MovieMasti

New dimensions in film with Digital 3D

The stereoscopic era of motion pictures began in the late 1890s when a British film pioneer filed a patent for a 3D movie, The Power of Love, process using two projectors. Although many experiments were conducted over the next two decades, it wasn't until September 27, 1922 that the first confirmed 3D movie, The Power of Love, was shown to a paying audience at the Ambassador Theater in Los Angeles; however, the experience was disappointing due to glare.

Refining the 3D Movie Process

The first commercial full-color 3D film, using Polaroid filters to reduce glare, took place at the 1940s New York World's Fair. This short film, produced and shot by John A. Norling, showed the assembly of a Chrysler automobile. To view the 35 mm film, shown on two interlocked projectors, audience members wore eyewear that allowed the left eye image to be seen only by the left eye and vice versa; this technique reduced glare but did not eliminate it.

Although 3D presentations have improved over the last 60 years, today all theme parks and IMAX theaters use the same dual-projector setup to show movies shot on film. As a result of using two film projectors, cross-talk or ghosting (caused by small amounts of stray light) may result in headaches in audience members who tip their heads from side-to-side.

DLP Cinema systems have been deployed and tested commercially in theatres since 1999, providing more than seven years of in-field usage. And with the November 2005 release of Chicken Little – Disney’s first fully computer animated movie distributed in 3D format – the digital revolution arrived to stay.

100% digital DLP Cinema chip for an amazing 3D picture

DLP Cinema technology was the world's first digital 3D single projector solution for movie theaters and commercial use. By using just one projector to produce a 3D image, technical problems of yesteryear like cross-talk and ghosting, are virtually eliminated. What movie goers experience is precise, lifelike images in vibrant colors delivered through the millions of microscopic mirrors on the DLP Cinema chip. The chip acts as a light modulator or reflector, and not as a generator of light, resulting in an amazing 3D picture.

Experience 3D Movie Vision

There are two ways to view a digital 3D film: through active or passive glasses. Passive glasses are the most common type of eyewear used in today's digital 3D movie experience. These lightweight glasses are based on a polarization modulator and can be thrown away after watching the movie. The most widely used passive glasses for cinemas are provided by Realo; however, DLP Cinema 3D technology powers MasterImages and Dolby’s 3D passive glasses.

Transforming movie experiences across the country

Today there are more than 700 theaters in the country that offer the digital 3D experience powered by DLP Cinema technology. There are more theaters opening every day and more movies being made with the digital 3D experience in mind.

3D Eyewear: Close up

Active

Active eyewear devices are wireless battery-powered glasses with liquid crystal shutters that are run in synchrony with the video field rate. Synchronization information is communicated to the glasses by means of an infrared (IR) emitter. When the emitter recognizes the vertical blanking synchronization pulse through the computer’s video signal, it broadcasts coded IR pulses to signify when the left eye and right eye images are being displayed. The glasses incorporate an IR detection diode that detects the emitter’s signal and tells the shutters when to close and transmit. Although viewing a 3D movie with active glasses virtually eliminates ghosting, the glasses are expensive and need to be cleaned after every use.

Passive

An alternative to active glasses is the passive approach or ZScreen, which is a special kind of liquid crystal polarization modulator and requires theatres to install a silver screen. The ZScreen is placed in front of the DLP Cinema projector lens(es) like a sheet-polarizing filter. The device changes the characteristic of polarized light and switches between left- and right-handed circularly polarized light at field rate. The advantage of circular polarized light is that audience members may move their heads a lot more before the stereoscopic effect is lost. Passive glasses are made of either cardboard or plastic that cannot be sanitized and therefore are for one time use.

Ultra portable home entertainment.

New DLP Pico Multimedia Pocket projectors are the ultimate in ultra portable home entertainment. Imagine a mini projector that fits in the palm of your hand and easily connects to home entertainment and multimedia devices. These powerful LED illuminated projectors have built in speakers so all you need is the devise and you can be enjoying portable projection on practically any surface.

Home entertainment almost anywhere.

DLP Pico Projection Technology is the cutting edge of imaging innovations. It has taken projectors to a whole new level of portability. With a DLP Pico projector, the uses are endless. Enjoy a movie night with your family. Play video games on the ceiling. Share videos pictures with friends at the party. If you can dream it, a portable DLP Pico projector can probably do it.

DLP Pico Projection - leading the way in portable Pico Projector technology.

† Features may vary depending on the model

Meet your notebook computer’s new best friend

If you are a business professional on the go, you don’t want anything to weigh you down. But, you still need the tools to help you make an impression. The new Notebook Pocket Projectors powered by DLP Pico projector technology are the answer to helping you share ideas, present information or sit back and watch a movie on the wall – without the weight and heft of a traditional projector.

The new DLP Notebook Pocket Projectors offer extreme portability, yet pack a powerful punch. These projectors are so small that they fit in the palm of your and can way less that 1 pound. These tiny powerhouses use leading edge projection technology led by the innovative DLP Pico chipset.

Don’t let its size fool you.

