In 2014, NEC's projector launched the world's first DCI-certified laser all-in-one machine, which heralded the strong force of film digitalization and accelerated the development of industry technology. Since then, NEC projectors have adhered to the technical concept of self-developed laser machines, constantly made breakthroughs in technology and polished products, and strived to provide users with high-quality and high-reliability projection tools. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of NEC's laser projectors, we have carefully launched a series of columns "Laser · Ten Years" to review with you the ten years of NEC's projectors laying the foundation and accumulating momentum.
Up to now, NEC's self-developed laser all-in-one machine has been installed as many as 12,000 units nationwide. Behind such remarkable results, how can NEC's laser projectors win the favor of the market? In this issue, we will reveal the relationship between NEC projectors and lasers.
The evolution of light sources: from the evergreen light bulb to the laser boom
As we all know, the colorful world of light and shadow that we see can be obtained by mixing R (red) G (green) B (blue) light in different proportions. The same is true for film projection, where the digital cinema projector uses three DMD chips to "carefully modulate" the three primary colors of light to present a wonderful movie picture.
Digital cinema projectors project color images by modulating RGB
The development process of the cinema light source is a process of continuous progress and innovation in science and technology, from the original traditional xenon light source and mercury light source, and gradually into the modern laser light source with high efficiency, stability and long life. With the continuous maturity of the commercialization of laser technology, NEC projector has an extremely forward-looking vision, insight into the laser light source will become the mainstream trend of future film projection, and took the lead in the industry to put forward the concept of "projector light source laserization", and began to invest a lot of energy in the self-development of NEC laser integrated projector, in 2014 successfully launched the world's first DCI certified integrated laser projector, thus opening the era of laser projection.
Lasers have many advantages as a light source for projectors
Deep cultivation and innovation, ingenuity creates excellence
The milestone "good start" has made NEC's laser projector stand out in the film market and attract the attention of the industry. Taking advantage of this momentum, NEC projectors uphold the principle of independent research and development, and strive to achieve the ultimate in every detail of technological innovation and ingenuity quality. In the past ten years, NEC projectors have insisted on selecting the world's top components and integrating the latest laser technology to create an ultra-long-life laser light source, which can last up to 50,000 hours (under standard use conditions), and the light efficiency has been improved by an astonishing 70%, continuing to lead the laser projection technology to new heights.
Monochrome, two-color or three-color, how to choose?
As a leader in laser projectors, NEC projectors are the first to achieve comprehensive coverage of all three laser source technologies, and have successively introduced DCI-compliant monochrome, tri-color and dual-color laser projectors. With the increasing popularity of laser projectors in the market, the industry has gradually launched a heated discussion on the three laser source technologies.
The two-color laser excites green fluorescence through the phosphor wheel to form RGB tricolor
The three light sources have their own characteristics and serve the market with their skills. However, although the three-color laser is known for its excellent color gamut coverage, it also inevitably faces the challenge of "speckle", which significantly weakens the audience's viewing enjoyment, and may even cause visual fatigue and physical discomfort when watching for a long time.
Due to the high coherence of the laser, when it is reflected on the rough surface of the metal screen, a physical interference phenomenon called "speckle" occurs, just like different rays of light "fighting" in various positions on the screen, forming independent and irregular light and dark "teams", resulting in a "ground glass effect".
Speckle phenomenon of a three-color laser on a rough metal screen
In consideration of the user's viewing experience, NEC's projector technical team weighed the advantages and disadvantages of various light sources, and gradually shifted the focus of research and development to monochrome and bi-color laser light sources, which can effectively avoid the problem of "speckle" while still providing excellent brightness, color saturation and stability, bringing a more comfortable and immersive viewing experience to the audience. This transformation of NEC's projectors not only reflects its keen insight into technological innovation, but also a deep understanding and responsiveness to user needs.
epilogue
From taking the lead in creating and launching the application scheme of laser all-in-one machine to the continuous precipitation of self-developed technology iteration, and then to the accumulation of product reputation, NEC projectors have always walked on the road of technology first and user-oriented, and will continue to implement it.
NEC's projectors not only focus on the advantages of light source technology, but also have an ingenious concept in the design of the whole machine. In the next issue, we will analyze the comprehensive optimization of the laser machine algorithm for you. Stay tuned!