Viewing 2.35:1 and 1.78:1 movies

nietzscheman -- Sun, 10/08/2006 - 17:02

Hi everyone!

This is my first post to this forum. I am ready to upgrade my old Mitubishi 63" big screen television to an overhead projector and fixed on-wall screen.

I would really like to be able to watch both 2.35:1 Cinemascope movies and 1.85:1 Widescreen movies and HDTV using a constant screen height.

In other words, I would like to start with an anamorphic wall-mounted screen such as Stewart's CineCurve that starts at 2.35:1 and masks the sides when watching content in smaller aspect ratios.

What projectors are available today that can accomplish this? The only one I have seen is Runco with their CineWide technology. Can I accomplish the same thing with say the new Sony VPL-VW50 "Pearl" with an anamorhic lense attachment?

Are there other screen companies that produce screens that can accomplish this other than Stewart?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Michael

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Robert Harley -- Wed, 10/11/2006 - 15:36

A number of companies introduced projectors with an anamorphic lens option that will allow you to do what you described. (See our CEDIA report on avguide.com for specific information.) The Sony VPL-VW50 "Pearl" does not have this capability. In addition the anamorphic lens, you also need video processing to expand the image vertically before the signal is input to the projector.

Robert Harley
Editor-in-Chief
The Absolute Sound
The Perfect Vision

scottwilkinson -- Sun, 10/22/2006 - 16:25

Among the projector companies that now or soon will offer anamorphic lens options are Runco, Vidikron, BenQ, Digital Projection, SIM2, and Optoma. In addition to Stewart, Screen Research offers a 2.35 curved screen with masking. However, be prepared to spend a lot on these systems; the anamorphic lens alone is at least $5000 (much more if it's on a motorized sled), and the big curved screens are in the $10k range.

More important, I'm not convinced that constant-height projection is the best way to go. To produce a 2.35 image, the signal must be electronically processed to stretch it vertically so the anamorphic lens can stretch it horizontally. As with any processing, this can introduce undesirable artifacts to the image. I don't have much direct experience with this technology yet, but I intend to as soon as I can.

Scott Wilkinson
Video Editor
The Perfect Vision