35mm to 4K digital projection - Cinema conversion

[Jonny Rojo]

Thought some of you might like to see some photos of the current work being done at the cinema where I work as the chief projectionist. Having worked here for 14 years this past week has seen what must be the single biggest change in this cinemas history - a complete conversion to digital cinema, no 35mm will be left in the building this time next week.

The projectors are Sony CineAlta 4k resolution with 3 of our 9 screens having the RealD 3D set up.

First impressions from the 4 screens we have set up so far this week is incredibly positive, the 2D images are stunning as is the 3D.

Here's some progress pics...

Screen 4's old projector. 35mm with platter system at the side to hold the film...



A big lorry drops off a few bits of kit...







The old white screens have to come down so they can be replaced with silver coated high reflective screens for the 3D...



Silver screen goes up...



Screen4's projector and platters disappear...



The engineers set up screen 2's new digital projector...





Screen 2 is ready to go...



So is screen 4...



The 3D lens firing out two images which will converge on screen. Put on your 3D glasses and you get your 3D image!



Another week to go and 5 more screens to install and convert to digital!

[MarcMorris]

Thanks Jonny - what format are the digital masters supplied on?

[Claus]

Jonny,

Sad to see. What do they do with the projectors, platters and screen fabrics?
Just junk them?
What kind of re-training do you go through in preparation for this?

Claus.

[bigandya]

Could we see a pic of how the films now look when you get them for screening please Jonny?

[Companero]

Originally Posted by bigandya

Could we see a pic of how the films now look when you get them for screening please Jonny?

Why's that? You need to ascertain whether or not they can still be copied via a camcorder

[bigandya]

Originally Posted by Companero

Why's that? You need to ascertain whether or not they can still be copied via a camcorder

Funny

I'm genuinely interested - and dont laugh here because I honestly dont know - whether the films are going to be supplied on something like Super Discs or Hard Disc Drives or what?

I mean, the projection equipment is massive - is that because of the coordination needed or power needed or what?

As I say, I have no idea and am genuinely intrigued.

[dubster75]

why are the screens changed from white to silver? i would have thought that a white screen would display colour more vivid than a silver screen. does the silver screen have any adverse effect on the picture at all?

[MarcMorris]

I think it's to do with contrast levels.

[dubster75]

had a little dig around the internet and stumbled accross this which seems to have answered my question : In the early history of film all theater screens has a 'silver' coating. This was to help compensate for the dimmer projectors of the time; the silver screen was brighter than a white one. The reason for using a silver screen with 3D projection is that the polarized light striking it will remain polarized as it is reflected back.

http://www.ny3d.org/2009/05/dolby_3d...ema_a_new.html

http://www.dolby.com/professional/te...3ddigital.html


.

[Companero]

Originally Posted by bigandya

Funny

I'm genuinely interested - and dont laugh here because I honestly dont know - whether the films are going to be supplied on something like Super Discs or Hard Disc Drives or what?

I mean, the projection equipment is massive - is that because of the coordination needed or power needed or what?

As I say, I have no idea and am genuinely intrigued.

I'm pretty sure the films are sent on removable hard drives.

[Jonny Rojo]

Originally Posted by MarcMorris

Thanks Jonny - what format are the digital masters supplied on?

Sorry for the late reply, had another non-stop week installing the remaining 5 screens.

Marc, I believe the films as supplied to us are in Motion JPEG 2000 format.

Originally Posted by bigandya

Could we see a pic of how the films now look when you get them for screening please Jonny?

Here you go Andy, as Comp said they are on portable hard drives with an average film (in 2K) coming in at about 150 gig (AVATAR is 250 gig), we've not had any 4K films in yet but I'm assuming they will be a lot larger due to the increased resolution - 4K is FOUR times the resolution of 2K.

(Pen on top for size reference)

[Jonny Rojo]

Originally Posted by Claus

Jonny,

Sad to see. What do they do with the projectors, platters and screen fabrics?
Just junk them?
What kind of re-training do you go through in preparation for this?

Claus.

Yep, pretty much junked the old gear. Everything that couldn't be re-used at any of our other cinemas was taken away and recycled appropriately.

Training consisted of me going to Sony Europe HQ for a day's training with on site training as the install progressed.

[bigandya]

Thanks Jonny. So there is something beyond Blu Ray to look forward to

[Jonny Rojo]

Put the rest of the pics up in blog form if anyone's interested...

http://apollo-9.blogspot.com/