Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Temporary Dolby 3D install on a 2D projector?

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Posted by Karel Bata (Member # 7300) on 08-04-2014, 07:12 AM:

Hi,

I'm organising some 3D screenings, and one venue we're very keen on is 2D. It has a NEC NC2000C projector. spec

We're thinking of using a Dolby 3D system as a temp bolt-on. This system used to be notorious for being a bit dark, but the one I saw at the Barbican cinema London recently was surprisingly bright.

Dolby Cinema System

Anyone here ever done this? Any advice? Is the projector likely to need a software upgrade? Any comments on brightness?

BTW Anyone got an inside track in to Dolby UK?

Cheers! [Wink]

Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 08-04-2014, 09:35 AM:

Karel,

We installed the equipment in the Barbican, it's well specified so yes, there is plenty of light available and the Dolby 3D looks exactly as it should.

Dolby UK screening dept. can and do install temporary 3D for festivals, premieres etc. I can put you in touch with the right people if needs be.

Pete

Posted by Marcel Birgelen (Member # 6801) on 08-04-2014, 09:40 AM:

Euhm, the Dolby 3D system is not a "bolt on" system, it's rather a "bolt in" system, because it's installed in the light path of your projector.

If you're looking for a temporary solution, I guess you're better off with many of the "bolt on" solutions either using Z-Screen polarizers (e.g. RealD, Volfoni, MasterImage, etc.) or shutter glasses (e.g. XPand).

The only problem is, for polarized solutions, you need a silver screen (or one of those flashy new white screens that don't destroy polarization).

Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 08-04-2014, 11:04 AM:

Marcel, Dolby UK screening support can and do provide temporary installations.

Here at any rate you can pretty much forget using silver screens for festivals or premieres. It's simply discounted due to the hotspot.

Posted by Marcel Birgelen (Member # 6801) on 08-04-2014, 12:01 PM:

I also dislike silver screens, hotspot issues, the extreme fragility and quite a few other issues. But active glasses don't require one and are about as expensive as the Dolby glasses.

I didn't know that Dolby also offers temporary installs on rental basis, especially since the kit (the color filter part) is tailored to your projector type and needs to be installed into the projector.

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 08-04-2014, 12:02 PM:

Dolby 3D is not dark. It has the lowest light efficiency of the group which means you will need more light than any other competitor to achieve the same 3D brightness.
But it does NOT mean it will be darker.

Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 08-04-2014, 12:28 PM:

Marcel, they have a few different projectors at Wooton Basset for testing and screening purposes so I guess they also have the 3D kits for same purpose. Up here they've hire the 3D kit to the venue and provided a technician.

Marco, you're bang on the money with that statement. Many cannot seem to understand this simple bit of mathematical reasoning.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-04-2014, 01:07 PM:

Be sure to get a higher output lamp for the NC-2000!

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 08-04-2014, 01:53 PM:

So, Karel, what screen size and type is it at your location?

NC2000 and screen size/type then put a natural limit on achievable 3D brightness.

- Carsten

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-04-2014, 06:35 PM:

If this is just temporary Xpand would be a whole lot easier to install and deal with!

Mark

Posted by Karel Bata (Member # 7300) on 09-01-2014, 03:51 AM:

Aw damn. I somehow missed the replies on this topic. I thought I was subscribed, and I was certain I had checked back. (Could an old version of the page have got cached?)

This query concerns the first London 3D Film Festival, which was scheduled for November, but is now taking place in April (due to a lot of politics). I'm updating the logos today.

We've looked at a number of venues, and one favourite was the Prince Charles off Leicester Square - the one with the NC200. The audience - young, film buffs, a haven for emerging film-makers, was excellent for a fest intended to showcase and champion independent 3D film. However the mod, as mentioned above, is not so much a bolt-on but more of a bolt-in, and (unless I've misunderstood something) the projector doesn't have a capability for that. Not an easy one at least. Happy to learn I'm wrong though (?)

We're now talking to Vue around the corner who are 3D equipped, and have even offered to put in a bright bulb for us.

Thanks for the replies. Really sorry I missed this, but if the projector wasn't going to do it anyway...

Cheers!

L3DFF website

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 09-01-2014, 06:01 AM:

Dolby 3D is indeed a bolt-in, but from a technicians perspective, it doesn't make a real difference. It basically takes the same time as it takes to mount any other 3D system.

Since the light efficiency is so low for Dolby 3D, it is certainly worth considering screen size/type vs. max available bulb size for the NC2000.
VUE will probably have Sony systems installed, with RealD systems for 3D.

- Carsten

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 09-01-2014, 12:46 PM:

"It basically takes the same time as it takes to mount any other 3D system"
Woah! That really depends on the projector, I haven't tried on a NC2000 but have spent hours disassembling and reassembling a Barco (20C I think...). Barco recommends having Dolby 3D as a factory install on these, and not doing it in the field.
Bolting on a Real-D unit takes maybe 30 minutes if you have done it before, plus another 1/2-1 hour for alignment (if it's an XL) and color setup. Dolby 3D color setup takes quite a bit longer as well.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 09-01-2014, 07:36 PM:

That's the good thing about the crude design of the NEC machines. You just tear down the side panels and off you go:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzB6YUPuyus

Plus we were talking about Dolbys own UK techs, they do it all the time.

- Carsten

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 09-01-2014, 10:20 PM:

I've done a number of Dolbly 3-D's on NC-2000's and it's uber easy. All the cut outs and slots/mounting holes are already there.

Mark

Posted by Karel Bata (Member # 7300) on 09-02-2014, 04:59 AM:

Very encouraging guys. Thanks. I'll keep you posted.

BTW I still don't get email notifications of posts here.