Cinema Digital Sound | Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter |
| Written by: Eastman Kodak Company, 1990. Cinema Digital Sound is a trademark of Optical Radiation Corporation. 3/90. H-62s | Date: 01.01.2012 |
Now Hear This! | |
 First they moved. Then they talked. Then came
alive with color. Now the ultimate sound experience comes to the
movies. Introducing Cinema Digital Sound System. The Boxoffice
sensation of the 90s. Available in 35mm and 70mm.Eastman Kodak Company has joined forces with Optical Radiation Corporation to offer the movie-going public a dramatic advance in motion picture sound quality. It's called Cinema Digital Sound, and it brings the sonic impact of today's digital technology to the 70mm movie theater. Optical Radiation Corporation and Kodak have adapted proven digital recording and playback technology to develop Cinema Digital Sound. It will optically encode digital sound on a sound negative and decode the soundtrack through a modified theater projector. Working hand in hand with Optical Radiation Corporation, Kodak created a new sound negative film that allows movie-makers to take full advantage of the new technology. |
More in 70mm reading: Films presented in 70mm and 35mm Cinema Digital Sound Cinema Digital Sound Theatres Internet link: |
Movie Audiences Want Digital-Quality Sound Performance | |
 Speaker
layout of CDS.The public expects audio that is virtually distortion-free and music with enormous dynamic range played against a backdrop of total silence. They can enjoy it on CD's in their homes, and they want it when they go to the movies. Audio compression/expansion methods currently in use can significantly reduce background noise on movie soundtracks. But to reduce distortion nearly to the vanishing point and expand the frequency range at both the low and high end, you need digital capabilities. With five discrete full-bandwidth channels, a sub woofer channel for bass sounds you can feel as well as hear, Cinema Digital Sound offers those capabilities plus much more, including truly fantastic surround sound. In addition, a MIDI control channel and a SMPTE time code offer new levels of automation and coding. Sounds can come from every direction to create a new level of realism. Cinema Digital Sound will enhance the "in theater" experience, and, like other major movie technical advances, it can put more people in theater seats. | |
Control Channels Create Special Effects | |
 Film producers and
sound recording artists are sure to make creative use of the six audio
channels to create dramatic special effects with Cinema Digital Sound.
For theater owners, the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
control channel permits a new level of automation. It can do
everything from simply opening the curtain to controlling the lights and
automatically setting the proper sound levels within the theater. It
could even control a complex laser show. The SMPTE time code can perform
similar functions as the MIDI plus it can be used to identify damaged
areas within a print. Once identified, laboratories can print new
sections to replace those damaged sections.Cinema Digital Sound doesn't disrupt any of the standard industry processes and is an exciting new technology that offers important benefits to everyone connected with motion pictures. It's available now for 70mm releases, with 35 mm capability to follow. | |
Benefits For Everyone | |
 Directors/Sound Engineers• Greater creativity with five discrete full-bandwidth channels • The flexibility to select digital sound in post production • The quality of digital can be maintained throughout the process ... recording, mixing and playback... without resorting to analog | |
 Motion
Picture Specification ComparisonClick image to see larger version Film Labs • Utilizes current contact printer process • 70mm magnetic striping is unnecessary and the sound track doesn't have to be listened to in real time • Fewer process steps for 70mm processing means better quality and higher yields • Faster turnaround for 70mm prints Distributors • Durable soundtrack gives you long-life release prints • Faster turnaround for 70mm prints • Based on historical precedent, this very marketable advance in theater sound should increase attendance and revenues | |
Cinema Digital Sound - Technical Data | |
 Dynamic
Range Comparison.
Cinema Digital Sound's enormous dynamic range, the difference between
the loudest and the softest sound, makes it sound so true-to-life.Theater Exhibitors • For a small investment, the necessary sound decoder can be added to most existing projectors • Based on historical precedent, this very marketable advance in theater sound should increase attendance and revenues Movie Audiences • Now outstanding cinematography combined with high-quality digital sound can deliver the ultimate film experience | |
 Complete
Technical Data Chart.Click image to see larger version | |
| Go: back - top - back issues - news index Updated 05-01-25 |