Projectors are the must have tool to help you communicate for business. But who says that you can’t take one everywhere you go? With an ultra portable DLP Notebook Pocket Projector, you can have the power to project information anytime, anywhere. And, while the size may surprise you, the picture quality, featuring solid-state LED illumination, will grab anyone’s attention. With contrast ratios of up to 2000:1 and SVGA resolution the DLP Notebook Pocket Projector produces a sharp, clear and vibrant picture. And it’s bright enough to produce a suitable image for a small workgroup or team presentation.

Not just for business.

The new DLP Notebook Pocket Projectors aren’t just for business. They feature a quick-connect cable systems with a VGA and Composite connectors. Just plug it up to your laptop and play movies right from the DVD player of your notebook computer. Video games take on a whole new dimension with a larger than life image projected on practically any surface.

Don’t let your projector slow you down and take a huge step forward in ultra portable projection powered by DLP technology.

Pocket projection that goes where you do.

New DLP Pico Handheld projectors slip easily into your pocket. When you want to share pictures, videos, watch a movie, play video games or surf the net, just turn on the projector and project.

It’s the easy way to give an impromptu slide show. Use the available built-in memory or plug the projector in to your video iPod or other video playback device and watch that movie on a screen that you can actually SEE! This tiny pocket projector system also produces a picture that will blow your mind.

The ultimate in mobile projection!

No more lugging around projectors with your notebook computer. The DLP Pico projector is the ultimate travel companion. It’s bright enough to give a presentation to a small group of people. The first impression it will give to your audience will set the stage for a successful meeting with a captive audience.

Portable projectors have just changed.

DLP Pico Projection Technology is the cutting edge of imaging innovations. It has taken projectors to a whole new level of usefulness. With a DLP Pico projector, the uses are endless. Watch a movie on the plane from the back seat in front of you. Play video games on the ceiling. Share videos pictures with friends at the party. If you can dream it, a portable DLP Pico projector can probably do it.

DLP Pico Projection - leading the way in portable Pico Projector technology.

† Features may vary depending on the model

It’s a cell phone. It’s a projector. It’s both!

How many times have you wanted to share pictures, video, web pages or emails on your phone to someone else? Chances are it has probably been more times than you can remember. With a DLP Pico projector built into your cell phone, sharing images or video has taken on a whole new meaning. Image taking pictures with your cell phone camera and then sharing them instantly on any surface with a big projected image?

DLP Pico projectors are becoming available in a variety of cell phone models and more are on the horizon. It is the ultimate combination of convenience and multimedia advancement. And it will be the next “must-have” feature for your new cell phone.

DLP Pico Projection - leading the way in portable Pico Projector technology.

Ultra portable. Ultra cool.

DLP technology is famous for innovations in projection. The DLP Pico chipset is the latest example of how DLP is leading the way in projection technology. This amazing tiny projection technology is being used in a whole new line of ultra portable DLP Pico Projectors.

Imagine a portable projector that fits in the palm of your hand or is part of your cell phone. A projector that can fit in your pocket so you can project anything, anytime, anywhere while producing a picture that will blow your mind!

DLP Pico Projectors are available now making your portable projection possibilities endless.

Creating technology innovations for the 21st Century Classroom

We live in a wireless, seamless, digital, instant-access world of technological wonders that have transformed the way we learn, work and communicate. Educational institutions are seeking to implement the latest technology and eliminate antiquated teaching tools. DLP education projectors are helping overcome the “technology gap” and are transforming the way students learn in today’s schools and classrooms.

DLP projector technology is known for reliability, readability and a lower cost of maintenance. This is important because progressive teaching uses the projector as the hub of all collaborative activities in the classroom. As teachers rely more and more on their projectors, the technology that powers them is even more important than ever.

Students today live in a world of digital gadgets that deliver multiple dimensions to what they hear, see and touch. Now, technology can deliver that same interactivity and multi-dimensional curriculum to the classroom. The result: higher student involvement and higher test scores.

With a projector as the hub of the classroom, you can maximize the impact of lessons in subjects like:

• Math

  - Show how to solve a detailed math equation from a TI graphing calculator that even students in the back row can read.

• Science

  - Use a digital camera to show the details of your latest dissection by projecting the video and images to the entire science class.

• History

  - Travel to far-off places through the internet. And visit historic sites and museums in 3D!

• English

  - Have students diagram a compound sentence on an interactive whiteboard for collaborative learning.

Effective communication

Imagine the possibilities of a classroom designed around a DLP projector system. The most complex lessons can be brought to life though integration of virtually every teaching tool under the sun with the projector system.

New teaching tools

A DLP education projector can help improve student performance by encouraging greater classroom participation to increase the retention of the content being displayed. From video game style role-playing and interactive simulations and digital imaging-based presentations, to engaging Internet excursions, students get so much more from the curriculum when it’s experienced through the brilliance and clarity of a DLP projector.

Create a new level of interaction with DLP projectors

We live in a wireless, seamless, digital, instant-access world of technological wonders that have transformed the way we work and communicate. Many businesses seek to implement the latest projector technology to enhance presentations and provide a reliable tool for everyday use. DLP projector systems are helping overcome the “technology gap” and are transforming the way businesses communicate.

Technology integration

DLP technology is a leading-edge, digital imaging technology that not only projects images with incredible brilliance, clarity and reliability, but also helps maximize the productiveness of all collaborative activity in the workplace environment.

