A Christie 4K digital laser projector will be installed at the Seattle Cinerama Theatre in the USA after the manufacturer got a thumbs up from the US FDA.
Christie says the installation of the unit, with scalable light output up to 60,000 lumens, marks a world first.
“When hi-tech visionary Paul G. Allen bought the theatre in 1999, he gave Cinerama full rein to innovate in order to provide our community with a cutting-edge movie going experience,†said Greg Wood, manager of the Cinerama Theatre.
“Selecting a laser projection solution – with its ability to render 2D and 3D movies with stunning clarity and brilliant, accurate colour rendition – is in keeping with this tradition.
Christie reported that it had recently received the first US FDA approval of variance allowing the sale of laser projectors for use in a cinema, which it says is “the first and only such variance to date approved for a manufacturer of DCI-compliant cinema projectorsâ€.
Site scoping and technical evaluations will begin in August, with an anticipated switch over from conventional digital projection to the latest Christie digital cinema laser projector planned for early next year.