Division of Norelco
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B
Postema
|
Chief
Controller of DP70 Run-In
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|
C
v d Putten
|
Assembling
Department
|
|
W
van Riet
|
Co-design
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|
F
J Rijke
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Co-design
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J
Sliepenbeek
|
Chief
of Machine Shop
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|
H
v d Ven
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|
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Arie
Vernes
|
President
of Norelco, USA
|
Sales
company for A.O. projectors in the US.
|
Constance
Willems
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Magnetic
sound head
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Typical
DP70 installation. Image by Philips.Commercially
responsible for cinema
activities were:
*
H. Opdenberg, Commercial Director
* H. A. H. M. Nillesen, Commercial Director Cinema Department (later
succeeded by H. L. A. Gimberg.)
* W. Jansen, Technical-Commercial liason officer
* C. G. Nijsen, Sales Promotion & Advertising Manager
* G. Hooghiemstra, Sales Representative USA area
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Technically
responsible for cinema activities were:
*
Dr. J. de Boer, Technical Director (successor to H. Wildeboer)
* P. Hinse, Manager Cinema Design Department
* Jan J. Kotte, Chief Designer
* P. Hoekstra, Designer Special Projects
* A. A. Overmars, Manager Projector Assembly Department
The
latter people also communicated with parts manufacture such as Philips
Machine and Metalware factories.
Personnel
beyond the above mentioned organisations and engaged in DP70 activities were
J. Sliepenbeek, F. Rijke, H. de Laart, and others involved in the rushed
DP70 planning.
Norelco USA
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DP70 Documentation
A selection of recommended
reading about the DP70
|
|
Date |
Magazine |
Title |
15.10.1955 |
La
Cinematographe Francaise |
Le
Projecteur PHILIPS Todd-AO 70mm et 35mm |
xx.xx.1955 |
Filmoperatřren
(Danish) |
Et
nyt filmprojektionssystem |
xx.xx.1955 |
Projectionisten
No 2 1955 (MPH 05.02.1955) |
Todd-AO
projektoren for 70-35 mm:s film |
xx.09.1955 |
Sweden |
Todd-AO,
ett nytt projektionssystem |
xx.02.1955 |
International
Projectionist |
The
Todd-AO projector for both 70- and 35mm film |
xx.10.1955 |
International
Projectionist |
The
Todd-AO system: A projector for both 70- and 35mm film |
xx.10.1955 |
PHILIPS
kinotechnik Heft 13 |
Der
Projector DP70 |
xx.04.1956
|
Philips
Technical Review (J. J. Kotte)
|
A
Cinema projector for 70mm and 35mm films
|
xx.xx.1956
|
German
|
Rückblick
auf die Photokina 1956
|
xx.11.1956
|
Biograf-Bladet
(Danish)
|
Photokina
1956
|
xx.xx.1956
|
Sweden
|
Todd-AO
systemet
|
xx.10.1956
|
Der
Filmvorführer
|
Breitfilm
und breitbild
|
15.12.1956
|
The
Todd-AO Corporation
|
The
Todd-AO projector
|
xx.xx.195x
|
British
Kinematograph Data Sheet #60
|
The
Philips 35mm/70mm projection equipment
|
xx.03.1957
|
British
Kinematograph (W.J.M. Jansen)
|
Philips
equipment for picture projection and sound reproduction of Todd-AO 70mm
film
|
xx.xx.1958
|
Filmoperatřren
(Danish)
|
Visit
to Philips ELA Eindhoven 1958
|
xx.03.1963
|
Kino-Technik
|
Impulslampe
für 70mm-Projection
|
15.04.1963
|
Film
Daily
|
Technical
Award
|
19.08.1965
|
North
American Philips
|
AAII
spareparts recommended for theatres
|
|
|
|
|
|
The DP70 Cinemas
|
|
The
group of cinemas equipped with the DP70 is very long and impressive. Many of
the words most prestigious cinemas had the Rolls-Royce of 70mm projectors
installed.
Originally Philips Cinema kept very detailed lists of all cinemas with the
DP70. The Philips company advertised the machine heavily in all major
markets.
The following lists are the backbone of this DP70 directory:
International Projectionist, December 1959.
The ELAgraph vol. 6 no 5 from
November 1960 (110 cinemas in the States and 130 cinemas outside the
States): Installations indicated with “*”.
Norelco, the North American Philips Company, issued a
list dated
January 16, 1964: Installations indicated with “»”.
Installations not mentioned in above mentioned official brochures or lists have no marking.
