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Topic: Screens.....and much more!

Frank Angel
Film God

Posts: 5305
From: Brooklyn NY USA
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 10-24-2002 01:10 PM

Andrew, welcome. And the timing is very auspicious as I am right this moment involved with a few installations that will require three new screens. Does MDI have those swatch books samples that you could send us? We are considering silver screens and it is great to hear that MDI specializes in that surface. Swatches are helpful, but like Bob, I would love to see a full screen, especially the silver surface screen. I have always been very wary of considering a silver screen because of the danger of winding up with a traveling hot-spot. But in two of these new installations they will be using video projection in rooms where seating stays pretty much within the width of the screen, so I may bite the bullet and recommend silver.

I recall seeing some literature from the original CinemaScope specs which required a silver screen. The claim was that it didn't have the hotspot problems because the surface was lenticular. Fox called it the Miracle Mirror, or something cheesy like that, but I don't recall seeing who made it for them. Does anyone still make a lenticular surface silver screen? And would that significantly reduce hotspotting (just made that up)? Then next question, would it not work for 3D if it is spreading light out more evenly? (Sorry for all the questions right out of the starting gate).

Again, welcome to our little oasis of techno-fun.

Frank

PS -- If a swatch book is available, this is da place:

Brooklyn Center Cinema
Attn Frank Angel / Suite 154G
2900 Campus Road
Brooklyn NY 11210

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Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!

Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 10-24-2002 01:49 PM

My only negative comment on the MDI screens is the "mini-perf". It is way too visible from even 15-20 feet away. Other than that, the MDI screens seem just fine to me.

Steve

------------------
"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"

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Mike Blakesley
Film God

Posts: 12767
From: Forsyth, Montana
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-24-2002 06:39 PM

Richard...I didn't think there was anything "wrong" with the screen; just that the seams are a bit noticable. I have never had any complaints about it. But when this one is ready for the scrapheap, I will definitely look into other options.

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Andrew Lee
Film Handler

Posts: 99
From: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 10-25-2002 08:46 AM

Frank, your screen samples will be sent to you today. You should get them early next week.

As a matter of fact our new 3D screens are lenticular. It's the only way to go. Silver lenticular is the only way to control hotspotting on a 3D screen. Yes this type of screen does spread the light out more evenly. People in this businees have been trying to successfully make a lenticular screen since the twenties. The biggest problems are controlling the fidelity of the pattern, even application of the coating, and seaming. The Fox screen you mentioned and many other attempts suffered from these afflictions.

We are 95% there as the seams are invisible under 3D projection, but barely noticable under 2D (sky or similar type scenes) projection to a trained eye up close. In a few months, this will no longer be an issue.

We have many 3D screens out there, but none with the lenticular surface in your area. Check out the samples and then get back to me.

Take care,

Andrew

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Andrew Lee
Film Handler

Posts: 99
From: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 10-25-2002 08:53 AM

Steve, I appreciate your comments. In fact we will probably be re-naming this particular perf pattern as it is not truly a mini-perf (it's intended for closer viewing than standard cinema perf, but not under 15 feet)per say. We have two new perforation patterns that we are about to offer that do come under the headings mini and micro perf. We are currently doing sound transmisson and digital projection tests. As a matter of fact I am trying to prepare a paper on the relationship between perforations and digital projection. There is quite a bit of misleading information out there and I want to set the record straight.

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Frank Angel
Film God

Posts: 5305
From: Brooklyn NY USA
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 10-27-2002 03:21 PM

Andrew, I'll be looking for the swatchs...thanks. And something I neglected to ask about....two of the installations will require non-pref screens. Is this configuration available?

Frank

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Andrew Lee
Film Handler

Posts: 99
From: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 10-28-2002 08:51 AM

Frank,

Not a problem at all.

Andrew

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