Test film

Test films are tools for calibrating, aligning, and checking film projectors and their components. Issues that can be diagnosed and corrected with the guidance of test films include ghosting, focus, framing, and pedestal adjustments. They are sometimes used in conjunction with test equipment.

The term generally refers to films made by technical bodies like SMPTE or by manufacturers like Schneider Optics specifically for test purposes, and are designed to help make sure your projector adheres to a certain set of standards.

In practice, term may also be used more casually to refer to any piece of footage used to test a projector, such as a fresh trailer used to conduct a scratch test.

Common types of test film

• SMPTE RP-40 - Visual focus test film for 35mm
• SMPTE RP-91 - Visual focus test film for 70mm

• SMPTE Buzz Track - Sound test film to set lateral position of film in the soundhead.
• DOLBY CAT. NO. 69P - Pink Noise test film
• CAT. NO. 69T- Dolby Tone test film

Images

click to enlarge

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  SMPTE RP 40 35mm test film

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  Schneider Optics 35mm test film

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  16mm test film (BLS 1682)

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  35mm Ghosting test film

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  SMPTE RP 91 5/70 test film

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  Boston Light and Sound 5/70 test film on screen

Sources of test film

• Boston Light and Sound
• SMPTE
• Schneider Optics
• R.S. Engineering

Other Resources

• SMPTE Test Materials for Motion Picture and Television catalog, circa 1985

External Links

• Tumblr page on test film history
• RP31 35mm film installation by artist Lucy Raven involving various test films.