Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Panavision 3D

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Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 10-28-2010, 01:04 PM:

I just got a call to check out a theater for possible Panavision 3D. I called Panavision to get specs and I wanted to get some info. With the panavision 3D, there is no need for a silver screen. The problem I have is with their light output spec sheet chart. They want at least 30FL preferably 35 with no less than 75% on the sides. I have no problem with that. My problem is their lamp chart. For example, they say for a 26 foot wide screen, a 1600Watt bulb will do. Can you really get 30-35 with 75% on the sides?

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 10-28-2010, 07:21 PM:

Yes, but not all lamphouses can do it. Easy for a new SuperLumex reflector, new bulb, new white screen and excellent porthole glass. Obviously, this is not typical.

80 ft/lamberts is obtainable with a SILVER screen, less is reasonable with a white screen. Louis

Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 10-28-2010, 07:33 PM:

That's the problem. Most of these screens have old screens, old equipment, etc...

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 10-28-2010, 09:32 PM:

I think that is the rub in many cases now days where theatre do not have a dealer with competent engineering departments to ensure equipment compatability with the desired specified end result
there are many variables and that takes someone with experience to create a workable package

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 10-28-2010, 10:41 PM:

Maybe throw a Technilight reflector in that Super Lume-X and a short gap 2500w bulb (might have to alter/modify the exhaust some for this conversion...) and it makes you wonder if these lumens numbers then can be achieved.

-Monte

Posted by Jack Theakston (Member # 4484) on 10-31-2010, 02:43 AM:

What is the filter system for this? Even the Dolby 3-D system requires at least a high-gain white screen.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 10-31-2010, 05:26 PM:

Dolby 3D does NOT require a high gain screen. Depending on the projector and screen size, a high gain screen is often used to get the center of the screen brighter but it will cause the illumination to vary across the screen. We have done Dolby 3D installations on matte-white screens...they look the best.

Steve

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-01-2010, 09:43 AM:

Steve...

Dolby actually DOES reccomend a minimum 1.8 gain screen for their process as well as a maximum width of 45 feet. But the nice aspect is that one can use what ever one wants to...

Mark

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 11-01-2010, 11:38 AM:

They only recommend it because of the miserable 10% throughput. It makes it somewhat necessary on larger screens...however, just like with silver screens...the gain is only over a narrow portion of the screen...leaving the rest too dark.

Also, I noted that one is not REQUIRED to use a gain screen.

Steve

Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 11-01-2010, 03:40 PM:

So has anyone had one of these systems installed yet? I am in the process now of upgrading 2 screen's lamphouses. I am still waiting to hear from Panavision as to what light levels they need. In all their spec sheets, they still mention bulb size only and not foot lamberts. What level is needed for Technicolors 3D?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-01-2010, 06:16 PM:

quote: Steve Guttag
Also, I noted that one is not REQUIRED to use a gain screen.

I noted that too if you read all the way through.

Richard...

The other company's light level requirements are similar.

Mark

Posted by Jack Theakston (Member # 4484) on 11-01-2010, 07:11 PM:

Thank you for the info. But what does Panavision's system use?

Posted by Jack Theakston (Member # 4484) on 11-02-2010, 06:03 PM:

According to press releases, this seems to be a similar/same system as Dolby. One review said their output on a matte white was 7.5 fL. Anyone else get these sort of readings?

Panavision claims that this system is compatible with film. My understanding was that the Dolby system was not. Is this true?

Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 11-02-2010, 06:21 PM:

Panavision requires 30-35ft lamberts in the middle with around 75% of that on the sides. With their lens in place, you need a minimum of 4.5ft lamberts.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 11-03-2010, 11:40 AM:

What happens if such a theatre (or a Tech 3D theatre) wants to show a 2D feature? Do they show it at 30fL, or do they reduce the image brightness by some method (reduced lamp current, defocusing lamp, ND filter on lens or gel on port glass, etc.)?

Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 11-03-2010, 01:59 PM:

You would just defocus the lamp.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 11-03-2010, 08:03 PM:

That, actually, doesn't really work. Yes the light reduces...but you get artifacts with it...chromatic as well as uniformity issues.

Get stop down rings for the 2D lenses and get better depth of focus.

Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 11-04-2010, 02:19 PM:

I haven't had any issues doing it that way.

Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 12-04-2010, 08:42 AM:

Just installed the first Panavision setup. Was fairly simple since I had already upgraded the lamphouse. We were able to use the scope plate that was there for scope movies. You do have to mask off the porthole slighly. Light output was 46ft lamberts fairly even with scope lens. Even though I was told no more than 35ft lamberts. They said it was fine. We read 12ft lamberts with the 3-D lens in place and no film. We did not have a film to test it so we will have to wait until the 17th.

Posted by Jonathan Smith (Member # 5609) on 12-04-2010, 12:22 PM:

Well there does come a point where the brightness of the projector will noticeably fade color dyes over a lengthy projection run (a movie with legs like "Avatar" or "Basterds" or "Shutter Island.")