The eleventh Chinese Digital Cinema Forum took place in Beijing on 28-29 August 2014. Experts from China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT) and the digital cinema industry convened to discuss several crucial topics, including the role laser projection technology will play in developing the Chinese film market.

Discussion centered on two major trends in the Chinese film industry: e-commerce and laser projection. On the morning of the forum's first day, participants shared their thoughts on these up-and-coming trends in two panel discussion, "New Laser Technology" and "E-commerce in the Big Data Era."


Off to a rousing start

The forum's keynote speaker was none other than Bill Beck, the Laser Illuminated Projector Association (LIPA) co-founder renowned throughout the industry as "The Laser Guy." Beck walked attendees through the development of laser projection technology and put forward some constructive suggestions on technologies such as RGB and BPP.

Beck is excited about the technology's future. "With the rise of 3D films, laser technology is not only a high-quality alternative to the traditional xenon lamp, but an excellent tool for improving picture quality and brightness," he says. "The commercialization of laser-illuminated projectors will popularize 4K, high-frame-rate, and high-dynamic-range film technologies, which will ultimately drive theater projection to a much higher level and give audiences an unparalleled movie going experience."

From prototype to production

Barco, a global leader in digital cinema projection technology, was at the heart of the discussions. "The prototype for Barco's RGB laser projector debuted in 2011," says Dr. Clark Xu, director of CFG-Barco's Strategic Business Development division. "It went into commercial production this year, which is really a great leap forward. So far, more than 30 Barco laser projectors have been ordered by customers all over the world-testimony to Barco's leading position in the industry. Our RGB laser projector, which targets large-format and premium screens theaters, makes it possible to give audiences a viewing experience that's sharper and brighter than anything they've seen before. "

Barco's first commercial laser projector is the DP4K-60L . Featuring 60,000 lumens, a 30,000-hour lifetime, and a proprietary design that effectively removes perceptible laser speckle, the DP4K-60L is the best of its kind, enabling unprecedented colors, image quality, and brightness.

A bright future

Experts from DMAX and CFG-APPO, a newly founded laser illumination provider, also shared their views on the impact that laser technology will have on the Chinese film industry. They and other industry insiders at the forum were unanimously positive. "I saw a great passion for using laser projection technology and related products in the Chinese market," Beck says. "I believe laser projection technology has a bright future in China."

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