Stewart Filmscreen has solved a nice problem, using a little math and a lot of R&D resources. The company wanted to put both 3D and 2D capabilities into one screen so that those early adopters who are buying 3D-ready projectors now won't have to worry about using separate screens for viewing 2D and 3D content. Add up the Ds, and you've got Stewart's new Silver 5D screen material.
Unfortunately using the new 5D screen formulation won't send you back in time, but it will give you equally strong performance for either 2D or 3D viewing. This new fabric combines the passive 3D polarization seen in Stewarts's Silver 3D fabric, while boasting a nice 2D performance as well. It also boasts improved uniformity, less hot spotting, and a wider viewing cone than Stewart's previous products or its competitors.
Available in sizes up to 40 by 90 deep, Stewart plans to roll out the 5D fabric over the next quarter in fixed frame products. MicroPerforated Silver 5D products should be coming sometime in the first quarter of 2011.
Compatible with Stewart's CineCurve, Directors Choice masking systems and all other premium Stewart fixed mounting systems, the company says a typical Silver 5D install with a 10-foot, 2.4:1 CineCurve and 2-way AcoustiMask system with MicroPerfing will cost about $19,799.
Editor's note: the need for a silver 3D-friendly screen material is more for the high-end dual projector home theater systems that use circular polarization (and two projection systems) with passive 3D glasses to create the 3D effect. Active shutter projection solutions do not require a 3D-specific screen material as they alternate images on screen in frame sequential mode, which can be done perfectly well with standard screen materials.
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