THXÆ Announces Specification For Electronic Cinema Projectors
Presaging the transition from 35mm film to electronic cinema, Lucasfilm THXÆ has announced a specification for electronic cinema projectors as part of the THX Theatre Program. As well at the recent ShoWest theatre exhibitors convention in Las Vegas in March, the company announced future plans to certify electronic masters and to develop standards for digital transmission schemes. The electronic cinema projector standard, announced at ShoWest, is designed to provide the same guarantee for electronic cinema that the THX Theatre Program has long provided for 35mm film presentations ó with the aim to present the very best possible theatre experience. ""The commercial inauguration of electronic cinema is not immediately imminent, but the development of a projector specification and our ongoing research into other areas of electronic cinema make it clear that THX is committed to lead rather than follow in exploring new technologies,"" said Monica L. Dashwood, Lucasfilm THX General Manager. ""All of which underscores our pledge to ensure that the public enjoys the highest quality film presentation."" The THX specification, according to company representatives, was developed to guide theatre owners in selecting an electronic projector that provides the best possible image, while also providing the reliability and ease-of-use of a traditional film projector. The specification covers such parameters as screen light levels, resolution, color uniformity, color temperature, and warm-up time to optimum performance. At this time, no projectors have been submitted for THX certification. However, the company will be working closely with manufacturers once product is ready to be introduced into the marketplace. ""The technical hurdles electronic projectors once faced have been overcome, but itís a complex technology with plenty of opportunities for image quality to be compromised,"" explained Dave Schnuelle, a consultant to THX and the engineer that directed the companyís electronic cinema research. ""The overriding goal with the THX electronic cinema specification is to deliver image and sound quality that exceeds the best that 35mm film can offer, and do so consistently over a long period of time and from one theatre to the next."" A critical step in electronic cinema will be the film-to-digital transfer and the creation of a high-definition electronic master. To ensure that the master looks and sounds as close to the original as possible, THX will certify electronic masters, a process THX has years of experience with through its Digital Mastering Programís certification of video software. THX has also begun researching various proposed transmission schemes, all of which would require signal compression, and plans to develop a standard that would guarantee against any compromise in picture and sound quality. The THX Group of Lucasfilm Ltd. is dedicated to ensuring excellent film presentation quality in theatres and homes through a series of specialized services. The THX Theatre Program works with the exhibition and postproduction community around the world to deliver an optimum cinema experience by installing certified THX System components. Home THX allows consumers to replicate that experience at home through Certified THX home theatre products available from leading audio/video manufacturers. For studios and filmmakers, THX provides comprehensive quality assurance services for theatrical film releases through its Theatre Alignment Program (TAP), and for DVD, LaserDisc and videotape releases through its THX Digital Mastering Program. For more information contact Kim Yost at 415 492 3995 or email yost@thx.com.