New Film-Based 35mm System To OfferSuperior Image Quality

A new 35mm-based film theatre projection system, four years in the making, promises to revolutionize the exhibition business and provide a boost to studio and theatre ownersí bottom lines.MaxiVision 48, as it is called by its designer, Dean Goodhill, is said to offer a far crisper image than current 35mm projectors - or any of the digital systems that recently have made huge strides in emulating film quality. And because much of the traditional projector system remains the same, the cost of upgrading will be a small fraction of the $100,000 or so per-screen digital units are expected to cost.While only one prototype of the system exists, those who have seen it report that the image projected is superior to anything in theatres today. But such image quality on film is not achieved inexpensively. Because the system runs at 48 frames per second instead of the standard 24 frames per second, the cost of release prints and shooting stock will actually be higher than with standard 35mm.MaxiVisionís ability to play prints formatted in traditional 1.85:1 spherical flat or anamorphic scope, which use four perforations per frame, is a key feature of the system. MaxiVision uses a three-perf pulldown and can switch from one format to the other on the fly using a new computer controlled electronic projector head and motor created by San Luis Obispo-based Trust Automation. Goodhill says backward compatibility with existing 35mm formats is what separates MaxiVision form previous failed attempts at alternative film formats, such as Todd-AOís Compact Distribution Print and ShowScan.Other elements of the MaxiVision system are to include features such as film registration to provide a steadier image, a vacuum-based film cleaning system and constant equipment monitoring via the Internet.The MaxiVision system poses questions for Hollywood. While the image quality is what is attracting the attention of filmmakers and studio executives, will quality be enough to stop the digital revolution with its promise of potential cost savings? With affordable electronic projection steadily becoming available for home theatre, will exhibition need to offer viewers an even better pristine image quality to get viewers to go out to the movies? Can MaxiVision successfully gain acceptance with the studios and exhibitors, and the moviegoing public?