Tuesday, March 19, 2024

E&S to feature Christie RGB laser projectors in new 8K ESX Giant Dome Cinema

 

Evans & Sutherland (E&S), provider of Digistar, the world’s leading digital planetarium system, has acquired 10 of the newChristie® D4K40-RGB RealLaser™ projectors for its Dome Demonstration Center and for installation in the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) planetarium in Huntsville, Alabama.

The upgraded planetarium at USSRC will use the first E&S “ESX” cinema system installed in the world, which includes five Christie D4K40-RGB RealLaser projectors. The system will produce 8K images on the 67-foot, 30-degree tilt dome. Scheduled to re-open in spring 2019, the new system will replace the planetarium’s original IMAX equipment.  The remaining five Christie D4K40-RGB projectors will be installed in E&S’ Demonstration Center, located in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“We are proud to integrate Christie D4K40-RGB pure laser projectors in demanding Evans & Sutherland venues worldwide. We purchased ten of Christie’s first production units: five will be used for our facility to demonstrate the capabilities of our Digistar Planetarium and ESX Giant Dome Cinema products. The other five projectors will be installed in the reconditioned dome at USSRC in Huntsville, Alabama. Together with our world-class alignment and blending system, the image looks stunning. We are excited to be the first to offer this powerful new Christie RGB laser technology to the market,” says Kirk Johnson, President and COO, Evans & Sutherland.

The Christie D4K40-RGB projectors produce greater than 90 percent of the Rec. 2020 color space for rich, vibrant true-to-life visuals – all built into a projector weighing less than half that of its closest competitor. Delivering optimal illumination performance of 20,000 hours to 60% brightness, 5000:1 contrast ratio, and up to 120 frames per second, the Christie D4K40-RGB also features a new, patented, sealed optical path. For typical installations, this translates into 8-plus years of stable, uncompromising, virtually maintenance-free operation. Powerful yet energy efficient, the Christie D4K40-RGB operates on single-phase 220V power, making it significantly more cost-effective than competitor models.

“We’re pleased that E&S has selected the Christie D4K40-RGB projector for these installations,” says Mike Garrido, senior product manager, Christie. “Thanks to Christie’s engineering expertise, this 40,000 lumen RGB pure laser projector raises the bar for design, image quality, built-in processing, and connectivity. The all-in-one design makes it easier to bring a bright, vibrant, immersive, RGB laser experience to large venues, planetariums and domes.”

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

Related Articles

Latest Articles