Archive notice: This article was originally published on October 27, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The growing availability of 3D films is prompting more and more cinema operators to invest in digital stereoscopy technology. They expect this to increase attendance and revenue. Forecasts for the cinema industry are promising.
The forthcoming 3D spectacle “Avatar”—a production by Twentieth Century Fox and “Titanic” director James Cameron—is being hailed as a milestone in film history and a breakthrough for the technology. “DLP’s innovative technology plays an important role in the production of Avatar,” says Bruce Snyder, President of Domestic USA Distribution at Fox. “The film has long been eagerly awaited and will be this year’s 3D experience for moviegoers.”
Avatar is an exciting 3D thriller. The story: humanity is on a campaign of conquest. The planet Pandora contains valuable mineral resources, for possession of which its indigenous inhabitants are to be exterminated. DLP projectors were used during the production of Avatar for real-time playback of footage just recorded. In addition, James Cameron and the Lightstorm Entertainment production team used DLP projectors for post-production, achieving outstanding results in contrast, colour gradation and sharpness of the 3D effects. DLP Cinema projectors will also be used to screen the premiere in mid-December 2009.
“The collaboration between DLP Cinema and Lightstorm began eight years ago. Since then, we have continuously improved the 3D effect. In fact, audiences today can see 3D films in unprecedented quality,” says Geoffrey Burdick, Vice President for Production Service and Technology at Lightstorm Entertainment.
DLP technology is based on the digital DLP Cinema chip, which enables the unique 3D effects to be achieved with only a single projector. This virtually eliminates unwanted effects such as crosstalk and ghosting. Instead, moviegoers receive precise, realistic images in vivid colours, created with the aid of millions of microscopic mirrors on the DLP Cinema chip. The chip acts as a reflector and modulator of light and produces an exceptionally lifelike 3D effect.
Cinema operators can obtain DLP projectors from one of the three DLP Cinema licensees—Barco, Christie Digital and NEC. The resolution permits operation with 2D screens up to 30 metres in size and 3D screens up to 25 metres wide, eliminating previous difficulties on this scale. In addition, optimised 4K technology is intended for future use as an extension of the next-generation platform for DLP cinema projectors. These projectors will integrate multiple 3D platforms for 3D broadcasting.
“This year DLP Cinema celebrates the fifth 3D anniversary of the DLP chip. DLP Cinema is regarded as the de facto standard in the industry. Texas Instruments remains committed to cinema operators and the film industry as a whole with continuous improvements for a unique cinema experience,” says Nancy Fares, Business Manager for DLP Cinema® at Texas Instruments.
