ISO 8395:1995
(Main)Cinematography — Test films for the reproduction of 70 mm motion-picture release prints with magnetic stripes — Specifications
Cinematography — Test films for the reproduction of 70 mm motion-picture release prints with magnetic stripes — Specifications
Specifies basic technical characteristics for magnetic sound test films used for checking, adjusting and measuring 70 mm motion-picture projector sound systems and sound reproduction channels of motion-picture installations. Includes specifications for test films intended for checking, adjusting and measuring of azimuth of the magnetic head gaps; output level balance of several motion-picture projectors or systems and interchannel balance on each projector or system; frequency response of the sound reproduction channels and non-uniformity in velocity of film travel.
Cinématographie — Films étalons pour la reproduction sonore des tirages cinématographiques sur films de 70 mm avec pistes magnétiques — Spécifications
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 10-May-1995
- Technical Committee
- ISO/TC 36 - Cinematography
- Drafting Committee
- ISO/TC 36/WG 3 - Audio technology
- Current Stage
- 9093 - International Standard confirmed
- Start Date
- 10-Jul-2023
- Completion Date
- 14-Feb-2026
Overview
ISO 8395:1995, Cinematography - Test films for the reproduction of 70 mm motion-picture release prints with magnetic stripes - Specifications, is an international standard developed by ISO/TC 36 for the cinema industry. This standard specifies the fundamental technical characteristics and requirements for magnetic sound test films used in the context of 70 mm motion-picture projectors and sound reproduction channels. Its principal aim is to enable accurate checking, adjustment, and measurement of essential sound reproduction parameters in motion-picture installations using 70 mm film with magnetic sound tracks.
Key Topics
Test Film Types: ISO 8395:1995 recognizes two primary types of magnetic test films (Type 185 and Type 320), each tailored for different measurement procedures and regional mains frequencies (60 Hz and 50 Hz, respectively).
Test Functions: The standard defines test films for several critical tasks:
- Azimuth alignment of magnetic head gaps
- Output level balance between projectors and channels
- Frequency response of sound reproduction channels
- Non-uniformity of film velocity (flutter measurement)
Technical Specifications: Lays out detailed requirements regarding:
- Signal frequencies and tolerances
- Magnetic flux levels and measurement methods
- Minimum durations for test signals
- Output uniformity and harmonic distortion
- Recording and identification procedures for test films
Film Base Material Considerations: Addresses differences between cellulose-triacetate and polyester bases, emphasizing that test films should match the material of the release prints for accurate adjustments.
Applications
ISO 8395:1995 is a vital tool for professionals involved in the technical operation, maintenance, and calibration of cinema projection systems, particularly those handling 70 mm motion-picture formats with magnetic sound tracks. Its applications include:
- Projector Maintenance and Setup: Ensures optimal performance of 70 mm projectors by providing standardized methods to verify and adjust azimuth, signal level, and frequency response.
- Sound System Calibration: Assists in achieving consistent and balanced audio output across multiple projectors or within multi-channel systems.
- Quality Control in Motion-Picture Installations: Facilities can monitor for non-uniform film velocity (flutter), preventing audio quality degradation during film playback.
- Film Archives and Restoration: Provides guidelines for accurately calibrating equipment used in archival work, guaranteeing faithful reproduction of original soundtracks.
By promoting consistent testing practices, ISO 8395:1995 supports high-quality cinematic audio reproduction, ensuring audiences experience films as intended by creators and technical teams.
Related Standards
ISO 8395:1995 refers to several key international standards for compatibility and best practices in sound recording and measurement, including:
- ISO 266: Acoustics - Preferred frequencies
- ISO 2404: Cinematography - Six-track magnetic sound records on 70 mm striped release prints - Locations and dimensions
- ISO 3023: Cinematography - 65 mm and 70 mm unexposed motion-picture film - Cutting and perforating dimensions
- ISO 8590: Cinematography - Audio records on 70 mm motion-picture release prints with magnetic stripes - Recorded characteristic
- ANSI S4.6: Methods of measuring recorded flux of magnetic sound records
- IEC 386: Measurement of speed fluctuations in sound recording and reproducing equipment
- EBU Technical Document 3205-E: Standard peak-programme meter for the control of international transmissions
These related standards help ensure interoperability and comprehensive quality control throughout the film production and exhibition chain, especially for cinemas using 70 mm film with magnetic soundtracks.
