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This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3
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Author
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Topic: laser projection
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Carsten Kurz
Film God
Posts: 4340
From: Cologne, NRW, Germany
Registered: Aug 2009
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posted 12-16-2014 06:50 AM
The latest issue of cinema technology magazine has a special on laser projection and two articles on Barcos and Christies solutions.
There is still little known about the new IMAX laser projection system. For a while I thought it would just be something like a customized version of Barcos 6P projector, but what I heard now is that they are using a very different approach, again with overlaying different spatial resolutions, similiar to their initial 2*2k solution. They also boast a higher contrast range than achievable with 'ordinary' DLP laser projectors, towards an 8000:1 number. So it seems Barco is selling a more or less 'conventional' DLP light-engine based system in the DP4K-60L, but developed a special IMAX system based on the KODAK IP that IMAX aquired years ago.
http://www.cinematechnologymagazine.com/
BTW - This emag reader is crap, and it doesn't work on iOS devices (flash). But on a conventional desktop machine, you can call up the 'save' dialog on the upper navigation menu of the emag reader - this will allow you to save individual pages or the complete edition in PDF format.
If you receive KDM emails from MotionPictureSolutions - they will include a link to your KDM download portal - and this also has a tab 'Cinema Tech Magazine' - which will allow to download the current and previous editions, without the registration necessary for the CTM own site.
- Carsten
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Marcel Birgelen
Film God
Posts: 3357
From: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 12-16-2014 07:52 PM
I didn't read the article, because the Flash applet crashed on me...
But what I've read and heard before is that their new system is supposed to be a "hybrid" system. They were using a conventional 2K projector, projecting a very soft image and used a sharp and detailed version of the image, projected with a 4K laser projector as overlay. Combined the image should look super-fantastic and mega extra bright.
As is broadly known, human vision is capable of resolving brightness and contrast at a far higher resolution than color. That aspect of human vision is also "abused" in practically all common image and video compression schemes and for me it feels IMAX is now also using it to cheap out.
Warning: What follows now might be pure fantasy, but from the very limited chunks of information that have been published, I constructed my own tale:
IMAX essentially offers joint ventures with theater owners. In essence, IMAX doesn't sell you the equipment, you rent it from them. IMAX is, to some extent, also on the hook for upgrades and especially if they already promised you projectors with frickin' attached to it, they might be actually required to put those things in there.
So, instead of having to replace BOTH projectors with mega-expensive laser projectors, they created some kind of Frankenprojector hybrid, using one existing projector and one, new 4K laser projector.
The end result will be a sharper and brighter picture than before, although it will obviously not beat a dual laser projector configuration.
But as we know already, they've become specialized in smoke and mirrors.
One of the biggest issues with this story is how they're going to do 3D with such a system. Right now, the only systems supported by laser projection systems are dual projector Dolby/Infinitec solutions using 6 primaries or shutter glasses.
Digital IMAX uses linear polarization and that's not going to fly with anything laser. So, what are they going to use for their "laser 3D"?
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Carsten Kurz
Film God
Posts: 4340
From: Cologne, NRW, Germany
Registered: Aug 2009
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posted 12-17-2014 06:08 AM
Polarization works with laser projectors (even with the new 6P machines), but the benefit of using spectral separation is just higher. I think the first Kodak 'near-ready' laserprojector was built to use polarization.
I think IMAX didn't spent too much into their polarization systems that would make them stick to it - the screen could stay, it would add brightness even to a spectral separation system, the glasses are no big deal. However, getting the very large IMAX screens installed and metal-painted on location is probably very costly for new installs, so I guess they would be happy to switch the 3D system to one without a silver screen needed.
Remains to be seen what they actually do. I heard they would open a few premiere laser locations with the Hobbit III, but haven't heard wether they actually managed to finish them in time.
BTW - the real-world efficiency for the LIP spectral separation is not as good as one would think - Barco says it is on par with RealD XL, so, around 25% or something. That is still a boost for spectral separation, especially with projector power of 60.000+ lumens, but it's not actually blowing away the competition.
Still, especially with the move to higher 3D luminance, the stereo-separation is much better. I would think that polarization systems have a hard time at 14fL with respect to ghosting. And the screen is the limiting factor, little room for improvement there.
- Carsten
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Marcel Birgelen
Film God
Posts: 3357
From: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 12-22-2014 05:40 AM
quote: Dave Macaulay was the last to post
No.
And what, besides the IMAX label, makes it so special compared to the standard install?
quote:
Funny, only when you read the article in CTM about the Barco DP4K-60L projector, you will learn that it DOES include the laser light sources and seemingly offers a one-box package - but then you notice six(SIX!) thick cooling tubes running to a huge cooling rack in the background. So, after all, the needed real estate is similar to the Christie 6P solution with the remote fiber coupled laser rack - just that the 'tubes' leading to the projector head(s) are a lot thinner ;-)
Yeah, the Barco DP4K-60L also uses external light sources. Having seen both the current Barco and Christie laser projectors, I don't understand why the Barco machine is such a bulky beast, given the fact that both use external light sources fed trough fibers.
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