STACK #212 June 2022

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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GOWITH THE THROW Throw is the distance between the projector and the screen/wall and is determined by the type of lens. Short Throw projectors beam a picture 100” or more when set three to eight feet away from the screen/wall and are ideal for use in apartments and small rooms, while Ultra-Short Throw projectors cater to every kind of living space and can sit even closer – they work best when positioned up to four feet away. Both types offer increased brightness for optimal viewing of 4K content, and also eliminate shadows and glare for higher image resolution. Gone are the days of having to install a projector in a ceiling mount – all you need is a coffee table or an entertainment cabinet where a smart TV would usually sit. RESOLUTION REVOLUTION Old school projectors delivered a decent enough image, but often the bigger the picture got, the more the clarity was likely to fade. Nowadays projectors support Full HD 1080p, but more and more now feature 4K 3840 x 2160 resolution to deliver a pin-sharp and clear image with perfect colour reproduction that’s comparable to the best 4K UHDTVs. When you see premium 4K projectors in action, the quality is truly jaw-dropping! Contrast ratio (the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of an image) is also a factor when viewing 4K HDR content. The higher the ratio, the better the balance – 2,000:1 and above is considered optimal for a projector.

AUDIO OPTIONS Most modern projectors feature built-in speakers, which is convenient if you’re opting for a portable model. But when you’re watching a blockbuster movie on a 100” screen at home, you’ll want a similarly huge and immersive soundscape to match, so make sure the projector you choose has an HDMI port (which a majority do) for connecting a soundbar. SMART CONNECTIVITY Many of the latest models offer all the functionality of a smart TV, including Android TV, access to the major steaming services as well as a built-in tuner for free-to-air channels, and HDMI ports to connect a 4K Blu-ray player, game console or laptop. And there’s the convenience of built-in voice assistants and AirPlay 2 support for casting content from other smart devices.

IN THE PROJECTION BOOTH

P rior to the digital revolution, a cinema – or drive-in – projectionist was a pretty cool job to have. However, the role wasn’t simply a case of operating the projector, ensuring the film was always in focus and the sound audible. A projectionist was also required to cut and splice film, load the reels onto the projector(s), as well as performing general equipment maintenance. Today cinema projection is mostly fully automated, with movies supplied as a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) of 2K or 4K data files, but back in ancient times movies were delivered in a number of film-reel cans, with each reel containing approx. 20 minutes of footage. Past cinemas were often fitted with two projectors – one playing a reel and the other loaded with the subsequent reel ready to go. The cue to change reels was indicated by a small circle in the top right corner of the film frame – known in the biz as a “cigarette burn”. The sound would also need to be switched accordingly. The process was later streamlined

with the film on each reel spliced together onto one big platter for

continuous projection, eliminating the need for changeovers – just like automated digital projection has now eliminated the need for a projectionist.

30 JUNE 2022

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