TALKING POINT
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IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME FOR
PLANETARIUMS INVESTMENT?
Advances in technology, such as the development into large format fi lm, enable planetariums
to compete with large format fi lm distributors. So, is this the right time for them to upgrade?
Should operators invest now or will there be newer, even more cutting-edge technology
coming out soon which will quickly date their investment? Kathleen Whyman asks the experts
make sense to see what might bilities that improve visual performance.
E & S DIGITAL be coming just over the horizon? Strangely enough, the planetarium market
THEATER
The truth is we can never be sure has migrated to digital capability sooner
Michael Daut,
what’s coming next, but comput- than the IMAX/giant screen industry has.
director of show
ers can be upgraded and future Many of the giant screen folks are still a
production/marketing
software updates can be easily fi lm-based 15/70 or 8/70 market and while
installed. Sometimes the cost of newer movies will have digital versions
waiting is greater than the cost of available, the installed base is fi lm.
T
here’s never been a better time to having this amazing medium in your hands Digital planetariums have the capability
consider a digital fulldome theatre/ right now. With so much content and such to show digital movies. Advancements in
digital planetarium for your facility. a dynamic and powerfully immersive can- technology aren’t needed. Today’s dome
Advances in video projection technology, vas using state-of-the-art video projection, requires 4K x 4K resolution, which is avail-
in terms of resolution and contrast, have digital fulldome theatres represent the able in multi-channel solutions. Attaining
allowed fulldome image quality that now ultimate medium for surrounding audi- 4K x 4K with only one device isn’t expected
rivals giant screen fi lm theatres. ences with images and sounds. Viewers to happen for the foreseeable future and
New technology introduced by Evans & are effectively transported directly into the when it does, 4K x 4K will no longer be
Sutherland (E&S) opens the door for giant experiences on the screen. good enough. The digital infrastructure for
screen fi lms to play in digital fulldome thea- playback of uncompressed video
tres and the availability of original fulldome already exists.
programming is at an all-time high, dra-
GLOBAL
Technology life will always have
matically expanding the choice of shows to
IMMERSION
limitations. While display technol-
play on the dome. ogy may be serviceable for up to 10
Alan Caskey,
Giant screen fi lms and original program- years, practically speaking, an oper-
sales director,
ming for fulldome theatres are abundant.
Americas
ator should plan on a four- to six-year
Digital planetarium systems, such as horizon for technology upgrades,
Digistar 4, allow audiences to travel driven by visitor expectations.
through space in a 3D universe fi lled with Digital cinema technology is now proven Technology is an evolution, not a revolu-
galaxies, stars, planets and moons, letting and digital capability is in every cineplex. tion. We advise our clients not to wait for
them explore the universe with a fl exibility Over time, the fi lm-based theatres will the latest cutting-edge technology for two
and immediacy never before possible. almost certainly change to a digital solution. main reasons. Firstly, cutting-edge technol-
Of course, the big question is when to The future advancements in projec- ogy imposes inherent risk and secondly,
implement this exciting technology in your tion technology will revolve around higher the typical visitor to institutional theatres
theatre. Given the number of advance- resolution and brightness, lower cost wants a cutting-edge experience, which is
ments in the last few years, doesn’t it illumination and technological capa- already possible with today’s technology.
30 Read Attractions Management online
attractionsmanagement.com/digital AM 1 2010
©
cybertrek 2010
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