Cinemeccanica Victoria 8

Cinemeccanica Victoria 8, a 35mm projection machine, manufactured in Milan, Italy. The machine runs at 24 frames per second. A digital reader optically reads the sound from the film, either in analog or digital format. The projector features built-in Dolby Digital and Dolby Analog sound, and also includes a DDS reader along with sensors that detected light in the auditorium and on the screen. It used a platter system that allowed the reel to be shown in a single pass, making the projector easier to use in multiplex theaters. The projector is much more automated than older models, and the projectionist's role was therefore much smaller than before. The projector was in use at Laugarásbíó from 2000 until around 2010, or until digital technology took over. The projector was replaced at the same time at Háskólabíó and a similar machine was installed. The projector at Háskólabíó, however, had a larger lamp since it had a larger auditorium. Sigurjón Jóhannsson installed the projectors at both Laugarásbíó and Háskólabíó and handled the maintenance for the house's projectors for many years. Emphasis was placed on preventive maintenance; the projectionist kept a close eye on the machines, and if he noticed anything amiss, he would contact Sigurjón, who would replace the part before it failed. The cinema's first projectionists were Árni Hinriksson and Tómas Snorrason, and later Vigfús Guðmundsson. Laugarásbíó gave the machine to the National Film Archive of Iceland in 2016.