Through seamless integration with other tools like video equipment, laptops, conferencing systems, interactive whiteboards and other tools, DLP projectors maximize the impact of information being presented.

• For large meetings

  

  Projectors designed for larger screens can offer a bright, vibrant image of the presented materials that is easy to read from the back row. Video, slides and other key presentation materials will be easy to share with a large group of people.

• For smaller meetings

  

  Projectors are an invaluable tool for presentations. Connecting a PC to the projector allows for viewing of prepared slides, content on the Internet, videos, still images and more. DLP projectors offer the kind of reliability that means you won’t have to worry about whether or not the projector will be ready to go when you are. That leaves you more time to focus on meeting your clients needs and less on whether your presentation will actually work.

• For major events

  

  Large business events and network gatherings take on a new dimension when projectors are used to communicate. Videos, still images and other content can be used to set the stage for an event and provide a powerful means to share information. Special events and tradeshows are prime opportunities to use DLP projectors to communicate your key business messages to a wide audience.

Effective communication

Imagine the possibilities of a facility designed around a DLP® projection system. The most critical business presentations and company meetings will be polished and professional with the integration of virtually every technology tool available with the projection system for powerful results.

Improved retention

The projection system can help improve retention of information and increase participation from people in your meetings. With projectors throughout your business facilities, you will encourage teams to use visual tools to help communicate with each other. The results include better interaction within your business and clients and more productive meetings.

Movies and TV will take on a whole new level of WOW!

Home theater projectors powered by DLP technology offer incredible picture quality. Due to the speed of the DLP chip, video is smooth and film-like. Fast action video is sharp and clear without all of the motion blur that may be seen in other technologies.

Plus, many DLP projectors feature BrilliantColor™ technology which uses up to 6 separate colors to create the image on the screen. The result is stunning, vibrant colors that are natural and accurate. Video enthusiasts agree that when it comes to home theater video performance, look no further than DLP technology.

DLP home theater projectors – more than just great movies!

Because of the Digital Cinema connection, DLP technology is famous for delivering an incredible picture on the screen. However, your new DLP home theater projector can do so much more than displaying movies on the big screen.

• Video games larger than life

  

  If you are into video gaming, you have to experience the action through a DLP projector. Imagine playing video games that are larger than life on a huge screen. Racing takes on a whole new dimension. Sports games draw you in as if you are really there.

• Watch High Definition TV on the big screen

  

  It’s easy to connect satellite TV or cable directly into a DLP home theater projector. Many DLP projectors are also HDTV compatible. There’s nothing quite like watching the big game on a really big screen in HD 1080p. With DLP projectors, you’ll see every detail in stunning clarity!

• Surf the net in style

  

  Projectors powered by DLP technology can easily be connected to any computer. You can surf the net, play computer video games, or even do email, all on a huge screen in the comfort of your home theater. You’ll never look at the Internet the same way!

The reliable, proven Digital Cinema platform will soon offer more resolution options.

In 1999, DLP Cinema forever changed the movie-going experience by introducing audiences to Digital Cinema. Those two original screens have grown to over 15,000 in over 40 countries, making DLP Cinema technology the industry standard for efficient, reliable digital cinema. Soon, a new extension to the popular DLP Cinema 2K platform will debut. DLP Cinema Enhanced 4K.

What is Enhanced 4K? It’s the only Digital Cinema solution for the largest screens in the world. With DLP Cinema Enhanced 4K, you can illuminate screens up to 100 feet. With this extension DLP Cinema line up, you will have two flexible platforms that deliver the perfect combination of performance and value for every screen. DLP Cinema 2K is a perfect fit for screens up to 70 feet as well featuring reliable performance, pristine picture and optional single-projector 3D capabilities.

Reliability counts

For theater management, the only thing worse than running out of popcorn is a dark screen. With 99.999%* up time, DLP Cinema projectors allow theater management to focus on the customer instead of worrying about the presentation. After years of successful deployments and tens of thousands of screens worldwide, DLP Cinema is a proven technology that delivers a picture perfect presentation every showing while offering the lowest operating cost.

Ask your Digital Cinema projector manufacturer about the advantages of DLP Cinema technology and experience what reliable Digital Cinema can do for your business. Your customers and your technicians will love it.

* Based off of deployments for Christie Digital CP series.

Millions of tiny mirrors make the images amazing

DLP Cinema technology delivers crystal clear and lifelike images for the ultimate in motion picture quality. DLP Cinema technology delivers a true digital picture with incredible clarity and vibrant colors every show.

Famous "Hollywood" picture quality

DLP Cinema® technology is redefining the movie-going experience with an incredible all-digital picture. DLP technology brings similar advantages to projectors and HDTVs, razor sharp picture, amazing video, incredible color and brightness. DLP technology creates a picture so real and seamless — it's easy to forget that you aren't in the action.

Ideal for watching movies and sports events

The ultra-fast DLP chip has an unparalleled 16-microsecond pixel response time. Cinema projectors powered by DLP all-digital chip, with its millions of microscopic mirrors, deliver a precise, lifelike image in over 35 trillion vibrant colors, making it ideal for action-packed or fast-moving scenes.

Stunning picture quality that lasts

When you see a movie digitally, you see that movie the way its creators intended you to see it: with incredible clarity and detail. Digital movies are immune to the scratches, fading, pops and jitter that film is prone to with repeated screenings.

