Sony CineAlta Seminar report
 

I went to the Sony HD seminar today that was at the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF). I won't bore you with my usual long-winded posts as this seminar was not directly related to most of what we all do around here.

Here are a few things I found interesting:

1. HD projection on Sony's new 4k resolution 20k lumen projector was fantastic. It was at least as nice as a good 35mm print on a well-calibrated projector on opening day where no dust and scratches have been able to pollute the film. It may even be better. It really makes HD look fantastic. The best part is that the 100th HD showing will look the same as the first.

2. There are lots of digitally-originated films out there. "Prairie Home Companion" seemed like something old-fashioned that should be shot on film, but it was digital and looked quite nice on the big digital screen. Part of Clint Eastwood's new war epic is shot on a Z1!

3. Sony has just announced a full 4k lineup from camera all the way to projection.

4. Digital projection seems to have it's foot in the door in theaters, but the transition is going to cost the people with the least money (theater owners) the most. Someone needs to find a way to share the load between Hollywood and the theater owners before digital is at the theaters.

5. Home theater with quality equipment is catching up with theaters. 2k projection is still the norm and it is not too far off 1080p.

The world has gone over the precipice of HD. It is going to be a race to figure out which handle to pull to make the parachute pop out so the landing will be soft. 4k looks amazing, but quality HD in the home is a fairly decent alternative. Is the movie-industry doomed? Probably not, but they need to get back to the head of the pack if they want to survive comfortably.

The best part is that recent HDV cameras seem to fit in with the future model nicely.