Interesting thread, longisland. As predicted, there is no good game plan for the implementation of digital in theatres. When theatre owners realize that the studios will be able to control how-when-where they get to screen a movie, there will be a big backlash. That and the fact that the current 2K gear is NOT upgradable, yet 60 year old 35mm gear is!
As of now, digital is non-starter unless the studios absorb all costs of installation. This is only fair since they are the only ones who realize a savings by not making prints.
digital projection is just that, projection. The image on the screen is coming from the booth in much the same way film is projected. Only there is no film to get dirty or scratched. A computer takes digital pixals and converts them into an image that a Zenon lamphouse can project onto the screen using conventional projection lenses. So from the audience looking back at the booth they would see a stream on light coming out and shining on the screen. The difference is the image is many times sharper, brighter and more even than with film. It is expensive to convert but their are a number of organizations forming to assist with conversion and financing as this is going to be the way films are shown in the very near future. Celuloid is going to disapear period! The industry is looking at 7 to 10 years max.
There’s also an article about this in July’s issue of Box Office (page 48). Drive-in owners have said that D-Cinema projectors allow them to more easily and evenly light up the large screens (putting a 7K lamp thru film can easilly burn it). The dirty booths also are less of a problem for digital projectors (according to the article) as it is to film. Digital offers a crispy, clean sharp image run after run. Digital projectors can also show alternative content (Other Digital Stuff) like concert shows and sport events…
I can see how it takes away the nostalgic gritty yet comfy grind house quality some drive-ins have, but I can also see how watching live events at a drive-in can enhance the experience..
And do you really go to a drive-in thinking you’ll be seing the picture in it’s best possinle way?
It would take away from the experience if they went digital.
It’s different then at a theater, because you look behind you to see it projecting, in the open air to a screen. To me it’s always been something neat and cool to drive-ins
Interesting thread, longisland. As predicted, there is no good game plan for the implementation of digital in theatres. When theatre owners realize that the studios will be able to control how-when-where they get to screen a movie, there will be a big backlash. That and the fact that the current 2K gear is NOT upgradable, yet 60 year old 35mm gear is!
As of now, digital is non-starter unless the studios absorb all costs of installation. This is only fair since they are the only ones who realize a savings by not making prints.
View link IN FILM IS OUT
“The difference is the image is many times sharper, brighter and more even than with film.”
and
“Digital the best thing for drive-ins……big screen crisp pic to compare to tv is an outrage!”
This is incorrect. No currently available “digital” system looks as good as a properly projected 35mm print.
Oh and projectionist have done so much for theater owners……ha
Just another way to put projectionist, out of work, there is nothing like running a movie the old way.
Norelco
digital projection is just that, projection. The image on the screen is coming from the booth in much the same way film is projected. Only there is no film to get dirty or scratched. A computer takes digital pixals and converts them into an image that a Zenon lamphouse can project onto the screen using conventional projection lenses. So from the audience looking back at the booth they would see a stream on light coming out and shining on the screen. The difference is the image is many times sharper, brighter and more even than with film. It is expensive to convert but their are a number of organizations forming to assist with conversion and financing as this is going to be the way films are shown in the very near future. Celuloid is going to disapear period! The industry is looking at 7 to 10 years max.
Digital projection may be beyond current power availability at the moment. Not too mention the raw costs that few if any could afford.
A digital screen akin to a plasma TV that could offer daylight screenings would certainly be handy.
Digital the best thing for drive-ins……big screen crisp pic to compare to tv is an outrage!
There’s also an article about this in July’s issue of Box Office (page 48). Drive-in owners have said that D-Cinema projectors allow them to more easily and evenly light up the large screens (putting a 7K lamp thru film can easilly burn it). The dirty booths also are less of a problem for digital projectors (according to the article) as it is to film. Digital offers a crispy, clean sharp image run after run. Digital projectors can also show alternative content (Other Digital Stuff) like concert shows and sport events…
I can see how it takes away the nostalgic gritty yet comfy grind house quality some drive-ins have, but I can also see how watching live events at a drive-in can enhance the experience..
And do you really go to a drive-in thinking you’ll be seing the picture in it’s best possinle way?
I agree..sometimes a step forward is a bad thing. Keep them like they are.
It would take away from the experience if they went digital.
It’s different then at a theater, because you look behind you to see it projecting, in the open air to a screen. To me it’s always been something neat and cool to drive-ins
More marketing hype for big screen tv.