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Topic: Convert me
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Frank Bruno
Film Handler
Posts: 50
From: houston, tx
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 11-24-2008 10:34 PM
So after reading a few of the argument threads on d-cinema, I've decided I finally need to break down and see for myself. I'm film partial, in part because I can't really imagine going out to a theater and paying to stare at a video file. Provided a film print isn't too mangled or dirty, grain, changeovers, or lab splices don't bother me (CAP code is another story as it doesn't need to be there.) I can't buy digital's superiority just because it has different shortcomings than the film ones I have internalized as warm signifiers of moviegoing.
But I'm open-minded, and haven't really put digital to the test; as mentioned in another thread, I drove to a sister theater to check out their Christie projector. I wasn't really impressed by the 2 or 3D sitting through a few minutes of Hannah Montana, but I can see how that may not ahev been the best showcase film for the format. I caught one of those Fathom Events presentations of the old Star Trek Menagerie 2-parter at a nearby Regal, and that looked DTDS preshow quality.
quality. Again, 40 year old Trek episodes may not be the best test cases.
I can't seem to find a list of digital screens in the central/northern NJ/NYC areas. Does anybody know where one could be found, or know what digital theatres in my area are running what equipment? My Christie-having sister location was a bit of a hike, but I'm sure my own employer will at least have a few screens in NYC, and I may visit one of those. If anybody in the area knows where I can truly see "Digital Done Right" I'm open to the suggestion. At this point I'm really curious to see what the format can do.
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Scott Norwood
Film God
Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 11-25-2008 05:48 PM
How much of a difference is there in image quality between, say, Christie, Barco, and NEC ![[dlp]](graemlins/dlp.gif) projectors, all other things being equal and asssuming competent setup? (Some makes/models may be easier to install/repair or have greater light efficiency or whatever, but I'm not counting that here, since none of these issues would make a difference to the moviegoer.)
Also, I've seen posts here that suggest that the DLP chips come in different sizes; does that affect image quality, or just the amount of light that can be put through it (or something else)?
Finally, does the server make a difference in any factors other than reliability and operator convenience? Doesn't it just send bits to the projector? And are those bits the same if they come from a Dolby server vs. a Doremi server vs. some other server (assuming the same input file)?
I've been showing lots of video (NTSC, PAL, HD) for the last couple of years and I've made peace with it for material that was never shot on film or made available on film, but DCI really hasn't affected my life in any way. There are relatively few DCI houses in this area and all are in mainstream multiplexes, as far as I know.
From what I've seen of DCI, the picture is good enough to be an improvement over 35mm film run by popcorn kids, but I think that the 2k standard was standardized too early and is inferior to a good 35mm print. Also, it blows my mind that anyone has installed equipment, since it doesn't make sense from a business standpoint, except maybe for 3D, and that advantage is only good until every other theatre has 3D capability as well.
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Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!
Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 11-25-2008 09:46 PM
Scott,
In truth, there is less difference between the projectors (from the theatre perspective) than the installers and their equipment putting them in...not to mention the screen quality, ports...etc.
It may be me, but I think the .98" chips have a bit more pronounced dark space between pixels than the 1.2" (the only two sizes currently in use in 2K DLPs for DCinema).
The imagers, boards are all TIs doing as is the software that drives them (so sayeth TI)...Lens wise, they are all on a level playing field too...particularly on the 1.2" varieties
Some will claim superior contrast from one brand or another due to some special process of manufacture...in typical cinemas...you aren't going to get any real contrast above 500:1 (And probably a lot less) and be fire legal. In a screening room or other controlled environment...there may be something to it.
I'll say this, when I've set up identical projectors within a complex using the same equipment...when you show an image out of the various projectors, aside from maybe size...they look IDENTICAL color wise.
So, to make a long story shorter...I doubt you could advertize that we use "ABC" brand projectors and get ANY patron loyalty over another brand. I've also never had a studio question or be disappointed that one brand was in over another in terms of image quality.
Steve
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