Calling Epson...

[percy fung]

Dear Richard,

What are the source for 4k Stereo Playback
Just wonder if there a contact person info from the Epson booth that you could share with me, my PM is percy@digitalmagic.com.hk
I am on a RED 4K stereo project, too
Thanks

[Jeremy W]

I think some one might have mentioned this earlier in the thread, but JVC is working on 8k as well and they showed off a prototype last year.
http://www.aboutprojectors.com/news/...-at-ceatec-08/
1,100,000:1 native contrast is rather impressive. I believe the limit of what human vision can perceive in a single scene is about 1,000,000:1. What I'd like to see some day is a projection system that can replicate the entire color space of human vision as well. Maybe that will happen around the same time as a projection system that matches RED's 617 28k image sensor.

[Iannis Holwech]

Today (11/19/09 in Tokyo) at InterBEE (~ the NAB of Japan ), Epson showed a prototype of their 8k projector, which can also project 4k stereo, in a small theater in their booth on the show floor.

The 8k images were simply stunning, as was the 4k stereo.

Can someone confirm that the announced Epson 4K projector suddenly in fact is a 8K projector (8Kx4K), or is this a misunderstanding?

Has there been a misunderstanding between pixelcount; the announced Epson 4Kx2K has 8.85 megapixel, while a 8Kx4K (8192 x 4320) projector has over 35 megapixel, like the two JVC 8K projectors (the 4 chip 8K announced last year (linked in this thread) and the JVC 3 chip 8K announced in may 2009), and the Evans and Sutherland 8K GLV laser projector for digital film sources.

I would also like to have clarified the "4K stereo projection", as stereo projection normally is refereed to the use of two projectors.
The only simulation of "stereo projection" is the way Sony does 3D on their 4K projector and the way 3D is projected from film source (both wit dual lenses), and is called "over-under" and is only 2x2K=4 megapixel.

Also; what kind of glasses was used for the 4K stereo; passive or active?

I get suspicious when Epson announce a 4K projector and someone claim it is a 8K projector that can project full dual 4K without Epson announcing it.

If Epson has a 8K projector that can do 2x4K 3D projection without dual lenses, that is quite "radical".

[Axel Mertes]

Given that Japans NHK is openly planning an 8K TV format, it may sound "radical" but to me also "logical" than companies like Epson take an 8K route these days...

The earlier the better :)

Axel

[Iannis Holwech]

See what I wrote; what is "radical" would be if Epson have a 8K projector that can do 4K stereo with one projector and no dual lens "over-under" (technical reasons).

What is not "logical" is that Epson announce that they will show a 4K projector at a tradeshow in Japan and allegedly shows a 8K projector without any prior announcement.

It is very very welcome if Epson have managed to make a 8K LCD projector.
That would put pressure on Sony, not to speak of Texas Instruments (DLP) which will not show a 4K DLP before early (hopefully) next year.

[Richard Weinberg]

The glasses were passive, not active. I'll see what else I can find out.

Richard Weinberg

[Sven Seynaeve]

any rumours about the pricetag??

[Blair S. Paulsen]

I wonder what the economics are of building and selling 4K projectors in the 2,000 lumens and under class? How many units do you need to sell at what price point? How much will it cost for optics capable of resolving 4K?

My home theater uses a Sony Pearl (1080P, SXRD LCoS) which has great fill factor, decent color accuracy, mediocre blacks vs DLP but better at subtle tonal gradation and - a lens that is not up to the task. The softer look of the lens is actually a plus when watching a lot of MPEG-2 encoded material off the dish or cable, but disappointing when reviewing footage from professional level sources. I bring all this up because this roughly $5,000 USD projector scrimped on the optics to hold its price point.

I agree with the notion that simply having a higher pixel count on the chip is not going to hugely impact the manufacturing cost of a smaller chassis, moderate light output projector - but how much might the lens alone cost if it is to hold 4K resolution? IF, big IF, a lens of proper quality can be sourced for under $2,000 then perhaps a sub $10,000 4K LCD projector is not just a dream.

Ultimately any manufacturer contemplating such a product will have to estimate how many units they can sell prior to a serious development commitment. Now there is a market research challenge! FWIW I think they should advertise on RedUser

Cheers - #19

[Cail Young]

IF, big IF, a lens of proper quality can be sourced for under $2,000 then perhaps a sub $10,000 4K LCD projector is not just a dream.

Now, remind me how Panavision got started?

[Jon Farhat]

Are they showing it at InterBEE in Taipei? Sounds like the Brightness and contrast are amazing in the tests. I hear they have a 4K TFT liquid crystal panel too. Big screens aren't going away, there will simply be a lot more of them. Bye bye choke hold.