If this technology takes off( and I can't see why it wouldn't) there won't be any film used in your average cinema within 10 yrs or less.

I heard yesterday that video projecion comes under the trade of the International Brotherhood of Electricians.

The same is true with digital projection. It is promised to make everything easier and more profitable, but they put quality low on the list of priorities instead of on the top. But eventually the quality WILL surpass, by far, 35mm film. Eventually 70mm as well I believe. Who knows what the future will bring?

I see a lot of people using the terms DLP and "digital cinema" interchangably. Digital cinema does not necessarily mean DLP. Weren't people saying in other threads that, based on the demos at ShoWest, JVC's D-ILA technology is already superior? And then there's laser projection probably coming in the not too distant future. DLP does not have everything all sewn up by any means (I hope).

I am non union and I care about everything that goes on in my booth. I train everyone who works in my booth. I wish I could maintain all the booths in town. Even when film is gone someone still has to have the training and knowledge to maintain the new equipment on site. This has to be the way because it takes the stress off of the manager in keeping his screens up and running. Nothing is perfect and problem free in any technology. I think learning some of this knew technology would be interesting. But the technology needs to be the best it can be and not require upgrades for at least ten years before I will consider it right for it to effect my job.

I do not think our industry the exhibitors should accept that either. I have been doing this a long time, not as long as some of you in here, but long enough to know what people want. People like to be able to hear their movie without being blown out of their seats. They like their movie in focus. That is the two most comon complaints. Only a couple of times has anyone complained about scratches. It was on a movie I had received in that condition and was unable to get a replacement print. Only once have I heard anyone complain about seeing dirt on the picture. I was watching Independance Day at one of the other theaters. It was having shedding problems and during the desert scenes it looked like a black speck invasion.

The one thing that I see could be the most anoying thing in the new dlp technology is some of the little tiny mirrors becoming defective causing the black continuous specks in the picture no matter what you are showing. THese chips are probably the most expensive things in the unit to replace. My point being we the exhibitor must be wise in our decisions before making this jump.

People may not really care at all. They are the ones that are going to be hit with even higher ticket and concession prices.

The people I feel the most sorry for are those who run their on smaller chains who enjoy doing this buisiness who will not be able to afford the new technology and all the drive-ins that will shut down because they can not get the propper light levels and pictures on the screen to look right because of the long distances and size of the screens. People at DTS who will not be making DTS units because the digital signal will be with the downloads. Just a lot of sad faces I see in our future. It makes my heart hurt.

Just a note I have edited this post so it can be read more easily. Sorry about any spelling errors. For the record I do not drink. This was all written in a concious state.