With outstanding, long-lasting picture quality and unparalleled pixel response time, it's easy to see how DLP Cinema technology delivers an incredible movie-going experience that will keep you coming back for more.

DLP Cinema – The World’s Leading Image Technology for Watching Movies Out of the Home

DLP Cinema technology projects crystal clear, razor-sharp and lifelike images for the ultimate in picture quality. DLP Cinema technology delivers a true digital picture with incredible clarity and vibrant colors every show.

With DLP Cinema technology, there is no more color fading, jump and weave, scratching and dirt accumulation which are common problems that plague film. DLP Cinema offers a consistent image with no degradation over time. With DLP digital, moviegoers can see a movie in its original pristine condition, exactly the way the director intended it, whether they see it during the first or fifth week of the run.

DLP Cinema Trailer

Millions of tiny mirrors make the picture amazing!

Home entertainment has changed – 3D DLP HDTVs

Turn on your new 3D DLP HDTV, slide on your active 3D glasses, and watch the images jump off the high definition screen and into your home theater. The extreme speed of the DLP chip, combined with 3D technology, makes it all possible.

Experience games and movies like never before

Imagine playing a game with characters and objects that appear to surround you. Or immerse yourself in a movie that spills right into your living room. That’s the magic of 3D ready DLP HDTVs. Even when you're not watching 3D content, you’ll appreciate the high definition quality of your DLP HDTV.

DLP HDTVs are the perfect combination – full HD and future-proof 3D capable at a price you can afford.

DLP HDTVs are famous for offering perhaps the best full HD, 1080p picture quality. With 3D ready capability, your DLP HDTV is ready for the future. 3D content is becoming more popular every day. When you add the optional 3D add on kit, you can enjoy a nice selection of 3D movies and hundreds of PC games today and you’ll have everything you need to enjoy increased 3D content tomorrow. Plus, DLP HDTVs offer perhaps the best “price–per–inch” of any HDTV making them the perfect big screen HDTVs at an affordable price.

Images so real, it’s like you’re there

DLP technology delivers crystal clear, razor-sharp and lifelike images for the ultimate in picture quality. DLP technology is capable of extremely high contrast ratios providing a stunning viewing experience - crisper whites, ultra-rich blacks and images that "pop" on-screen.

Want to watch the TV of the future today?

Setting up your DLP HDTV for 3D viewing is quick and easy.

• Connect your 3D DLP HDTV – offered by either Mitsubishi or Samsung – to a compatible 3D source
• Plug the transmitter into the HDTV VESA sync port
• Place the DLP HDTV into 3D mode
• Put on your active 3D glasses
• Enjoy!

Millions of tiny mirrors make the picture amazing

Ultra clear picture

Video and graphics produced by DLP technology are sharper because the DLP chip minimizes the gaps between pixels in an image. Spaced less than one micron apart, its mirrors create a smooth film like image.

Famous "Hollywood" picture quality

DLP Cinema® technology is redefining the movie-going experience with an incredible all-digital picture. DLP technology brings similar advantages to HDTVs, razor sharp picture, amazing video, incredible color and brightness. DLP technology creates a picture so real and seamless — it's easy to forget that you aren't in the action.

True 1080p technology

DLP 1080p technology delivers over 2 million pixels on-screen with full 1920 x 1080 resolution, the highest available. With a DLP 1080p HDTV you can experience the incredible detail that only FULL HD can deliver.

3D Ready HDTV

There is nothing quite like the immersive experience of 3D. DLP HDTVs from Mitsubishi are 3D ready. With an optional PC, software and active 3D glasses, you can watch 3D movies or play 3D video games right on your DLP HDTV.

Images so real, it’s like you’re there

DLP technology delivers crystal clear, razor-sharp and lifelike images for the ultimate in picture quality. DLP technology is capable of extremely high contrast ratios providing a stunning viewing experience - crisper whites, ultra-rich blacks and images that "pop" on-screen.

100% digital DLP chip for a truly accurate picture

The DLP chip is reflective and 100% digital. The all-digital chip, with its millions of microscopic mirrors, delivers a precise, lifelike image with vibrant colors.

Ideal for watching sports and fast action

The ultra-fast DLP chip has an unparalleled 8 microsecond pixel response time which is up to 1,000 times faster than nearly any other imaging technology. HDTVs powered by the DLP chip deliver a precise, razor-sharp picture, making it ideal for sports, action-packed or fast-moving scenes and gaming.

Stunning picture quality that lasts

Unlike other technologies such as LCD, DLP technology is virtually immune to color decay or yellowing of the image after extended periods of usage. Plus, DLP does not suffer from image retention. This means no worries of video games and network logos burning in on the screen.

Millions of tiny mirrors make the picture amazing for Projectors and HDTVs powered with DLP technology.

Ultra clear picture

Video and graphics produced by DLP technology are sharper because the DLP chip minimizes the gaps between pixels in an image. Spaced less than one micron apart, its mirrors create a smooth film like image.

Famous "Hollywood" picture quality

DLP Cinema® technology is redefining the movie-going experience with an incredible all-digital picture. DLP technology brings similar advantages to projectors and HDTVs, razor sharp picture, amazing video, incredible color and brightness. DLP technology creates a picture so real and seamless — it's easy to forget that you aren't in the action.

