What Professional 3D Projection Systems Are Being Considered For Movie Theaters?

May 15, 2007 10:27 PM

What 3D Projection Systems Are Movie Theaters Likely to Install?

I am doing some preliminary research on 3D Projection Systems. As you may be aware, Jim Cameron and other filmmakers and production companies are moving to the 3D format in a big way. The question is, what companies are developing the projection systems, and which format is likely to win out with theater owners? If anyone has any knowledge or links to information about this arena, I would be most appreciative.

posted by DudeAsInCool to technology (6 comments total)

Im pretty sure theyre all going for imax. Hav a look at the imax3d section on wikipedia here. There are a few different ways of displaying the 3D part of it, but that depends on the movie theatre. Is that what you were after?
posted by phyle at 11:09 PM on May 15, 2007

It's a start. I have heard there are at least 3 competing projection systems. So, if anyone else has heard anything, let me know.
posted by DudeAsInCool at 1:32 AM on May 16, 2007

Disney Digital 3D (by way of Meet the Robinsons) is in one theater here. The wiki page lists all of the features and stuff, so I'll just add that it's the first 3D movie I've really seen, as the plastic polarizing glasses actually fit over my normal glasses and I'm horribly nearsighted. It seemed to work pretty well, and wasn't nausea inducing. (Downsides: it's only in the expensive theater, which is a few dollars more expensive per ticket [plus expensive popcorn] then the other theaters... they charge extra for the glasses, as opposed to seeing the non-3D version at the same expensive theater... and they charge more for putting you in the "directors studio"....)
posted by anaelith at 10:19 AM on May 16, 2007

In-Three is the one that Spielberg and George Lucas and Robert Rodriguez were drooling over awhile back. Their system only uses one digital projector, which is able to produce two overlaid images. And it can be applied to pretty much anything, i.e. re-releasing old movies Now In 3-D^TM

There was talk of redoing all of the Star Wars flicks through this system, which is a pretty good way to get a chunk of theaters to install it.
posted by dogwalker at 10:20 AM on May 16, 2007

Excellent. I really appreciate your feedback. I don't think the general public is aware yet about how significant a move this is going to be.
posted by DudeAsInCool at 1:15 PM on May 16, 2007

I think Disney Digital 3D (which also uses one projector) has a strong chance of being a dominant format here. As a pixar animator once said, "G rated equals G money". I saw Meet the Robinsons as well and I was stunned by the quality of the effect, especially compared to IMAX 3D (which appears to have a lot of image bleed and ghosting). The technology is reportedly a relatively inexpensive add-on to existing digital projectors, so the adoption curve may have some kick in it over the next few years.
posted by ulotrichous at 8:30 AM on May 18, 2007