Keywords: ISO 8395:1995, cinematography standards, 70 mm motion-picture, magnetic stripes, sound test films, projector calibration, film sound reproduction, audio balance, frequency response, motion-picture installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 8395:1995 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Cinematography — Test films for the reproduction of 70 mm motion-picture release prints with magnetic stripes — Specifications". This standard covers: Specifies basic technical characteristics for magnetic sound test films used for checking, adjusting and measuring 70 mm motion-picture projector sound systems and sound reproduction channels of motion-picture installations. Includes specifications for test films intended for checking, adjusting and measuring of azimuth of the magnetic head gaps; output level balance of several motion-picture projectors or systems and interchannel balance on each projector or system; frequency response of the sound reproduction channels and non-uniformity in velocity of film travel.
Specifies basic technical characteristics for magnetic sound test films used for checking, adjusting and measuring 70 mm motion-picture projector sound systems and sound reproduction channels of motion-picture installations. Includes specifications for test films intended for checking, adjusting and measuring of azimuth of the magnetic head gaps; output level balance of several motion-picture projectors or systems and interchannel balance on each projector or system; frequency response of the sound reproduction channels and non-uniformity in velocity of film travel.
ISO 8395:1995 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 37.060.20 - Motion picture films. Cartridges. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ISO 8395:1995 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL Is0
STANDARD 8395
First edition
1995-05-I 5
Cinematography - Test films for the
reproduction of 70 mm motion-picture
release prints with magnetic stripes -
Specifications
Cin6ma tographie - Films &talons pour la reproduction sonore des tirages
cin6matographiques sur films de 70 mm avec pistes magnktiques -
Spkifications
Reference number
IS0 8395: 1995(E)
IS0 8395:1995(E)
Foreword
IS0 (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide
federation of national standards bodies (IS0 member bodies). The work
of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through IS0
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for
which a technical committee has been established has the right to be
represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental
and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. IS0
collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission
(I EC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are
circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an International
Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting
a vote.
International Standard IS0 8395 was prepared by Technical Committee
lSO/TC 36, Cinematography.
Annexes A and B of this International Standard are for information only.
0 IS0 1995
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced
or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopyrng and
microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
International Organization for Standardization
Case Postale 56 l CH-1211 Geneve 20 l Switzerland
Printed in Switzerland
II
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 0 ISO IS0 8395: 1995(E)
- Test films for the reproduction of
Cinematography
70 mm motion-picture release prints with magnetic
- Specifications
stripes
to investigate the possibility of applying the most re-
1 Scope
cent editions of the standards indicated below.
Members of IEC and IS0 maintain registers of cur-
This International Standard specifies basic technical
rently valid International Standards.
characteristics for magnetic sound test films used for
checking, adjusting and measuring 70 mm motion-
IS0 266: ---J, Acoustics
- Preferred frequencies.
picture projector sound systems and sound repro-
duction channels of motion-picture installations.
IS0 2404: 1986, Cinematography - Six-track mag-
netic sound records on 70 mm striped release prints
This International Standard includes specifications
- Locations and dimensions.
for test films intended for checking, adjusting and
measuring of:
IS0 3023:1995, Cinematography - 65 mm and 70
mm unexposed motion-picture film - Cutting and
azimuth of the magnetic head gaps (azimuth
a)
perforating dimensions.
alignment test film; see table I);
IS0 8590:1994, Cinematography - Audio records on
output level balance of several motion-picture
b)
70 mm motion-picture release prints with magnetic
projectors or systems and interchannel balance
stripes - Recorded characteristic.
on each projector or system (signal level test film;
see table 2);
ANSI S4.6:1982, Recorded flux of magnetic sound
records at medium wavelengths, methods of meas-
frequency response of the sound reproduction
d
uring.
channels (multi-frequency test film; see tables 3
and 4);
ANSI/IEEE 152:1992, Audio Program Level Measure-
ment.
non-uniformity in velocity of film travel (flutter)
d
(flutter test film; see table5).