True 1080p technology

DLP 1080p technology delivers over 2 million pixels on-screen with full 1920 x 1080 resolution, the highest available. With a DLP 1080p Projector or HDTV you can experience the best HDTV programming, Blu-Ray discs, or video games available.

With outstanding picture quality, unparalleled pixel response time that's ideal for sports, movies and gaming. With a reliable, long-lasting picture and true 1080p technology, it's easy to see how DLP technology delivers the ultimate HDTV and projector experience.

Images so real, you're there

DLP technology delivers crystal clear, razor-sharp and lifelike images for the ultimate in picture quality. DLP technology is capable of extremely high contrast ratios (up to 20,000:1), providing a stunning viewing experience - crisper whites, ultra-rich blacks and images that "pop" on-screen.

100% digital DLP chip for a truly accurate picture.

The DLP chip is reflective and 100% digital. The all-digital chip, with its millions of microscopic mirrors, delivers a precise, lifelike image with vibrant colors.

Ideal for fast action

The ultra-fast DLP chip has an unparalleled 16 microsecond pixel response time. Projectors and HDTVs powered by DLP chip deliver a precise, razor-sharp picture, making it ideal for sports, action-packed or fast-moving scenes and gaming.

Stunning picture quality that lasts

DLP technology is insusceptible to burn-in – unlike CRT and plasma systems, a DLP HDTV and projector simply has no tube, phosphor or other elements to burn in. This means no worries of video games and network logos burning in on screen.

1. The semiconductor that continues to reinvent projection

At the heart of every DLP® projection system is an optical semiconductor known as the DLP® chip, which was invented by Dr. Larry Hornbeck of Texas Instruments in 1987.

The DLP chip is perhaps the world's most sophisticated light switch. It contains a rectangular array of up to 2 million hinge-mounted microscopic mirrors; each of these micromirrors measures less than one-fifth the width of a human hair.

When a DLP chip is coordinated with a digital video or graphic signal, a light source, and a projection lens, its mirrors can reflect a digital image onto a screen or other surface. The DLP chip combined with the advanced electronics that surround it produce stunning images and video that have redefined picture quality.

2. The grayscale image

A DLP chip's micromirrors tilt either toward the light source in a DLP projection system (ON) or away from it (OFF). This creates a light or dark pixel on the projection surface.

The bit-streamed image code entering the semiconductor directs each mirror to switch on and off up to several thousand times per second. When a mirror is switched on more frequently than off, it reflects a light gray pixel; a mirror that's switched off more frequently reflects a darker gray pixel.

In this way, the mirrors in a DLP projection system can reflect pixels in up to 1,024 shades of gray to convert the video or graphic signal entering the DLP chip into a highly detailed grayscale image.

3. Adding color

The white light generated by the lamp in a DLP projection system passes through a color filter as it travels to the surface of the DLP chip. This filters the light into a minimum of red, green, and blue, from which a single-chip DLP projection system can create at least 16.7 million colors.

With BrilliantColor™ Technology, additional colors are added including Cyan, Magenta and Yellow to expand the color pallet for even more vibrant color performance. Some DLP projectors offer solid-state illumination which replaces the traditional white lamp. As a result, the light source emits the necessary colors eliminating the color filter. In some DLP systems, a 3-chip architecture is used, particularly for high brightness projectors required for large venue applications such as concerts and movie theaters. These systems are capable of producing no fewer than 35 trillion colors.

The on and off states of each micromirror are coordinated with these basic building blocks of color. For example, a mirror responsible for projecting a purple pixel will only reflect red and blue light to the projection surface; those colors are then blended to see the intended hue in a projected image.

4. Applications and configurations

1 CHIP DLP PROJECTION SYSTEM

Many Data projectors and HDTVS using DLP technology rely on a single chip configuration like the one described above.

White light passes through a color filter, causing red, green, blue and even additional primary colors such as yellow cyan, magenta and more to be shone in sequence on the surface of the DLP chip. The switching of the mirrors, and the proportion of time they are 'on' or 'off' is coordinated according to the color shining on them. Then the sequential colors blend to create a full-color image you see on the screen.

• Download ZIP file with all resolutions (10.9 MB)

3 CHIP DLP PROJECTION SYSTEM

DLP technology enabled projectors for very high brightness applications such as cinema and large venue displays rely on a 3 chip configuration to produce stunning images, whether moving or still.

In a 3 chip system, the white light generated by the lamp passes through a prism that divides it into red, green and blue. Each DLP chip is identified for each of these three colors; the colored light that the micromirrors reflect is then combined and passed through the projection lens to form an image.

• Download ZIP file with all resolutions (5.03 MB)

Regardless of the application or design, Projectors powered by DLP Technology continue to raise the bar on picture quality and video performance. And it all starts with a small imaging chip with millions of tiny mirrors called DLP that make the picture amazing.

DLP technology from Texas Instruments is a precise, digital imaging chip that powers today’s best projectors, HDTVs, Digital Cinema systems and other sophisticated devices for medical, printing, security and more.

The amazing DLP chip consists of up to millions of tiny, microscopic mirrors which reflect light, digitally to create a stunning image.

