Screens suitable for 4K Laser AND 35/70mm?

[Ryan Gallagher]

The LED displays threads got me thinking about the fact that 35/70mm mixed use venues that wish to keep that capacity can probably never go LED, cause it would require two separate screens occupying space in the fly house.

But similarly, if we were to eventually upgrade to a 4K Laser. Are their suitable screen fabrics that are not a huge compromise for both 4K Laser and 35/70mm?

I believe was have a screen with a slight gain value now... and my understanding of laser is you want a matte white low or no gain screen, with possibly different "micro-perf" configuration for laser.

We don't show 3D now, so at least we are not dealing with high gain requirements.

[Sascha Roll]

I can recommend Harkness DP, but I'm sure MDI Strong has something similiar:

https://www.harkness-screens.com/digital-perforations

[Paul Finn]

Has anyone, probably in Europe, used high quality AV Stumpfl screens?

Thank you, Paul Finn

[Ryan Gallagher]

Has anyone, probably in Europe, used high quality AV Stumpfl screens?

Thank you, Paul Finn

We use those in the AV industry here in the states all the time. Their frame designs and tendency for the fabrics to be stretchy enough for easy assembly are top tier compared to many competitors. I actually don’t hate them like I do most (see da-lite fast-fold). I also prefer the Stumpfl case designs too.

Our small flown event screen here is about to be replaced with a stumpfl, although I don’t think my superiors sprung for the black annodized frame, would have been nice for our application.

Can’t speak to their fabric choices for cinema use though.

[Marcel Birgelen]

The LED displays threads got me thinking about the fact that 35/70mm mixed use venues that wish to keep that capacity can probably never go LED, cause it would require two separate screens occupying space in the fly house.

But similarly, if we were to eventually upgrade to a 4K Laser. Are their suitable screen fabrics that are not a huge compromise for both 4K Laser and 35/70mm?

I believe was have a screen with a slight gain value now... and my understanding of laser is you want a matte white low or no gain screen, with possibly different "micro-perf" configuration for laser.

You want no gain and preferably a randomized perforation pattern for laser, especially the 3P/6P laser systems to avoid speckle. Micro-perf is only required if normal perforations would be visible in first row, that's usually only the case in small rooms or screening rooms. This same screen should be compatible with 35/70mm, alas, I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't be compatible. Maybe, if you used a high-gain screen before to hit minimum specs, you should be looking towards a lamp and or lamp house upgrade anyway... nobody really should use a high gain screen, those things are evil hacks to begin with.

While there are LED screens made to be flown, I'm not so sure if current DCI LED screens are built for this. But the LED screen and the projection screen do not need to be in the same focus plane, so one can be in front of the other. Anyway, flying the screen is something exclusive for houses that do have an actual stage house. Most venues built as an exclusive cinema, definitely do not. For them, moving the screen out of the way will be a major pita.

If you could use general commercial available LED screens, you could opt for a more modular solution that could be moved in segments, but all the DCI compliant solutions I've seen, are pretty fixed, most of them even with secure enclosures, which are not to be touched after installation.

[Steve Guttag]

Most matte-white screens should be fine for both film and digital. In fact, most gain screens should be fine to, aside from their narrower distribution/hot-spotting. In the US, the usual suspects have viable options (Strong-MDI, Harkness, Severtson and...on the pricier side but more-gooder side, Stewart). I definitely have used all of the brands with film and digital/video.

The perforation pattern will be a bigger deal with digital since digital is a grid pattern that can interact with the perforations. Film's granular nature doesn't have that issue.

[Ryan Gallagher]

Thanks for the clarifications on when micro perfs are justified Marcel. I also read that microperfs can boost perceived brightness (less missing screen fabric), but that may just be marketing wank.

Our 1st row distance is about 12ft. But people usually avoid it unless we sell out. Unaware if that is considered “close” by 4K auditorium design standards.

Noted on the lamp to gain relationship, we are using the largest “official” lamps in our Ultra80s, but I’ve been told they can easily go higher if airflow is adequate. Learning where we are now on flat/scope/70mm brightness is on my todo list, been keeping my eye out for a decent meter other than my phone or a non calibrated harness screen checker.

Current screen is a Strong/MDI but learning the exact gain may require some research. I’m sure it is not as effective as it was in 2018 when new and dust free.

Obviously we do 2K xenon digital and analog now. Was just curious if 4K Laser changes the fabric ideals.