Additionally, where available,
I have noted
how many projectors each cinema had, as well as information about screen
size, number of seats, technical equipment, Cinerama & Cinemiracle and information
about speakers, sound formats
etc. For many cinemas the number of seats reflects how many seats the cinema
had on the day of DP70 installation.
Seating capacity information of early US cinemas is based on Motion Picture
Almanac 1961 and Variety.
|
|
See all the DP70s in.....1073 installations
|
|
|
|
|
Abbreviations |
l
|
=
|
Left machine
|
c
|
=
|
Centre machine
|
r |
=
|
Right machine
|
s |
=
|
Single machine
|
# |
=
|
Screen, cinema & studio number
|
p |
=
|
Private DP70 (Machine installed at home)
|
P |
=
|
Present (Cinema is open)
|
T |
=
|
Temporarily installation
|
C |
=
|
Used for parts, cannibalised, scrapped or dumped
|
*
|
=
|
DP70 brochure dated August 1960
|
» |
=
|
NORELCO AA11 list dated 16.01.1964 |
|
|
Which is the longest running DP70?
|
|
Most of the original cinemas does not exist any longer. They have either
been rebuilt or demolished. If they still exists, it is unusual to find
the DP70s still installed.
In one case, however, that is possible. The
Imperial Bio in Copenhagen, Denmark,
had a pair (1644 and 1640) running until December 2011, when #1640 was
scrapped on the spot to
make room for a 4K digital projector. They had been running continuously since 1 November 1961.
Surely a world record - 50 years of service.
|
|
The DP70 Serial Numbers
How many DP70 were made?
|
|
The
DP70/Norelco AAII mechanism number plate looks like this:
How many DP70s were made? That is a question which I have been trying to
answer for many years. It appears that there is no final record of the
exact number of machines. I will never find out. Out of curiosity and to get
an idea of the range of numbers I started to list serial numbers, cinema,
city and country of each known machine. The list of machines
which been located by friends and myself since 1982. Although every effort has been done to keep the list
up-to-date, you must be prepared to find out that some machines have been
removed.
The machines have been located at one point since 1982 and may
not be installed any longer. The list does not always reflect where the
machines are today. Some projectors have been moved or scrapped since the
date of recording.
|
|
This
in not the DP70 serial number plate. It is the
American Optical Company upper base plate. This number plate is only seen on the
DP70 base in the United States.
Plates like this have the following number ranges: 59-- _ _ _.
1 _ _ and
6 _ _ _
During this process I've come across some cases of double inventory. Even
Philips made mistakes. There are two copies of the oak wood box for the
spares and at least two #2171 out there. It could misreading of the plates.
DP70 numbers: 0600 - 2729
It is unknown how many DP70 projectors Philips Cinema
manufactured from 1955 until the end, around 1966. Philips Lighting has been
very helpful, but alas, have been unable to find the records. I doubt
records like that exist
today.
|
28. August 2001
Dear Mr. Hauerslev
Unfortunately I cannot give you any information about the production
figures of the DP 70. You would have to turn to Philips Eindhoven in the
Netherlands. The only thing I can tell you is a number of 1500 DP 70
projectors which we sold in the period from 1955 until 1968. I hope this
will help you a little bit.
Best regards
Renate Zoller
Kinoton, Germany |
Parts
for the machines in the US were made here at this factory. Image by Philips
The list of numbers starts off at #601 and ends with #2532 and then jumps to
a final stop at #2729. There are no numbers above 999 and below 1300 (with
one single exception: #1014).
Kinoton in Germany, the distributor of spare parts for the DP70, have estimated the number of machines to be around 1500
units.
|
|
|
Abbreviations |
l
|
=
|
Left machine
|
c
|
=
|
Centre machine
|
r |
=
|
Right machine
|
s |
=
|
Single machine
|
# |
=
|
Screen, cinema & studio number
|
p |
=
|
Private DP70 (Machine installed at home)
|
P |
=
|
Present (Cinema is open)
|
T |
=
|
Temporarily installation
|
C |
=
|
Used for parts, cannibalised, scrapped or dumped
|
*
|
=
|
DP70 brochure dated August 1960
|
» |
=
|
NORELCO AA11 list dated 16.01.1964 |
|
The serial numbers - where are they? (592)
|
|
|
|
Modernizing the DP70
|
|
DP70
with internal DTS reader. Image by Mark Gulbrandsen
From the beginning more than 50
years ago, the DP70 has been considered one of the best projectors ever
made. Despite that, Philips continued to improve the machine until
production ended around 1966. Since then, and especially in the 1990s,
the DP70 is still being upgraded, by Kinoton and other private enterprises.
This page will show some examples.
