Correction Regarding Prototype DLP Theatrical Digital Projector
The following letter was sent to Editor Gary from Ian McMurray of Texas Instruments regarding the prototype DLP Theatrical Digital Projector written about in the news story dated July 27 ""Prototype Digital Projector Unveiled."" Dear Gary First, many thanks for the excellent coverage you have given to what we've been doing with DLP Cinema, especially in relation to our involvement in the all-digital screenings of ""Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace."" However, it's important that I ask you to correct a misapprehension contained in the above article. The projectors used in the screenings of both the new ""Star Wars"" movie and ""Tarzan"" were/are DLP Cinema prototype projectors, designed and built by Texas Instruments. Digital Projection/Ballantyne and the recently announced ""Thunder"" product were not involved in any way. The reason this is an important misapprehension, and one which we would be grateful if you could correct for your readers, is that DLP Cinema technology is not yet commercially available, nor is it used by any projector manufacturer currently using DLP technology. DLP Cinema technology is DLP technology specifically adapted/optimized for digital cinema: the differences include a higher contrast ratio (>1,000:1) for DLP Cinema, greater bit depth used in color processing and a different color space - all prerequisites for delivering an image that is ""film like"" or better. We are continuing to develop DLP Cinema technology and to test it with a view to establishing final requirements before discussing commercial DLP Cinema-based products with projector manufacturers. I'm sure you can understand that it's very important to us, in terms of our positioning of DLP Cinema, that there not be any confusion in the minds of audiences as to what it is, its availability etc. If you have any questions, please contact Ian McMurray at +44-1604-663075 or Fax +44-1604-663099 or Email: i-mcmurray@ti.com. Texas Instruments 800 Pavilion Drive Northampton Business Park Northampton NN4 7YL England