Christie’s new Sapphire brings together the best of both RGB pure laser and laser phosphor projection technologies
interview by Martin Palicki
Recognizing a critical need within the themed entertainment market, Christie launched their new Sapphire projector at ISE 2025 in Barcelona last February. The new unit is a hybrid projector, bringing together the best features of both laser phosphor and RGB pure laser systems to provide maximum versatility for themed entertainment applications. We asked Larry Paul, Christie’s Executive Director of Technology and Custom Solutions, for more details on how Sapphire fits into their suite of products.
Where did the inspiration for Sapphire come from?
Christie creates solutions that solve our customers’ problems, and we know that the creative landscape is constantly evolving. With that understanding, we recognized an opportunity to provide a new solution that would help our customers stay competitive in the marketplace.
Our clients were looking for a projection solution with color comb 3D and rear projection capabilities, and technology that could be implemented in silver screen 3D applications – all important for dark rides and media-based attractions. These were the primary inspirations for developing the Sapphire 4K40-RGBH, the world’s first true high-brightness hybrid RGB pure laser and laser phosphor projector.
We wanted to set new performance benchmarks with Sapphire to exceed the capabilities of lamp-based and laser phosphor projectors. For example, we partnered with Infitec to develop an all-new 3D glasses technology that maximizes the broad color spectrum of Sapphire’s unique hybrid illumination technology, which we developed specifically for this projector.
Can you go into more detail on what specific features make Sapphire an ideal match for dark rides and media-based attractions?
The answer really boils down to 3D applications and color. Some of the most immersive dark rides use 3D technologies to captivate their guests but require a broader color palette for more natural-looking visuals. While silver screen polarized 3D may be appropriate or ideal for non-blended applications, installations that use blended projectors or short-throw lenses to create a larger, seamless canvas are challenging or impossible to do with a silver screen. This is when color comb 3D is an ideal solution.
Color comb 3D is essentially a much more advanced version of the old-fashioned blue and red lens 3D glasses. Two projectors emit slightly different wavelengths of red, green and blue colors with optical filters combing out the different wavelengths for each eye, resulting in a superior stereoscopic image.
Sapphire features an exclusive Infitec 3D color comb option. With a left-eye projector and a right-eye projector, a Christie Intelligent Filter Holder in each, and Infitec 3D glasses exclusively designed for Sapphire, the projector is automatically configured to project passive 3D content onto any surface. Paired with color perceived as DCI-P3, the result is brighter, more immersive experiences on attractions that surpass polarized 3D.
Additionally, Sapphire offers 25,000 hours to 50% brightness for the RGB pure laser system, and 20,000 hours to 50% brightness for the dual laser phosphor system.
You mentioned Sapphire’s benefits for 3D applications. Is it also beneficial for 2D projection?
Sapphire is the recommended choice in a few instances. It’s the optimal projector for high brightness 2D applications when the screen surface is prone to speckle, such as rear projection applications, and if you’re using a silver screen for 2D or 3D.
Sapphire’s broad color spectrum reproduces a DCI-P3+ color space, making it a superior choice for customers or projects that require a laser phosphor illuminated projector.
What other environments might be a good match for Sapphire?
Sapphire is also ideal for visualization displays like a CAVE or powerwall, as well as for customers who need immersive displays in simulation environments, including automotive and aerospace design, scientific visualization and simulation, government defense, and many other immersive 2D and 3D applications.
What are the benefits of a hybrid system?
An RGB pure laser illumination system has red, green, and blue lasers that enable the broadest color spectrum, allowing users to see more color than any other projection technology. Christie is a pioneer of RGB pure laser illumination, and we started deploying RGB illuminated projectors over 12 years ago.
In comparison, while laser phosphor illumination produces a broader spectrum of light, a typical laser phosphor illumination system is limited in its ability to reproduce color. However, it’s a very reliable light source with maximum screen compatibility.
Christie saw this as an opportunity to combine the best of both RGB pure laser and laser phosphor. We added dual phosphor disks and the technology needed to achieve DCI-P3 color, color comb 3D, and superior low speckle performance.
In practical situations, this means that for operators with existing attractions, Sapphire is a great option for replacing older lamp-based projectors for 2D and 3D applications. The combination of laser phosphor and RGB pure laser makes Sapphire versatile enough to work in just about any projection environment and screen setup. As mentioned before, it also provides superior 3D color comb projection, silver screen polarized 3D, along with better reliability, a longer lifespan, and dramatically better color and brightness than lamp-based products. It also uses the same Christie ILS4 lenses as Boxer 4K30, D4K40-RGB, and Griffyn Series.
Of course, all of these reasons make it a good choice for new attractions as well.
We frequently talk about the color gamut with you. Can you share more on how Sapphire stacks up in these areas?
High brightness, 3D, high frame rates, and color are all part of what enable designers to create engaging, entertaining, and immersive experiences for their guests.
Color is an especially key component. Sapphire achieves the DCI-P3 color space, surpassing the Rec. 709 color gamut of laser phosphor and lamp-based projectors, due to its hybrid illumination system. For context, DCI-P3 is the standard for cinema. It has more greens and reds than the Rec. 709 color space and reproduces more realistic and lifelike colors on screen.
Are there any other features we didn’t talk about that designers and integrators should know about?
The Christie Sapphire 4K40-RGBH adds a new solution to our product portfolio, enabling our customers to unleash their creativity and create the entertaining and enjoyable experiences they expect when they visit an attraction or immerse themselves in a virtual environment. •