DP70 RED-LED reverse
scanner
|
From: kinoton - Renate Zoller
Sent: 28 August 2001 11:57
Dear Mr. Hauerslev
Many thanks for your information about your interesting web site and special
thanks for establishing a link to our web site
kinoton.com.
Regarding spare parts for the DP70 fortunately we cannot confirm your
statement. It is true that not all service parts for the DP70 can be supplied, but most of them are still produced and supplied.
Best regards,
Renate Zoller
Kinoton, Germany
|
A reverse scan modification is available from Claco Equipment and
Services (USA). It is based on the original soundhead/ stabilizer and is the only
reverse scan modification that allows use of the no-contact sound drum as
designed by Phillips. It also allows the use of DP70 machines with the Cyan
Dye soundtracks.
The GST LED reverse scan/Jax Light combination allows another full octave of
high frequency through to the processor extending hf response to 16kHz with
little or no slit loss compensation at all. This upgrade, as well as
Kinoton's Dolby Digital upgrade makes it very difficult to tell if you are listening
to analog SR or digital in many cases. See
DP70 RED-LED reverse scanner
|
CLACO upgrades
DP70 RED-LED reverse scanner |
DP70
with reverse scan head. By internal DTS reader. Image by Gerard Bierling
I did this reverse scan for the DP70 and can tell you that this photo was taken during the first test in Bioscoop Catharijne in Utrecht which was a success and I made another 4.
Gerard Bierling's
DP70 reverse scanner
|
|
870 Special Venue
|
|
Projector
no. 1754 converted to the 870 format by Ciné Matériél
in Paris, France. Note missing magnetic cluster and enlarged
sprocket. Picture by Francois CARRIN.
There are at least two examples of DP70's which have been converted to the
870 format. One 870 DP70 projector was offered at a price of USD 9995.00
dollars from Vistascope Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia, USA and another (SN:
1754) from Ciné Matériél in Paris.
|
|
Lens Turrent
|
|
Some
machines in Austria have been equipped with lens turrents
DP70s in Austria
|
|
The Align-O-Tron
|
|
How to align your lamp house with the Align-O-Tron.
See Greg
Müller's page
|
|
DP70 special digital reader bracket
|
|
DP70
special reader bracket for mounting digital sound heads. Seen here are the
DTS and Dolby readers.
|
|
Cinefocus (no longer available)
|
|
The
Century Cinefocus system applied just slightly positive air pressure to the
film from an outboard blower to keep it from rapidly fluttering when the
heat from large arc lamps would hit the film.
Obsolete
technology. See
more
|
|
Photo mask by Todd-AO
To boost the high end output to 0dB at 12.5K and -1dB
at 16K. (No longer available)
|
|
Newly developed photographic slit masks for the DP70 optical sound head
enable the DP70 to faithfully reproduce audio up to 12.5 kHz at 0dB with
little slit loss compensation added in the pre-amplifier stage. This is
equivalent to a half-mil slit or less in a forward scan sound head.
The original brass
slits were expensive to manufacture; it was difficult to obtain clean and
straight edges on the sides of the slit, so they were limited in their
high-frequency output. Not only do the new photo slits capture the high-end
frequencies of modern stereo optical sound tracks, they are inexpensive and
easy to install.
Photo mask by Todd-AO to
boost the high end output to 0dB at 12.5K and -1dB at 16K.
|
|
A new film gate for the DP70 projector
|
|
Rosbeek
Techniek in Holland have made a new 35mm film gate for
the DP70. This will also be available for 70mm. It is
made of black Delrin. The old one is a little flat at the gate because the
film should run as flat as possible through the gate. The lenses back than
were not so good as the lenses these days to perform under a little
difficult situation what the flat part of the film gate is because the film
can hardly run flat over a most bended film gate.
A new film gate for the DP70
projector
|
|
DP70 Notes
|
|
Note |
Source |
Date |
1 |
LIFE
magazine |
|
2 |
Earl
Sponable |
19.01.1954 |
3 |
American
Cinematographer |
July
1954 |
4 |
Nine
lives of Mike Todd |
1958 |
5 |
Independent
Film Journal |
15.10.1955 |
6 |
Showmen's
Trade Review |
15.10.1955 |
7 |
Thomas M Pryor |
27.06.1954 |
8
|
Southbridge News
|
October 1985
|
9
|
American
Cinematographer page 529
|
October 1954
|
10
|
Current Biography
|
1955
|
11
|
In the splendour of
70mm by Grant Lobban
|
1986 & 1987
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Go: back
- top - news index
Updated
21-12-18 |
|