8mm Forum: Beaulieu 708 EL line out

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Posted by Alexander Vandeputte (Member # 1803) on November 27, 2016, 03:41 AM:

Calling for our in house Beaulieu expert. As I use my Beaulieu machines mostly for silent screenings, either self shot footage or silent movies (thanks to the accurate variable speed control) I have never used the line out to feed sound into my amplifier using the speaker out on those occasions.
I run into the problem that on both machines ( a stereo and a twin track one) the line output does not seem to work. I use the same DIN to cinch cable that I use on my Bauer P7 machines where it works fine. So that is why I think the fault could be with the DIN connector instead of the line out itself. Is the Beaulieu DIN output configured in a non standard way, requiring anther DIN connector? Or is there a known line out fault in those machines ?

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on November 27, 2016, 03:53 AM:

Yes it is the cable you are using Alexander, you are correct.

I have a 5 pin din lead, out to 2 phono plugs which works fine as a "line out" cable on both of my Bauer T610's.

It won't work for the same duty on either model of my own Beaulieu projectors either.
It is only the cables like Wittners display on Beaulieu.de.with 4 seperate phono plugs (RCA) that actually work in this manner.

I have never deciphered the reason why or what manner the configuration of this cable differs as I was just glad to find one that actually worked for this purpose, just to say, get the 5 pin out to 4 phono plug cable, it will work for you Alexander.

Posted by Alexander Vandeputte (Member # 1803) on November 27, 2016, 04:36 AM:

Thanks !
I will hunt for the correct cable.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on November 27, 2016, 04:51 AM:

The one I use isn't one from Wittners Alexander, so I'd say any 4x RCA to 5 Pin Din cable will work for you.

Red and white for line out, yellow and blue for record, I think, off memory.
I think the config differences may come about as this socket is utilized as an in and out socket not just an line out socket as other machines do.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on November 27, 2016, 10:53 AM:

I believe this is the cable required, if I am wrong, will someone please say so!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1m-5-Pin-Male-Din-Plug-to-4-x-RCA-Phono-Male-Plugs-Audio-Cable-007352-/191524904427?hash=item2c97c61deb:g:fa4AAOSwe-FU8j0x

Posted by Alexander Vandeputte (Member # 1803) on November 27, 2016, 11:04 AM:

Thanks for all reply's. I will get one of those and report back.

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on November 28, 2016, 01:59 AM:

Just a thought as well, dare say you know this already Alexander, but certainly on the twin-track, you need the actual projector volume turned up (preferably to max) and a blank external speaker socket plugged in to kill the internal speaker sound.

Otherwise you don't get a line level output from the line out!

It's slightly annoying, especially as the sound must be first going through the pre-amp, which adds noise to the line out, but that's Beaulieu for you...

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on November 28, 2016, 04:18 AM:

Thanks Rob, I hadn't discovered that on my twin track model yet!

This isn't the way it works on the Stereo model. On that one you have all permutations to work with and line out can be achieved with or without external speakers connected and at any internal volume level setting.

Posted by Alexander Vandeputte (Member # 1803) on November 29, 2016, 01:44 PM:

Thanks for all the information and advice guys. I now have a line out signal on both my Beaulieu machines.
Rob, I tried this on my twin track machine with the same cable I was successfully using on the Bauer's. Internal speaker cut out and sound to the max and yes: a line out signal ! Did not know that.
Also thanks to Andrew. I purchased the DIN to 4x RCA plug cable and yes: a clear line out signal on both the yellow and white plugs.
I guess this is another case of the French practicing "the art of the exception"...

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on November 29, 2016, 01:50 PM:

Yes thanks Rob and Alexander there for that information there and subsequent update.

Have you tried using the 4 pin lead on your Twin track Alexander just to see if there are any differences in the manner this one behaves using your new cable?

I find it completely bizarre that the volume needs to be on max and the internal amp output socket,cut.

Clearly the Stereo amplifier is configured in a completely different manner from the outputs of the pre amp.

I will have to go through my manuals to see if I have one specifically for the Twin Track model.

Anyhow, i am pleased you got to the bottom of this one Alexander, on both of your projectors.

On the stereo one i have, before now i have fed a separate amp to 2 speakers close to the screen, while using the internal amp powering two different external speakers at the back of the room where the PJ is.

Both can be controlled completely independently in the manner you would expect.
It's a shame this does not appear to be the case on the Twin Track model. [Confused]

Also to Rob,
Did you get a dummy blank 2 pin din plug with your PJ when it was new just for this purpose?

I suppose the differences come about by the inclusion of the AUX socket on the Stereo model.

Stereo Model Sockets-

Twin Track Model Sockets-

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on November 30, 2016, 02:19 AM:

It is a slightly odd way of doing things Andrew I agree, but that's how it works on the twin-track.

I also use a DIN to 4 x Phono and having tested all, you will only get output on 2 of them (away this week, so can't check which colours) but only with volume up.

There is a reference in the service manual somewhere to the "modification" of adding a blank DIN plug to the accessories - mine came from Maplin! - in order to silence the internal speaker when using line out.

Worth noting that unlike, say, an Elmo ST-1200HD, you only get the track selected, or if both 1+2 are selected, a mono mix...so no stereo output.

The tone settings also influence the line out, but if set to anything other than quite low settings it becomes too "hissy" or too "boomy" (will be interesting what Alexander feels about this) - basically the line out goes through the pre-amp first.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on November 30, 2016, 04:41 AM:

Thanks Rob, that explains everything perfectly thank you.
I don't like this arrangement I have to say, one bit.

I have only had my own T.T. machine a fortnight so I'd simply assumed it worked in a similar manner to the later models, only mono.

I can live with the fact it doesn't attempt to be something it isn't by giving separate outputs to each of the channels at pre amp stage, but to have to fit a dummy 2 pin din plug then have the volume full up with the tone just at the right setting, to send a signal to then amplified externally, is nothing short of farcical in my book.

Luckily, they got it spot on on the later models with all permutations covered for using in the manner a simple stereo mixing deck will allow you to do.

You would much prefer the Stereo variant Rob, in every single regard.

[ November 30, 2016, 08:04 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on November 30, 2016, 09:16 AM:

Mine is quite an early version Andrew, so possible they changed this in later models...let us know how you get on with you own twin track version.

It sounds a real faf but in practise is actually quite good to use. Mine goes through an additional 7 band equaliser, so when putting on a show, simply set the external amp to the right level and keep the projector level on 0.

Then when you dim the lights and move the projector into sound mode, gently raise the volume on the projector to full for a sound fade in - and then dim to 0 at the end.

So you still effectively control the auditorium volume on the projector, with any additional boost or cut tweaks on the external amp.

You get used to it - my ST used to produce booming stereo, but think these days I prefer the clear, wow free mono of the Beaulieu.

If I didn't use digital so much now I may have gone for a later stereo Beaulieu...who knows, maybe one day!!

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on November 30, 2016, 09:39 AM:

I doubt you would regret it Rob if you ever did!

Thanks again Rob for the superb tips btw. [Wink]

When I put mine back together again (I am in the middle of trying to quieten it down to decent levels of noise from the claw and motor at the moment, just like my other one demonstrates),I will try it through a separate external amplifier and report back to you with my findings from similar din cables as to what Alexander now uses.

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