Tweet
Christie 2210 lamp brightness
Looking for some advice. Have multiple Christie 2210 projectors that are experiencing lower brightness on screen. Have thoroughly cleaned the projector light paths, am using Christie CDXL-16M bulbs, turned off lamp-loc, and adjusted the intensity manually. The issue is noticed especially in films with dark scenes (ex. Jurassic), which there seems to be more of lately. I understand that as the light engine ages, light intensity is impacted, but am wondering if anyone has experienced this and how you resolved it. Is the only choice to go to a bulb with higher lumens like the CDXL-18SD?
-
-
The biggest thing that ages in the lamp path is the reflector. Moving to the next larger lamp is definitely the fast solution (and likely cheaper...reflectors are not cheap and the incremental increase in lamp cost will take many lamps to overcome. But, changing the reflectors will likely get you a lot more light...even if they look perfectly fine, right now.
The entire light path from light pipe through the prism will also yield a lot more light if it is cleaned. When I work with Barco projectors, where light engine swaps are more common to deal with issues rather than just changing the prism and DMDs...the increase in light, including uniformity is notable. -
I'm not sure about the CP2210 specifically, but on some earlier Christie Series 2 projectors I've serviced (full disclosure: around 90% of the service work I do is on Barcos and NECs, and so my Christie knowledge is limited), the lamphouse is parallel with the card cage on the other side of the projector, not at the back, meaning that there is no cold mirror, light pipe, or integrator rod. The beam from the lamp fires straight into the light engine, with the dowser being positioned between the lamphouse and the light engine compartment, rather than an integral component of the light engine.Originally posted by Steve Guttag
If Sarah's projector is one of these, then the reflector, light engine components, and lens are the only possible suspects (within the projector: if the light loss has happened gradually over many years, the screen could also be a factor). Agreed completely with Steve, and especially if the projector is close to, or over a decade old. In that scenario, running the next size up of lamp for the remainder of the projector's viable service life will very likely cost less than a new reflector.Comment
-
CP2210, that is the younger sibling of 2000-M, which was Series 1, and pretty much the older sibling of Solaria One, does have the lamp house on the back, like -say- an NC1200. Because of the small lamps it used, there was no yoke for the lamp. At least that is what I remember with Solaria.
What you are referring to is probably CP2220, the younger sibling of CP2000-ZX, has indeed the dowser at the lamp house, which is indeed on the left side (facing the screen), but the really short "integrator assembly" is still there, on the other side of that hole. And, interesting thing, you can access the folding mirror from the front of the projector! (Doesn't that remind you of some film projectors and the access to focus the lamp?)Comment
-
I'm having similar issues with my Christie Solaria One's - lots of brightness issues and the manual tweaks can only do so much. To me going to the brighter bulb (using 16's now) is not a great solution because the brighter bulb costs a lot more and has half the life span. I've been told that a "reflector retrofit" (or something like that) would be available at some point. But for now I have same issues with no good solution....Originally posted by Sarah Homer View Post
Comment
-
Leo,
The CP2210 and CP2215 does have a similar light path to Barco and NEC xenon systems. But even the larger CP2220, CP2230 and the 4K variants only eliminate the cold mirror. You still have the light pipe, internal optics, fold mirror and the prism/DMD stuff.
Regardless, the reflector is a primary contributor to a reduction in light. They age the fastest. They are not cheap however. Be prepared to pay 6-10 times what you pay for a lamp for a reflector set and then someone to install and align it.
The light path can continue to consume light too.Comment
-
We have two CP2220s at my theatre. I'd be tempted to try to measure the fall off your are observing, even if it was just a phone light meter for a rough comparison. If you are tech Sarah ignore this reply.
How do they meter at projector peak white? Quantifying the sensation of "lower brightness" might be a worthwhile endeavor. See if there is much variation across them with relatively new lamps? If the rooms are identically fitted you could even compare with the screen variable involved too.
Also it goes without saying, not that I think this is a variable here, but if one accidentally cues up HDR or DVIS dcps... those will often play depending on your Server/IMB situation, but could be interpreted as just looking dimmer on screen. Would typically require a key, so hard mistake to make except with trailers.
Comment
-
If optical path and light engine cleaning do not result in the expected improvement and light output remains significantly low, especially if there has been a sudden drop in brightness this may be due to deformation of the cast aluminum part that resembles a "stargate" and holds the reflector in place.
Additionally, there is a T-shaped component that connects the reflector to the main chassis. If this part is also deformed, it may prevent proper focusing.
Both of these components are available as spare parts through Christie and trained technician should be able to replace it easily.
CHRISTIE CENTER STRUCTURE PLATE (Part No: 003-007081-01 T-Shaped part)
CHRISTIE REFLECTOR MOUNTING PLATE (Part No: 003-007375-01 Looks like Stargate)
Comment
-
Hi Everyone,
Agreed with Steve and Mete, It will be the defective reflector, I have replaced a number of these to remedy low light issues in CP2210. Replacing the reflector assembly will restore light output, One I had I was only getting 4fL after the replacement reflector it was over 18fL. Another way to confirm this is when adjusting the lamp, if moving the lamp adjustment up or down the light will wander diagonally on screen due to the distorted shape of the reflector.
Cheers FraserComment
-
If this was a film projector, with no integration rod and no cold mirrors, folding mirrors, etc. that are not perpendicular between them, that hypothesis would have been more reasonable.Originally posted by Fraser Falconer View PostComment
-
Hi Ioannis,
You can actually defocus the lamp Z Axis enough in the CP2210 to see the lamp position, and then adjusting the X or Y Axis see the hot spot wander over the screen as the Axis are adjusted. I have done this myself, In trying to get enough light out of a 2210 while I waited for a replacement reflector. Totally agree, it is nowhere as pronounced as it is in the good old days of 35mm.
Cheers FraserComment
Comment