I’ve recently watched Oppenheimer on 35mm and 2001: A Space Odyssey on 70mm film and wondered how the audio works when it is printed on the film.

Does the film go through another machine before going through the projector?

  • Ranvier@sopuli.xyz
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    1 year ago

    There’s been multiple related methods, and now newer digital methods, but the short answer is for analog sound the waveforms were printed on a strip alongside the images. A light shining through that hits a photo sensitive diode, the intensity of the light will vary with the waveform. The diode changes the light signal back into an electronic signal, that varies the same as the audio waveform printed on the film, which then goes to the speakers and is turned into sound.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tg--L9TKL0I

    That’s a great video if you want to go on a deep dive.

    Here’s a closeup picture of analog sound on a film strip which may help you visualize too.

    • JimBeann@feddit.de
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      1 year ago

      This is such a great channel. I discovered it a few weeks ago and can’t get enough of it. I highly recommend checking out a few of his other videos.

      • glimse@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        He’s the shit.

        “Have you ever wondered why [thing] is the way it is?”

        NOPE NEVER! But I’m all ears, let’s hear it!

        • ElderWendigo@sh.itjust.works
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          1 year ago

          He is the shit. Similar vibe and quality with Techmoan.

          “Have you ever heard of or cared about how this niche and now probably obsolete audio or video format or product worked?”

          No, I didn’t even know it existed. But I am now deeply emotionally invested in him getting that obsolete junk electronic toy working!

          • unoriginalsin@lemmy.world
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            Afaraf
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            1 year ago

            “Do you have any feelings whatsoever about the way automobile taillights work in the US?”

            “No, why would I?.”

            “After you watch this video, you’re going to write your congressman.”

            • jasondj@ttrpg.network
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              1 year ago

              Dude has so many rants on it too. He just released another one yesterday I think (reverse alarms).

    • jasparagus@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      It is a bit lengthy but well worth a watch

      This was how I knew it was a Technology Connections video before I clicked haha. His stuff is always so informative and interesting.