My stupid question for today:
I don't go to the theaters often. We saw Blind Side last week, and that was the second time in the past 12 months. But the sign said it was digital. In the old days, the projector would shine light through film from the booth in the back onto the big screen in the front. So if there's no film, what method do they use to get the image so big without pixelation?

same technology as projection screen television I believe. But IIRC they use a giant video disc in the theater. They almost look like supersized laserdisc...

A high res "display"...

Basically, they shine it through a flat panel LCD without the backer on it.

Same as home digital projectors.. It is just a super high native resolution.

Have you never seen a digital projector? They use them at schools all the time. They are even phasing out old over head projectors with a digital unit

quote Optoma HD65 1280 x 720 DLP Home Theater Projector - Retail Cabinet Color: Silver Panel: 0.62" DarkChip2 DLP Technology by Texas Instruments Lens: 1.1x Manual Zoom and Focus Lamp: 180W, Estimate at 2000/3000(STD/ECO) Hours Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Native, 1.78:1, 5:4 and 4:3 Compatible Display Size: 26.5" to 348" Throw Distance: 3.9' to 32.8' Brightness: 1600 Lumens Model #: HD65 Item #: N82E16824219051 Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

I assume that's a diagonal corner to corner like screens are measured. 348" would be a 29' diagonal, and this is a home version.

A arcade I used to go to had something like this for Streetfighter, a long time back. The game characters litterally were life sized.

[This message has been edited by Khw (edited 12-15-2009).]

quote Originally posted by LitebulbwithaFiero: Have you never seen a digital projector? They use them at schools all the time. They are even phasing out old over head projectors with a digital unit

I've seen powerpoint's from those funny boxes hanging from the ceiling, but that's nothing close to the quality (or size) of a nice big movie theater. Or is it?

quote Originally posted by Cheever3000: I've seen powerpoint's from those funny boxes hanging from the ceiling, but that's nothing close to the quality (or size) of a nice big movie theater. Or is it?

Nope. They are different. Same basic principle, just different technology.

Same thing. The differences are the same as tv's. The one you saw the presentation from probably was like the older TV's where they are just one big tube. By what some one else said, the movie theater is like an lcd tv.

quote Originally posted by LitebulbwithaFiero: Have you never seen a digital projector? They use them at schools all the time. They are even phasing out old over head projectors with a digital unit

When I was in school we used over head projectors. And slide rules. And mimeographs. And filmstrips, because apparently a full movie or individual slides were too expensive.
What a shame today's generation won't be able to experience the intoxicating scent of a fresh of the drum mimeograph.

[This message has been edited by Formula88 (edited 12-15-2009).]

Ahh mimeograph, what a great scent. And I really miss the beep to warn you to change to the next pic on the film strip. Could be a bit of a problem if you get lost while operating the projector.... jm

They'd use something like NEC Cinema projectors http://www.nec-pj.com/produ...dlpcinema/index.html

A short guide http://www.bigscreen.com/about/help.php?id=36

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[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 12-15-2009).]