First available in projectors in 1994, DLP technology now powers virtually half of all new projectors worldwide. It has quickly become the must-have, digital imaging device offering incredible reliability and picture quality – all at affordable prices.

DLP is the only technology that is flexible enough to light up a giant movie screen or project an image from something as small as a cell phone.

Learn more about how DLP works and discover the true advantages of this innovating imaging device.

Filmmakers have relied on film to make their movies for almost as long as the industry's been around.

Digital projection does not degrade the quality of the picture

Shooting on film may be expensive, but it has a special quality unrivalled by any other media, and though we are not necessarily aware of what is going on behind the scenes when we turn up at the box office, we are stepping into the world of 35mm film.

The release prints of movies arrive in projection rooms as 10,000 feet of film printed as a copy of the original.

So far the only sop towards digital in the analogue cinema world has been in the realm of sound.

But now, finally, film itself may be facing the final curtain as cinemas find the pull of digital forces irresistible.

Picture perfect

Digital projection systems are the latest thing. The release copy of the movie is delivered on a hard drive, sporting 100 gigabytes of the latest Hollywood fare, a digitally scanned copy of the master film print.

The industry has reached a watershed, and digital cinema is about to take off in a big way

Once clipped into place the movie is simply uploaded to a server and is one button-push away from being digitally projected.

The big advantage of digital projection is the picture quality. With film, every imperfection gets shown as the 35 mm print passes through the projector, including scratches, fluff, blotches and so forth; not exactly what the director intended for their creative vision.

With a digital projector linked to a server there are no more stray hairs, scratches or dust - just a crystal clear picture.

Goblet of Fire from Warner was released digitally in 18 countries

The rest of the entertainment world embraced digital years ago, so why are the cinemas so late to the party?

"It's taken so long because it's been a question of agreeing in advance," said David Hancock of Screen Digest. "It's been a consensus building process, which started in 1999 with the first commercial release of Star Wars Episode One.

"Since then we've had five years of testing the technology, building a consensus and agreeing the business models and technology to be used, and this took longer than most people expected."

Big savings

Now the industry has reached a watershed, and digital cinema is about to take off in a big way.

A couple of years ago there were only 335 digitally-equipped screens worldwide. By the end of last year, in which Hollywood finally published a common technical standard, that number had almost trebled, to 849 screens.

Forecasts predict 17,000 screens in just a few years from now, concentrated in the movie world's spiritual home, the US.

Digital encryption will help protect against film piracy

The Hollywood studios are driving this transition because they stand to make enormous savings, which they can pass on to the cinemas themselves.

The most obvious saving is in distribution costs. An average length feature film print costs around £700 ($1,300).

Encoding it and delivering a hard drive to the cinema works out at a fraction of that. In future, the possibility of delivering the movie by satellite or over the net has got the bean counters salivating.

One of the other great costs to the movie industry is piracy, which Hollywood claims has cost it $6bn (£3.2bn).

Distributing movies digitally means they can be encrypted before they even leave the studios, and then unlocked by software at the cinemas themselves.

Tinseltown's films could get more showings, too. Digital movies can be streamed from the server to different screens at the same time; or alternatively a variety of movies can be shown on the same screen throughout the course of a day.

But perhaps the most exciting thing for the cinemas is that digital projection gives them a flexibility they could only have dreamt when they had to use film.

"With a digital projector you can input virtually anything into it," said Steve Knibbs of Vue cinemas. "[We can screen] a DVD, a clip downloaded from YouTube, gaming from a digital projector with multiple players on the screen at the same time, a live feed from satellite, cable and whatever.

"Anything we can get as an input we can put up on screen. That means we go from being a place where you can just see 35mm films to becoming a true general entertainment place providing everything from gambling to gaming, educational lessons to movies they might not have seen for 40 years, and all sort of things like that."

'Buzz about 3D'

The advent of digital also means that some technologies which were a bit suspect in the past can be revived. Brace yourselves for the return of 3D.

In truth 3D never really went away - it has been the staple of the big-screen Imax experience for years.

Imax uses two film projectors and two reels of film to fool our brains into thinking we are seeing 3D.

That process has been too expensive for regular cinemas to contemplate, but digital projectors make it affordable for the first time.

"It's not proved financially viable for some time," said Richard Boyd of the National Film Theatre.

"This was something that was quite big in 50s and 60s and sort of dropped out, a bit of a gimmick, a bit like smellavision.

"But now a single digital projector can run at a higher frame rate and show both left eye and right eye [images] from a single projector."

There is now a real buzz about 3D; there are seven new 3D movies slated for release in the coming year.

With technology available to recreate old classics, as well as show sporting events, in 3D there is a real feeling that 3D is finally coming of age.

Even so, places like the Hollywood entertainment museum put these developments in perspective. Technology is important, but it is just one part of a bigger picture.

Digital cinema, although it is being seen as a milestone on par with colour and sound, is still at its heart just cinema.

Ultimately it is the finished product, the movies themselves, which will ensure we keep coming back for more.

