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Christie displays Solaria Series Digital Projector at ShowEast
posted by
Michael Zoldessy
on
October 30, 2009 at 7:50 am
ORLANDO, FL — Christie, the leader in digital cinema projection technologies, will debut its next-generation digital cinema solutions, the Christie Solaria series, at ShowEast with the launch of the Christie CP2220 digital cinema projector. Recognized as “the future of digital cinema,” the projector features Texas Instruments' (TI) (NYSE: TXN) next generation DLP Cinema technology and an optional integrated 2K/4K media block. Christie’s next-generation 4K digital cinema projectors will display 4096 x 2160 pixels of resolution. While maintaining support for 2K external servers, these new models allow exhibitors to easily project 2K or 4K content, giving them the widest choice in digital cinema options. The Christie CP2220 with Doremi’s integrated media block will be on display at the Christie booth #1100.
The Christie CP2220 is the first in the new series of digital cinema projectors that also includes the Christie CP2210 and the Christie CP2230. The Christie CP4220 and the Christie CP4230, also introduced in June, are the Company’s premium 4K projectors and among the brightest in the world – like the 2230, the 4230 is capable of delivering over 30,000 lumens on the largest screens and delivers breathtaking 3D images. All next-generation Christie digital cinema projectors continue to utilize Christie Brilliant3D technology, providing the ultimate 3D experience with the lowest cost of operation.
“Christie is committed to supporting its customers today and in the future. That’s the primary driver behind our 2K and 4K-ready solutions,” remarked Craig Sholder, vice president, Entertainment Solutions at Christie. “We’ve expanded our line-up of industry-preferred digital cinema solutions to provide the most flexibility for exhibitors —– offering them the ultimate freedom to choose from the widest range of 2K or 4K resolution projectors, as well as providing them with the choice of either an external or integrated media block. Unlike other proprietary solutions, Christie technology is designed to work with all external cinema servers and will continue to work with companies that offer integrated media blocks. We understand how important it is for exhibitors to safeguard their long-term technology investment. With Christie, exhibitors are assured they have a future-proof solution that can meet their needs both today and tomorrow. ”
“Christie’s experience with the 1.2” DLP Cinema Chip on our current mid and high power products has given us an advantage over the competition on developing next generation 2K and 4K technology. In fact, the 4K DLP Cinema Chip is very similar to the current 1.2" products and not available in the smaller chip format used by other manufacturers in their mid power projectors,“ noted Brian Claypool, senior product manger, Entertainment Solutions for Christie. "At ShowEast, the industry will see the world’s first Series II 2K 1.2” DLP Cinema projector, designed around a fast and cost effective 4K upgrade. Only Christie’s DLP Cinema solutions have been tested and proven with the most installations worldwide and an unmatched 99.999% reliability rating."
All projectors in the Christie Solaria series are designed to meet Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) specifications. They feature a new modular architecture for improved serviceability and ease of maintenance, with up to 25% lower cost of operation than competing technologies.
Recognized for their superior light output capabilities, Christie digital cinema projectors have once again been selected to screen all major studio releases at AMC Theatres during ShowEast.
Also at ShowEast, Christie will present the latest version of ChristieACT. Designed to provide true integration of theater operations, ChristieACT features pre-programmable sequencing, built-in device libraries and web-based integration. With ChristieACT, exhibitors can now control entire booth operations from the palm of their hand.
About Christie
Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ushio, Inc., Japan, (JP:6925), is a leader in visual solutions for world-class organizations, offering diverse applications for business, entertainment, and industry. A leading innovator in film projection since 1929 and a pioneer in digital projection systems since 1979, Christie has established a global reputation as a total service provider and the world’s single source manufacturer of a variety of display technologies and solutions. With the acquisition of Vista Controls Systems, Corp., Christie offers the most complete and advanced solutions for cinema, live venues, control rooms, business presentations, training facilities, 3D and Virtual Reality, simulation and education as well as industrial and government environments. For more information, visit www.christiedigital.com
Comments (4)
Gee, at this rate, digital projection will have about the same quality as 35mm film … in about 10 years! And the same quality as 70mm in about 20 years! And the same quality as real IMAX in about 30 years!
Still, any increase in quality is good, and, of course, a necessity to remain competitive, since Blu-Ray in the home is only a few pixels shy of true 2K resolution. (2048x1080 vs. 1920x1080)
Robert Weisgerber, inventor of the Super Dimension 70 system, has created a digital projection system (supposedly on par with 70mm) called DMX.
http://www.fromscripttodvd.com/dmx.htm
With all the move towards digital, this could be the digital version of 70mm. If it happens, I hope he tweaks it again with 4k/6k techology. And I hope 65mm origination happens, because it can make digital look better that what it is now.
Motion interpolation? Eh, no thanks. I rather have 24fps 70mm scanned at 4k/6k then projected in 4k or higher DLP.
Good article. But I think digital projection will wind up with an eventual resolution of 16k, and eventually evolve to specially made LED-LCD front screens, eliminating the projection booth (and the projectionist) completely. It might be 30 years out, but there are currently 15' diagonal flat screens for sale, and every year the sizes increase.
Even at 4k resolution, that’s only 5.5 pixels per inch on a 60' screen, so that’s pretty low rez to compare it to 70mm.
As for this DMX format, it sounds like what LCD TVs are doing by upping the frame rate to 120 Hz or 240 Hz. The images look sharper, but it gives film that “video” look by cleaning up some of the film “blur.” I have a Samsung LCD that does this and it was disconcerting at first, although I’ve gotten use to it. It’s still a “trick” though, and digital projector manufacturers could probably add this to their current line of products and by-pass having to pay any royalties to Weisgerber.