The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers‘ Standards Committee has created a Study Group focusing on movie theatre sound system measurement and adjustment techniques with an ‘ear’ toward possible improvements in sound quality and consistency. The purpose of this group chaired by Brian A. Vessa is to examine and investigate possible design setup and performance issues with movie theatre sound systems (generally known as the B-chain) and recommend areas where these could be improved. These recommendations might result in new B-chain measurement techniques leading to more consistent and better-sounding movie theaters. According to organizers this presents a rare opportunity to take a comprehensive look at these issues and possibly arrive at new methodologies to assist in providing the best practice in cinema audio for the audience. The Society welcomes participation from all interested parties. To directly participate in this work information on SMPTE membership (required) can be found at: https://www.SMPTE.org/kmembership_info/individual_membership_types. ST-SG Theatre B-Chain information can be accessed by SMPTE members at https://www.SMPTE.org/apps/org/workgroup/st-b-chain/. Non-SMPTE members interested in participation may contact Peter Symes SMPTE director standards and engineering via the SMPTE website at http://www.smpte.org/about/staff.
