Your Home Theater Sucks

[eddiememphis]

I did an inspection today at a movie treater.

The projectors are massive. About 5 feet long, 3 high and 2 wide.

They have their own duct work to remove the heat.

I asked the manager how much they cost and she didn't know but said the bulbs are $5000 each.

A bit of research and they may be $200,000 or so. Plus all the ancillary bullshit to make the movie experience, including the banks of audio equipment.

I asked how they received the movies and she said they are shipped hard drives that control everything. They put them in the machines and control them from downstairs.

I would have asked many more questions but she "had emails to answer".

I would have enjoyed getting much more information about how everything works.



The projector unit. The duct is coming off it to remove the heat from the 4500 watt bulb.

They all had two lenses coming out of the front with some kind of deflector on the front. When I looked through the window into the theater, Indiana Jones' face was incredibly clear and I was 100 feet from the screen.

I wasn't able to take too many pictures because it was almost dark up there. The unit I was able to photograph was at the end of the projector hall and there was nothing showing in that theater.



Infrared of the system. The bright spot in the center shows how much heat is being drawn from the projector.

I know this is not gun related and likely no one cares but I found it very interesting- one of those behind the scenes things that not very many people get to see.

[.455_Hunter]

What is the mechanism for the image transfer from digital signal to projected optic image? Some sort of transparent LCD/plasma/LED screen in front of the bulb?

[flogger]

That is crazy to see something like that, you never really think about the projectors in a theater and how they work.

What kind of inspection were you doing? I'm guessing these things need certifications for public safety and insurance coverage. Very cool!

[3beansalad]

Yep, my home theater sucks. But it's at home near the bourbon!

[wctriumph]

My first job was as a usher/ concessions worker in a large movie theater. 1234 seats. I used to help out the projectionists sometimes on my days off. Long time ago, over 50 years ago. Light was provided by carbon arc like those big search lights. Lots of other stuff goes into showing a movie. The film was 35 mm and came on reels that were loaded and threaded through sprockets and tension wheels. Just before the reel changed a bell would ring on the projector. The projectionist would fire up the light on the other projector. When the marker would show up on the screen, like a circle in the upper right corner, he would start the projector running and then a second circle would appear and he would throw a lever and a blind would close one projector window and open the window to the other projector. When done correctly the audience would never notice any difference on the screen.

[eddiememphis]

What is the mechanism for the image transfer from digital signal to projected optic image? Some sort of transparent LCD/plasma/LED screen in front of the bulb?

I don't know. That was my question as well- How does this thing work???

When I got home, I started to look it up but is very complicated- a lot odd mirrors that both reflect and allow pass through of certain colors and some prisms that refocus the images plus the intensity of the bulb...

It would make a lot more sense if it was film and a bulb.

[eddiememphis]

That is crazy to see something like that, you never really think about the projectors in a theater and how they work.

What kind of inspection were you doing? I'm guessing these things need certifications for public safety and insurance coverage. Very cool!

I have to be a bit evasive here.

I can't tell you where I did it.

But if you remember May and June, there was a lot of rain.

Leaky roofs and natural material like the brown paper backing drywall are perfect media for organic growth.

That growth can cause allergic reactions to some people.

In this case, there was a person that had symptoms of certain allergies so I was called out to test the area that had the water intrusion issues.

[ray1970]

I doubt it?s overly complex. Probably just something like this only on steroids.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/epson-e...?skuId=6514554

[mb504]

I doubt it?s overly complex. Probably just something like this only on steroids.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/epson-e...?skuId=6514554

Or a smaller version of this:

https://www.projectorcentral.com/Bar...o_XDL-4K75.htm


Brightness: 72,600 ANSI Lumens

Resolution: 4096x2160

Aspect Ratio: 1.89:1 (4K HD)

Contrast: 2,800:1 (full on/off)

Display Type: 1.40" DLP x 3

3D Modes: Full HD 3D

Lamp Type: RGB Laser

Lamp Life: 15,000 hours

Included Lens: No

Projector Size: 27.80" x 29.30" x 56.90" (HxWxD)

Weight: 520.0 lbs

Internal Speakers: No

Power: 9,700 Watts

[Scanker19]

I have a VCR.