How did you come up with the story idea for Leader?
That was the time when I came out of Happy Days euphoria and planning for my next project, which is the Hindi version of Happy Days. I was watching TV, the run up for the elections were happening. It is a fact that no change has been happening in politics for decades. Politics has become a highly sophisticated business that is being run of people who has no proper qualifications. Anybody can enter in politics and become a political leader. And the people are looking for a change and looking for the right leader.

That is when the story idea of Leader stuck me and I completed the script in 3 months. I wanted to direct the film right away so that I could release it before the elections. I think that the story idea of Leader came from the wish list of voters and citizens.

After preparaing the script, I realised that it needs a big budget and bigger canvas. I need a big producer. I got to know producer Guhan (AVM) through Marthand K Vankatesh and he expressed interest in working with me. I narrated the script of Leader and he liked it immensely. I wanted Guhan to be the producer because I wouldn’t have any political pressures on me to be biased towards any ideology/party because producer is from outer state.

I had two options when it comes to casting. One is to cast a big commercial hero and other one is to cast a new comer. A big hero can slap his thigh and convey the emotion. But my kind of hero is a messiah of masses and he evokes emotions through his thinking. I decided that the subject will be conveyed well if I have new comer as hero. I saw RaNa a few times and it suddenly stuck me that he could do the lead role. Coincidentally, he was also planning to get into acting. I narrated the subject to him and he loved it. It was in December 2008. I wanted to start the shoot immediately and release it before elections. But things got delayed due to perfectioning the script, for working in the detailing, logistics and set work.

Did you do any research for this movie?
No, I wrote this script based on the awareness I have on politics. To be honest, I did more research on Happy Days movies to see if the current youth is different from my days by visiting lots of colleges. I realized that politics and politicians are the same for decades.

The political scenario had a sea change in the last one year. Did you make any changes to the script?
I had the perfect script in December 2008 and I haven’t changed a bit in it. However, a couple of things in the script happened in real. The death of chief minister and a couple other incidents happened during the shoot. These incidents were penned much before. Then Telangana movement started. I wanted to show this movie to YSR and seek his opinion as he is the most popular leader of masses. At present, our AP state is headless and it lacks leadership. Students have become insecure in this current situation and they are worried about their future. Leader film addresses such real issues and gives a solution as well. Leader film has become more relevant now than the time when I scripted it.

You delivered a blockbuster Happy Days. You could have made another youth film and made money. Why did you venture into directing such risky subjects like Leader?
Anand movie is a romantic film. Romantic films were made earlier, but I made Anand reflecting my own sensibilities. Hence Anand was appreciated by one and all. Lots of college love stories came in Telugu in the past. Most of the stories deal with immature love stories, elopements and teasing/degrading the teachers. I made Happy Days with my own sensibilities and it appealed to everybody. Likewise, many political films came in the past. But Leader is going to be a different film in typical Telugu political genre movies. I don’t think I am doing any risk, I am just trying to be different in the time-tested genre.

RaNa looks are little unusual for a regular commercial hero. What is the reason for casting him?
He is tall and has a spectacular voice. He has rugged smartness in his looks and honesty in his face. This film needs that kind of look. Leader is a character driven story. The first victory for this character is the feedback we got for the first poster release featuring silhouette (click here too see). RaNa completely justified this big canvas film with his performance though he is a newcomer.

The music of Leader is little slow and is not as good as your earlier movies?
Leader’s music is not a standard album. It is not possible to compose Happy Days and Kotha Bangaru Lokam kind of songs for this movie as it’s a political drama. There is no scope for such music. There is only one romantic song in the album. Rest of the songs are situational. I think the music will be more appealing after Leader’s release because there is lot of emotional content attached to the songs in the movie. The songs of Leader will infuse patriotism into people. Music strength of Leader is in background score.

I heard that you have problem with the runtime of your movies. You had to edit/delete a large chunk of content in the last minute. Is it true?
It happened only for two of my movies. One is Anand and another one is Leader. The initial version of Anand came up to 3 hours and 40 minutes. We had to edit it to 2 hour and 50 minutes. I included the longer version as director’s cut in the DVD. The total runtime for Leader movie came around 3 hours and 20 minutes. We had to trim it to 2 hours and 45 minutes. Reason for Anand’s excessive length was because I loved that character. Leader’s excessive length is due to the fact that I tried to narrate too many things because there is lot of content in the movie.

Your movies have lot of importance to heroines. How important are two heroines in this movie?
Both heroines play their part in the journey of leader. Heroines have emotional content. However, the screen space for heroines is less in Leader compared to my earlier movies.

What are the technical highlights of the movie?
Vijay C Kumar has done great work just like he did for my earlier movies. Thota Tharani’s art direction is completely natural. It is a challenge to Marthand K Venkatesh because we tried new editing pattern and he did extremely well.

What is the gist of Leader?
Leader is a journey of a person who evolves from an ordinary man to a politician and then to a leader. Leader is a political drama.

Why should people watch Leader?
Leader questions the current political system in an intelligent way and provides a solution too. It is an honest film. For me, Leader is beyond a typical paisa vasool movie. Being a citizen of India and being a filmmaker, it gives me immense satisfaction for making Leader by mixing moral obligation with commerciality.

