Matrix automaton
A matrix machine (called matrix for short in the industry ) is an electrical or electronic device for the automated control of processes in the cinema.
In the screening room of a cinema are available for the presenter to be done. Some of the regular operations are:
- Switching the hall light on and off
- Switching the stage lights on and off
- Opening and closing the curtain
- Setting the correct coverage ( Kasch ) in front of the canvas
- Turn admission music on and off
- Start projectors
- fade over
- Setting of suitable lenses and image masks .
The sequence of these periodic processes can be carried out in various ways, namely by manual control or by a roller or matrix machine .
Manual control
The demonstrator triggered all the necessary actions in the hall and in the demonstration room via switch boxes or on the projector. This includes the control of the hall and stage lights, the curtain and the cover of the screen and all necessary picture and sound settings.
Matrix automaton
In the present day screening room, all processes are controlled by a matrix machine . This can be located in an external housing or integrated in the projector. By inserting diode plugs (see figure), periodic processes are programmed. The holes in each horizontal line correspond to a program step and stand for the individual processes to be triggered. It is possible to switch to the next program line manually, via an aluminum foil glued to the film or by means of a time-delayed pulse triggered by the matrix itself.
A simplified standard program for a cinema show could look like this:
- Step 1: Music in the hall, hall light and stage light too (= entrance to the cinema)
- Step 2: dim the lights, open the curtain
- Step 3: Start the projector, turn off the inlet music, put the projector sound on the amplifier
- Step 4: Ignite the lamp in the projector (= presentation in progress)
- Step 5: Lights in the hall on, curtains closed, machine off, inlet music on amplifier (usually triggered by an aluminum strip on the film)