CCIR Report 79-2:1994, Measurement of the charac-
teristics of sound signals recorded on magnetic tape.
DIN 45 520: 1973, Magnetic tape recorders; measure-
2 Normative references
ment of the absolute level of the magnetic flux and its
frequency response on magnetic tapes.
The following standards contain provisions which,
through reference in this text, constitute provisions
EBU Technical Document 3205-E, 1979, The EBU
of this International Standard. At the time of publi-
standard peak-programme meter for the control of
cation, the editions indicated were valid. All standards
in terna tional transmissions.
are subject to revision, and parties to agreements
based on this International Standard are encouraged
1) To be published. (Revision of IS0 266:1975)
IS0 8395:1995(E)
IEC 386:1972, Method of measurement of speed
4 Specifications
fluctuations in sound recording and reproducing
equipment.
4.1 Test films shall be made on motion-picture film,
the cutting and perforating dimensions of which are
3 Types of test film
in accordance with IS0 3023. (See also annex A).
It is recognized that two different types of magnetic
test film are used for the evaluation and adjustment
of magnetic film reproducers. These test films differ
4.2 Location and width dimensions of sound
in the way their magnetic flux levels are measured,
records shall be in accordance with IS0 2404.
and in the detailed procedures of their application in
system evaluation and adjustment. In this Inter-
national Standard, both types of magnetic test film are
4.3 Magnetic recording characteristics for multifre-
specified, according to the following definitions.
quency test film shall be in accordance with
IS0 8590.
Type 185
a)
Magnetic flux levels are measured using the pro-
4.4 Test films shall be splice-free, except where
cedures specified in ANSI S4.6 and CCIR 79-2.
joins are an essential part of the test film.
The reference short-circuit flux level shall be
185 nWb/m. The test film signal output level shall
be 6 dB below the reference flux level. These test
4.5 70 mm test films shall be recorded at a film
films were developed for use generally in
velocity equivalent to 24 frames (120 perforations) per
countries with a mains frequency of 60 Hz, and
second [nominally 570 mm (22,4 in) per second]. All
for measurement with VU meters conforming to
frequency and velocity tolerances shall relate to this
ANSI/IEEE 152.
stated velocity.
NOTE 1 The method for measuring magnetic flux
level given in ANSI S4.6 uses a special reproducing
4.6 Each test film shall be provided with written
head with two symmetrical gaps. The magnetic film to
be measured is run in contact with the front gap and identification on the outside of the container, including
then in contact with the rear gap. The flux is calculated
the following information:
from the two EMF values and the head data.
- type of test film (Type 185 or Type 320),
Type 320
b)
- function of the film,
Magnetic flux levels are measured using the pro-
cedures specified in DIN 45 520. The reference
- base material (triacetate or polyester),
short-circuit flux level shall be 320 nWb/m. The
test film signal output level shall be 10 dB below
- date and place of recording, and
the reference flux level. These test films were
developed for use generally in countries with a
- a statement that the test film conforms to this
mains frequency of 50 Hz, and for measurement
International Standard.
with SPP meters conforming to EBU Technical
Document 3205-E.
4.7 Within multifrequency test films, each fre-
NOTE 2 The method for measuring magnetic flux
quency shall be identified by voice announcements
level given in DIN 45 520 uses a search coil to sense
preceding that frequency segment. The peak level of
the flux of a very long wavelength recording. The re-
voice announcements shall not exceed the peak level
cording head is then fed with the same current, but at
of modulation.
the reference frequency to produce a recording for cal-
ibrating a high-efficiency reproducing head.
TI
I ne calibration of a magnetic film reproducer resulting 4.8 If multi-track test films are made on a fully
from the use of a Type 320 magnetic test film will magnetic coated motion-picture film, the individual
differ from that obtained from the use of a Type 185 records shall be made in accordance with this Inter-
magnetic test film, and will generally give a result national Standard, including the specific
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