8mm Forum: Beaulieu 708 HTI Audio

This is topic Beaulieu 708 HTI Audio in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on April 13, 2016, 09:21 AM:

A forum member here posted about audio options on the Beaulieu HTI. While it is true that audio does sound better using the speaker outputs my machine and the other HTI that I use to have did have the ability to play audio through the internal speakers.
It might not be uncommon to have a model that does not have the ability to play audio through its speakers however. I know that when Wittner use to do the HTI mod on the GS1200 they had to remove one speaker because it was a little cramped in there.
And while Beaulieu had their own model 708 that they created from the ground up to be an HTI machine, there were many models that were 'upgraded' to HTI specs.
It could be the model you have is one of these.
However..incredible machine..no? [Smile]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 13, 2016, 09:38 AM:

In that case then Alan, surely a simple check, involving removing the rear cover will indicate whether or not this is the case, if I understand your point here correctly?

That way, you'd see if the projector still had it's own internal speakers intact.

[ April 13, 2016, 10:56 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on April 13, 2016, 11:17 AM:

There is no speaker according to the ad. Here is the link:
http://www.s8profis.de/beaulieu-stereo-p-371.html

Google translate says:

The speaker was removed and the sound is running

through an external speaker.

A speaker is present with the device does not exist,

on request, we can but a speaker

enclose. (This is not original, and from another brand)

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 13, 2016, 12:08 PM:

That clears that one up nicely Alan thanks! [Smile]

Lovely machine though.

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 31) on April 13, 2016, 02:28 PM:

That sure does. My transaction was done over the phone with lots of questions over a period of several days and I was assured the audio was fine but it was never mentioned I must use the external speakers only. Yes Andrew the mystery is solved.
This projector is one of a kind special ordered from the factory for a client who sadly did not get to use it very long. The projector is extremely quiet. It allows the use of ether the UHP lamp or switch to the HTI bulb. This thing is bright if using the HTI lamp I wish all projectors had this light output. It does have the 1.1 lens. Thanks Alan for the instructions how to switch the shutter between 2 and 3 blade I can hardly wait to check out the HTI lamp in 2 blade mode. Andrew thanks for your thread and instructions adjusting the screw on the input of the projector. That thread is a good read.
I have several Fumeos but the Beaulieu definitely has it beat in light output and focus stability & accuracy. I am relatively new the Beaulieu but the little time I've spent with it so far I am extremely impressed.
I am glad we have this forum and our friends to turn to when needing help and best of all to share this wonderful hobby with [Smile]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 13, 2016, 02:47 PM:

You got a peach of a machine there Alan! You lucky man. [Smile]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on April 13, 2016, 03:22 PM:

So Alan (Gouger), exactly what does your projector inventory look like these days?

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 13, 2016, 03:26 PM:

Lol Paul. Large Paul, very large! [Big Grin]

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on April 14, 2016, 08:17 AM:

I have projector envy. [Eek!]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 14, 2016, 08:20 AM:

You ought not to Alan, with your present collection and back catalogue of these things! [Big Grin]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on April 14, 2016, 10:17 AM:

Well, I do think it would be nice to know what projectors Alan is using, and what his opinion is of their merits. I did sell him a very nice Eumig 926GL Stereo a couple of years ago, and I believe he was amazed at the sound quality.

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 31) on April 14, 2016, 02:16 PM:

Paul the Eumig 926GL Stereo you sold me is a very nice projector. I was surprised how quiet and bright the image was, the sound is one of its strengths. It can be a little difficult threading the machine but when everything aligns it is a very nice machine that delivers an image and sound on par with the best of them. Its performance exceeded my expectations.

To answer your other question: I also own a standard GS1200, a Ugo Xenon GS, several Fumeos but my fav is a rare one with stereo & recording and now the Beaulieu HTI.
I like the Fumeo for the fact it has the safest film path, I never fear of scratching my prints with this projector.
The Beaulieu has some nice features lacking in the Fumeo and same with the GS1200 xenon. The GS has great audio, it always works flawless where the Fumeo and Beaulieu are a little picky if things are not recorded just right or aligned with the audio heads perfectly. The list goes on but no doubt the GS Xenon the Fumeo and Beaulieu are considered at the top of list. I think the Beaulieu actually edges ahead of the other two in some ways.

At the end of the day there is no perfect projector. I tried to purchase one of everything not because I want to be able to say I own everything I did so hoping one projector would stand out among the rest as king of the hill. That is not the case. Each has their pros and cons. After all, what matters is what is on the screen. A perfect projector doing its job will always be judged by the quality of the print being run through it.
Consider this, not a single projector can make a bad print look good but a good print can make a bad projector a bit more pleasing.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 14, 2016, 02:26 PM:

You have a superb array of tools to work with their Alan.
If you're not happy with the results you get from this little lot, there is absolutely no hope for the rest of us! [Big Grin]

You really ought never to be concerned about the film path on the Beaulieu. Over time I'm certain you come will to appreciate it is as safe as the very best of them Alan.
Just follow the simple step regarding the input guide and everything else with good hygiene, looks after itself! [Smile]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on April 14, 2016, 06:49 PM:

quote:
At the end of the day there is no perfect projector

Words of wisdom Alan, words of wisdom [Smile]

But your stable of projectors is as close to perfect as can be got on super 8mm, and you have the satisfaction of knowing that any one of your machines is showing your prints at the best that can possibly be obtained.
Regarding the Eumig 926GL, I have found it to be capable of fabulous quality stereo re-recordings, even if you don't use it for any other purpose. If the projector is warmed up running for about 30 minutes it will stay at a very constant speed, so only very minor speed adjustments are necessary whilst recording, and it is very easy to get very good sync over a 10 minute section of film.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 14, 2016, 06:55 PM:

I was able to do cartoons myself on the S938 Paul, and they turn out brilliant for sound!

