DIGITAL CINEMA Goes LASER

In its decision to abandon analog 35mm film and embrace digital projection the Hollywood studios, supported by several exhibition chains and NATO (National Association of Theatre Owners), trapped the cinema industry into ever evolving technological cycles which are the hallmark of the digital domain.  These changes are impossible to stop, impossible to control, and doom users to continuous adoption and expense.

Kodak's Laser Projection System

Case in point: Laser Projection Systems - the next development in content projection, laser based projectors will replace the current xenon based Digital Cinema projectors currently being adopted by the cinema industry.

Why?  Because laser projection delivers a vastly improved on-screen image with more contrast, a much wider color palette, a brighter image, and over time are more economical to operate.  For example, for 3D movies, laser based projectors are twice as bright as conventional xenon based D-Cinema projectors because laser light is already polarized and does not require filtering - which consumes half the light generated by the xenon projector.

Kodak first demonstrated a laser-based cinema projection system last spring to rave reviews. Unfortunately, Kodak didn't have the financial wherewithal to bring its prototype to market so had to license its.  First license purchaser, IMAX which is now working with Kodak and have stated that the projector will be in use at IMAX Theatres in 2013.

Barco Laser Projector

Last month, at the Digital Cinema Symposium, held in Galveston, TX, Barco premiered its laser driven cinema projection system. Touted as, "the brightest projector on the planet for digital cinema", the Barco 4k resolution projector produced a 70ft. wide on-screen image, which according to observers "stunned the audience".  Dave Keene, of NewBay Media Systems, stated "it's impossible to describe, the combined effect of very high light output, higher contrast, and 4k resolution produced the best image I have ever seen on a large screen."

Chinese Built Laser Projector

Like all digitally based technology improvements the cost of laser projectors will decrease in price, will be adopted, and will become the next "must have" for cinemas - because it's a better mouse trap.

Barco estimated that its laser projector will be available commercially in 2-3 years and the other D-Cinema projector manufacturers will join Kodak and Barco, as they must.  And Hollywood will embrace laser projection, as they must.  And cinema operators will have to acquire the technology, as they must. 

The solution to this problem is for the Hollywood studios to simply announce that they are going to keep distributing movies on 35mm film.  The old technology is controllable, reliable, and, most importantly, doesn't continuously evolve into new and better technology that must be embraced.

Best and Happy Movie Going!
Jim Lavorato