New Hardware and Software Anticipate December 2012 Release of First Hobbit Film

Christie will debut new hardware at Showeast next week that will allow movie theaters to show The Hobbit and the two Avatar prequels at the revolutionary higher frame rates favored by directors Peter Jackson and James Cameron using a single projector.
The new integrated media block (IMB), pictured above, will work with all of the company’s Solaria Series 2 projectors and comes in three versions – the basic model runs 2D and 3D footage at 2K in standard frame rates, an upgraded version adds frame rates of 48 fps and 60 fps, and the top-shelf version will run those frame rates at 4K resolution. The IMB will be installed inside the actual projector, replacing external servers that are commonly used today and solving the problem of the bandwidth required to get a 4K 60fps stereo 3D signal into the projector in the first place. Christie also said the IMB uses off-the-shelf storage rather than proprietary components.

Christie also announced a software upgrade for the Solaria projectors that includes a system called Previsto that will prepare them to handle the higher frame rates.

Jackson dipped into accelerated frame rates when he announced that his two-film version of The Hobbit would be shot at 48 fps; Cameron seems poised to dive into the deep end, indicating that he’s thinking about shooting the new Avatar installments at 60 fps. Whatever he decides, Christie will make sure to keep up – it has a five-year deal with Lightstorm Entertainment related to research, testing, and devlopment of the high-frame-rate systems, including building out new screening rooms for the forthcoming Avatar films.

Of course, nobody needs the technology today because there are no current feature films shot at 48 fps. But Christie is expecting exhibitors to start thinking now about the relatively near future – the first Hobbit film is slated for release in December 2012.

For more information: www.higherframerates.com.