Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Detailed information about the "Optiverter"

This is topic Detailed information about the "Optiverter" in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Max Biela (Member # 1919) on 07-31-2008, 04:01 AM:

Hi,

does anybody have more detailed information about the optiverter? Or even pictures? It would be interesting to know how they prevented projector noise to escape from the booth..

Thanks

Max [Smile]

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 07-31-2008, 09:16 PM:

This was the Wil-Kin mirror thing that went between the two projectors? For the ultimate theatre, Omnivision (or whatever they called it)?

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 08-01-2008, 01:04 AM:

The optiverter was part of the UltraVision premium projection concept. the unit allowed two projectors to hit the screen from a perfect centerpoint of a curved screen. It involved matching lenses and reflectors. Glenn Berggren who later was involved in the ISCO and Schneider lens designs currently in use, worked on the system when he was with Wil-kin. Single projector with a film transport makes this concept obsolete [Wink]

Posted by Max Biela (Member # 1919) on 08-01-2008, 02:40 AM:

Yes, but how did it actually look like? I need to know the exact arrangement of the mirrors. John P. mentioned some photos in an old SMPTE book IIRC...

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 08-01-2008, 05:52 AM:

The projectors were "toed in" at about 45 degrees. toward the wall's perfect centerline. At that location was a solenoid operated prism, much like an old telecine at a TV station. (yellow when dirty like old Superscope anamorphics) Louis

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 08-02-2008, 10:14 AM:

From SMPTE's 1969 Motion Picture Projection & Theatre Presentation Manual:

"Ultra-Vision is a new projection system specifically designed to eliminate projection and viewing problems encountered with any 35mm or 70mm picture presentation. It is claimed that with its use total sharpness, contrast and color control are substantially superior with any format, and the the results are measurable."

Posted by Andy Frodsham (Member # 4061) on 08-03-2008, 07:24 AM:

I assume, perhaps wrongly, that the extra prisms had an adverse effect on the picture quality? Great idea though.

We have a really short throw in our theatre and such a device would help a lot!!!

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 08-06-2008, 09:43 PM:

Ta Dah! I knew I had a picture of an "OPTIVERTER" here somewhere.

This picture, which shows the Optiverter set-up in the Terrace Theater in Hickory North Carolina, is from "The Motion Picture Projection and Theater Presentation Manual" published by SMPTE in 1969.

EDIT: OOPS! Obviously, I didn't see the previous message before posting this!

Posted by Max Biela (Member # 1919) on 08-07-2008, 03:31 AM:

Thanks everyone [Smile]