Just struggled enormously for 600ft reels of film.

It's a similar story with the Goko RM 8008 but for entirely different reasons. If only it had sprockets!!

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 31) on April 14, 2016, 08:44 PM:

quote:
Just struggled enormously for 600ft reels of film.

Andrew and Paul the Eumig is one projector that would benefit from a full play unit.

The Beaulieu I purchased came with dual gates one 16x9 the other 4x3 for scope titles.
Here is a picture of the movie Spiderman projected using the 16x9 gate. The idea is to view the movie matted as it was projected in the cinema. I shot this image off center so it is somewhat skewed.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 15, 2016, 04:09 AM:

Top Drawer Alan! And a stunningly beautiful print to boot! [Wink]

I think they introduced the 16:9 gate to match their later cameras with the same optional gate for panoramic type home movies, if I remember correctly.

Beaulieu always seemed to place the greatest emphasis in use of their equipment on movies that were home produced.

All of their sales brochures for their projectors speaks only of their facilities to match their camera's capabilities.

Even the two blade shutter was only introduced to facilitate video transfer of home movies if you read the sales spiel on these.

Maybe that's why optical sound facilities were never considered necessary or relevant by Beaulieu.

Ironically, many I bet, never used these machines with camera shot footage.

The HTI would have been one hell of an investment to view your holiday home movie memoirs on! [Big Grin]

Still, judging by the standard of the very best cameras they produced, these were intended for serious film maker use, not for the casual home movie maker.

Beaulieu focussed as a company, almost entirely on cameras and film making. The projectors were just an add on it would seem.
A similar story with Braun.

An exceptionally good "add on" though, all the same in both cases!

[ April 15, 2016, 09:04 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]

Posted by Alexander Vandeputte (Member # 1803) on April 15, 2016, 09:30 AM:

Alan, curious to see how you switch out the gates. Is it a complicated task or can it be done on the fly just as in 35mm ?

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 31) on April 15, 2016, 12:11 PM:

Very good reasoning Andrew I think you are correct about Beaulieu's strategy. If the 708 was not their main focus then we are even more lucky to have this fine projector available to us.

Alexander it is very easy to change out the gate it just snaps in and out of place. I was sent a very short video showing how to do this, maybe I will upload this video and post the link tonight or tomorrow.
I was also just sent a video how to change the shutter between 2 and 3 blade I will post that as well even though a few good friends on this forum already told me how to do so:)

Edit:
Here are a few videos, I hope the links work for everyone.

Beaulieu, 16x9 to 4x3 gate change
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XS8ROooHDw

Beaulieu, Changing from the 3 to 2 blade shutter position.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNQMujHuhT8

[ April 15, 2016, 01:40 PM: Message edited by: Alan Gouger ]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 18, 2016, 11:08 AM:

Alan, this video appears to show you adjusting the shutter from 3 to 2 blades from the rear of the machine with the rear cover removed.

Is my assumption above here correct?

Posted by Paul Browning (Member # 2715) on April 18, 2016, 11:58 AM:

What does the 16 x 9 gate achieve ?, you still have to use a scope lens to project it surely, very curious about this. The video shows you clicking in the gate so the lens holders is modified too. Do wittner do the lens holder part ?. I would like to get one to modify to take the Elmo f1.0 lens, there is only .10mm difference between the barrel size's and the elmo will just fit in the little semi circular indent in the casing.

Posted by Alexander Vandeputte (Member # 1803) on April 18, 2016, 01:08 PM:

The gate change is impressive, just as in 35mm machines. A 16/9 gate is a very practical thing when projecting 'recent' features that are printed full aperture and need a proper gate to be projected in the correct aspect ratio (Silence of the lambs, Gremlins, Roger Rabbit)

Indeed I find the shutter adjustment method shown, somewhat peculiar. But I guess that's because this HTI model has a douser that does not allow you to acces the shutter from the front side ?

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 31) on April 18, 2016, 11:45 PM:

quote:
Alan, this video appears to show you adjusting the shutter from 3 to 2 blades from the rear of the machine with the rear cover removed.

Is my assumption above here correct?

Yes Andrew that is correct. Alexander was correct why it is done this way.

quote:
Indeed I find the shutter adjustment method shown, somewhat peculiar. But I guess that's because this HTI model has a douser that does not allow you to acces the shutter from the front side ?

Hello Alexander yes you guessed it correct:)

quote:
What does the 16 x 9 gate achieve ?

Paul read Alexanders answer for this. This projector came with two gates one is 16x9 and one is full frame which is used for older titles meant to be screened as 4x3. You will also use the full frame gate for scope titles.

If you are interested in any of these mods I am sure it can be done. Contact serv@s8profis.de
S8 profis

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 19, 2016, 02:48 AM:

Thanks Alan. its just as well that people with these will probably be keeping the machine in 2 blade shutter config more often than not then.

Something of an oversight there on Beaulieu's behalf regarding the design teams decision to engineer this model in such a way that you have to remove the rear cover just to change the shutter over from 3 to 2 blades.

The douser though, is a necessity for these, so I suppose they were left with little option aside from changing the lamphouse cover design completely just for the HTI models.

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