ILA(R) projector technology for electronic cinema applications

The use of video for the replacement of 35 mm film presentation (electronic cinema) offers many potential advantages in the production, distribution, and exhibition of motion pictures. A key enabling component for electronic cinema is the video projector which must provide the image quality and brightness required to replace film projection in a theatre venue. New ILA(R) projectors have been developed to meet these stringent requirements. ILA(R) projectors provide up to 12000 lumens, greater than 2000 TV lines of horizontal resolution, and over 1000:1 sequential contrast ratio. The unique ILA design has no pixel structure so that film-like images are projected. The paper discusses these requirements for electronic cinema and reviews the ILA projector technology and performance.