Sony used CinemaCon 2018 to introduce the SRX-R815P, a 15K lumen, 10,000:1 laser phosphor projector aimed at the cinema market, along with the SRX-R815DS, the dual stack version that uses two of these 815R projectors to reach 30K lumens for bigger screens. The 815P features a trio of 4H-DCI resolution SRDX LCOS panels and is said to be “HDR ready” which means the EclairColor HDR EOTF (gamma 2.8) is loaded onto the projector.
The new SRX-R815P model is Sony’s first digital cinema projection system using a laser phosphor light source. It features a rotating yellow phosphor wheel that has perhaps the best lifetime we have seen to date: 35K hours to 80% of initial brightness. Other models in the cinema line are shown in the graphic.
Contrast has moved up from 8,000:1 on previous cinema models to 10,000:1 and it is capable of high frame rates too, although they did not specify what frame rate that actually means.
Sony also showed a graphic showing the range of luminance levels for SDR and HDR projection. Note that in their definition of HDR, the peak luminance is 30fL (around 100 cd/m²) and the black level simply shifts up. The R800 series has better contrast than DLP-based high contrast models or RGB laser projectors at 6,000:1. But, to achieve 30fL on screen requires the screen size be matched to the projector light output. In the demo we saw at CinemaCon, we guessed the screen size was about 30 feet (9.1m) wide and was producing peak white levels a bit above 30fL.
The Sony laser phosphor projection system at CinemaCon featured a sound solution provided by Meyer Sound Laboratories Inc.
3D projection will be done as it is now using a new lens system that splits the image into two paths with the 3D content formatted in a top/bottom configuration (so 2K per eye). This was not shown at CinemaCon, however.
What was shown was a 4K bumper, a Meyer Sound trailer, an SDR trailer, an Eclair HDR bumper and an animated piece called “The Dig.” The projector switches seamlessly between SDR and EclairColor HDR content. Images looked quite good (Eclair thought it was the best images on the show floor).
The first U.S. roll-outs of SRX-R815P projectors are set to begin at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (25 projectors) and Star Cinema Grill locations (30 projectors), continuing over the next 18 months. Each exhibitor has cited the operational benefits of laser: longer-lasting light source, high contrast and brightness, all combining to enhance the movie-going experience.
In Europe, two SRX-R815DS, dual 4K laser projection systems using two sets of SRX-R815P, have been purchased by Cinecittà Nürnberg, one of Europe’s largest and most technically advanced multiplexes and a further SRX-R815DS by CineSpace for its luxurious Waterfront complex in Bremen, Germany. Plus, multiplex operator Cinéplanet has just this month installed France’s first SRX-R815DS.
In China, laser projection systems are becoming first choice of large theatre chains. Huaxia, Xingfulanhai and Jinyi, three of China’s top 10 biggest cinema chains chose Sony 4K laser projection system. – CC