What is your gut feel on the movie?
All the insiders who watched Leader are extremely happy. It will be a great film. I am eager to see how it appeals to the average moviegoer, because he is the one who makes a movie like this work at the box office. Leader is a film of social relevance with great performances in a new genre

Nagarjuna Akkineni ’s Kedi is all set to release on 12 February worldwide. This film is directed the first timer Kiran. Nagarjuna organized chatchat with scribes at Annapurna studios. Here are the excerpts of Nagarjuna’s interview about Kedi -


Tell us about Kedi movie?
Kedi movie has a new screenplay and the director presented me in different style. Each and every character in Kedi is important just like in my film Shiva. Casting for the movie was done by keeping the characters in mind.

How the director did impress you with this story?
The narration style in this movie is unlike any other flashback in Telugu films. The narrative keeps changing back and forth in time.

Tell us about your role?
I am doing the role of Ramesh who is fondly called as Rummy. It is an energetic character who doesn’t think about tomorrow and enjoys today. The movie starts with a flashback of my character when he was 15 years old in Guntur. He realises that earning money is the foremost important thing in life. He travels to Hyderabad from Guntur and then to Goa. Kedi is about Ramesh’s journey and the incidents happen during this journey.

Are you a gambler in this movie?
Gambling is not my profession in this movie. The posters released at the beginning might have given you the impression. There are three cards in the pocket of Ramesh all the time. He takes those cards out and ask people to pick one of the cards and if king card is picked then it is a good sign (just like heads in toss). There will be gambling episodes in the movie only a couple of times. These gambling episodes were shot in Goa.

Is Kedi an entertaining movie?
My character is completely entertaining. There is not even a single serious scene.

Is Kedi inspired by any Hollywood movie?
There is no similarity to any Hollywood movie. Even if there is any slight inspiration, none of the scenes are in this movie have any resemblance to Hollywood movies.

Kiran penned dialogues for Yuva TV serial. What prompted you to give him feature film direction chance?
I met him during Yuva time and I liked the way he narrates subject. He worked with Prakash (K Raghavendra Rao’s son) for a year. He understands technical aspects of cinema. Direction is not a problem for him. Apart from directing the movie, he has also taken care of postproduction activities like sound-effects, rerecording and dubbing. Shooting of Kedi was over in December. music director Sandeep Chowta has asked 25 days of time for the re-recording. The cameraman Sarvesh Murari has taken 20 days to get DI (color grading) done. Hence, the music and visuals are going to be extremely good in Kedi.

Are you taking any steps to prevent piracy of Kedi?
It is not possible to prevent online piracy. That is the reason why we are releasing it with 300 prints. We can’t get 300 genuine people to protect our prints. It is very easy to bribe some of the theatre operators to get prints for piracy. The codes on prints are not helping too. The government should treat it as a menace and give strong punishment to the pirates. Our Government is earning 14 rupees per ticket as entertainment tax. Government should also severely punish the condemned. If a pirate is caught, he is getting away with a bail by paying rupees 500.

Tell us about music?
Sandeep Chowta gave great music for my films Ninne Pelladatha, Chandralekha and Super. He scored 9 songs for Kedi. Not all songs are shot on me. Some of the songs are used for vital situations.

Tell us about Mamata Mohandas?
She did a negative role in my earlier film King. I liked her work and attitude and cast her in this movie. She is not only a glamorous actress, but also a hard-working one. She is punctual.

Tell us about Brahmanandam character?
Brahmanandam is also a kedi in this movie. He helps me at times. I call him during certain assignments and he works on commission basis. His role is a small one, but an entertaining one.

Tell us about stunt sequences?
All the stunts in this movie are natural. The re-recording effects are also good. There are no hard fights in this movie.

There is not much of a gap between Kedi and Ye Maya Chesave?
No. There will be a considerable gap between these two films. We have to keep in mind about the exams and IPL matches to while releasing the movies. Ye Maya Chesave songs are melodious and one can understand lyrics properly. There is no domination of music over lyrics in this album. Songs in this album are acting like slow poison. AR Rahman gave heart-touching music to Ye Maya Chesave.

You are doing most of your films in Kamakshi banner?
Yes. Kamakshi banner completed silver jubilee this year. My friendship with D Siva Prasad Reddy also flourished for 25 years. This banner acted as a platform for me to different roles. It is like a home banner for me.

Tell us about Naga Chaitanya’s next movie in Kamakshi banner?
Naga Chaitanya and Chandan (D Siva Prasad Reddy’s son) are good friends. They planned a big movie which will be shot in abroad for 80%. Kajal Agarwal plays female lead and Ajay Bhuyan directs it.

Why are you keeping low profile for Kedi movie?
We were busy with postproduction activities earlier. We started the publicity recently. There has been great amount of interest shown by the buyers and they asked for more prints because of the publicity. We might release the movie with more than 300 prints.

Tell us about some unforgettable moments while doing this movie?
We went to Greece to shoot a song. We went to an island called Milos over there. The population of that island is around 5000. It is a beautiful place where all the houses are painted in white color. Only windows are allowed to have colors. It is a tourist island and there will be around 2 lac people during season. We went there when it was not a tourist season. They gave us really good hospitality. When they arranged dinner for us, we completed it in few minutes. They got little tensed. They told us that we work so hard to earn our living and we should enjoy the food and relish it. It is a great truth. It is the first time a Telugu movie was shot in Milos Island.