What technological advantage did Movietone and Phonofilm share over disc systems?
Answer
Physical linkage ensuring superior sync retention via optical track
Movietone and Phonofilm utilized sound-on-film technology, which recorded the audio track directly onto the film strip, typically running alongside the visual image. This approach established a physical linkage between the sound information and the corresponding frame of the picture. This direct physical connection guaranteed superior synchronization retention compared to sound-on-disc systems, where external synchronization mechanisms were prone to drift. Because the necessary audio information was physically integrated into the film print itself, it greatly simplified the required setup within the theater booth.
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