Call For All Of Those Interested In Cinema Sound To Sign Up With SMPTE For Movie Theater SMPTE Standards Committee

April 12, 2010

Famed acoustician Dr. Floyd Toole wrote an extensive summary of cinema sound in his 2008 book "Sound Reproduction", giving the history and the changes made to the cinema reproduction systems over time. His scathing conclusion was "it seems no real science has been done". (p. 388). His harshest criticisms were reserved for the lack of understanding that the industry has for loudspeaker/room interaction, and the "X" curve which was originally implemented to hide the optical noise from analog soundtracks. The SMPTE has been the driving force to establish technical standards for Digital Cinema, and this work has seen a spectacular changeover from film projection to digital projection over the last few years. SMPTE is also the lead engineering standards body for both 3D cinema and 3D television. As part of all of these picture reproduction changes, theaters are now receiving uncompressed, full-bandwidth audio soundtracks for the first time - soundtracks that are, for the most part, not being reproduced to their full range due to the antiquated standards used to build and setup the B-chain (amplifiers, speakers, & acoustics) in these theaters. After wide-ranging discussions in the SMPTE engineering committees, a study group has been established to look at all the issues of Movie Theater sound reproduction, under the guidance of the SMPTE Standards Committee. Proponents are Brian Vessa, Sony Pictures and Brian McCarty, Coral Sea Studios, both from the "creative" side of the film and TV production community. Initial signups for this SMPTE group have been from a good cross-section of engineering, acoustics, and exhibition members but the committee is encouraging participation from everyone with an interest in this subject. It's really the first chance the audio engineering side has to move the audio side of film exhibition into the 21st century, taking advantage of the improvements in speaker design that have been used in live sound, concert sound, and other large-room venues. We encourage all of those interested in cinema sound to sign up with SMPTE for this committee study group. For information contact Brian McCarty, Managing Director, Coral Sea Studios Pty. Ltd., Clifton Beach, Qld 4879, AUSTRALIA, +617 4059-2888, LA OFFICE, 818 448-2436 http://tinyurl.com/mccartybio

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