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Recap – LIPA Educational Webinar “Novel Anti-Reflective Surface Treatment for Laser Illuminated Projector Optics”

Speaker: James P. Nole, Director, Business Development at TelAztec LLC.
Burlington, Massachusetts, USA (see: TelAztec.com)

Introduction

LIPA provides its membership with exclusive, Laser illumination related educational webinars. These sessions include technology, devices, integration, optics, testing, applications, trend analysis; regulatory; business and market development and even “Blue Sky” topics, which are designed to stimulate new thinking about the longer-term direction of our industry.

Recap

The Telztec webinar was held on April 25, 2023. Jim Nole introduced the LIPA audience to the history and evolution of TelAztec and then did a “deep-dive” into its unique, optical surface treatment technology. Starting with general capabilities and processes, the presentation then reviewed the primary capability of interest – broad band, anti-reflection surface treatment for high power, laser, fiber, SLM and projector optics.

The last 15 minutes of the session were devoted to audience questions and a discussion of how the technology could support further improvements in Laser-Illuminated projector performance, reliability, and lifetime.

In Case You Missed It…

A PDF of the TelAztec technical presentation and/or a video recording of the session + Q&A, are available to LIPA MEMBERS ONLY by logging in to the LIPA member site, Documents section.

Engineers, R&D personnel, QA professional, reliability specialists will find the presentation both novel and useful. Please promote LIPA and its educational mission within your organization.

Feedback on the presentation as well as suggestions for future technical and business Webinars are welcome. Send to billbeck59a2@gmail.com for incorporation into our ongoing project planning process.

Introducing Tim Ryan, New Chairman of LIPA, the Laser Illuminated Projector Association

Tim Ryan Elected Chairman of the Laser Illuminated Projector Association

Senior Systems Architect
DLP® Performance Imaging & Cinema

Texas Instruments – Founding LIPA Member

Tim Ryan, Senior Systems Architect at Texas Instruments, was elected chairman of the Laser Illuminated Projector Association at the end of 2022. [see: www.LIPAinfo.org] He succeeds Dr. Goran Stojmenovik of Barco, who served as LIPA’s Chairman from 2019 through the end of 2022. Tim and TI were there at the founding of LIPA in May of 2011 and have continued to provide strong support for LIPA’s mission to enable and promote the safe adoption of Laser Illumination Projectors, aka LIPs.

Tim’s long tenure at TI and intimate knowledge of its foundational DLP® spatial light modulation technology provide him with unique perspectives on Laser illuminated projection as LIPA moves into its second decade of industry development.  TI was instrumental in bringing digital projection to Cinema and other important industry segments.  As a chip supplier to numerous projector OEMs and brands, TI was directly involved in the wider adoption of Laser Illumination.

As the early pioneers of Laser projection planned for commercial introduction, they all realized that existing laser light show safety regulations would have to be rationalized for laser illuminated projectors.  This objective was shared by a diverse group of interested parties from chip manufacturers to projector makers, investors, channel partners and end-users and led to the formation of LIPA as a single voice and technical resource for regulatory reform.

LIPA has been very successful in achieving ‘part one’ of its mission with both the US FDA and the IEC.  Global regulations are substantially harmonized, and LIPA has continued to simplify and reduce the cost of compliance for the sale and use of LIPs.

LIPA members have paved the way for the transition from lamp to solid-state Laser illumination for the entire projection industry.  The industry moved from a model of costly lamp replacement to one of Laser light “engines” that can match the longer lifetimes of projectors; save energy and maintenance and eliminate  environmentally unfriendly lamp replacement.  As of 2021, over 50% of projectors sold worldwide (by value) were laser illuminated.

Tim Ryan has built his career seeing the future and building it at TI.  It will be no surprise that he brings this experience to LIPA as well.  His vision for LIPA goes well beyond its original mission of regulatory reform to a much broader approach to future industry and technology development:  He states that “LIPA needs advocates to promote the safe use of Laser projection and a much broader definition of what ‘projection’ itself means.”

This new guiding principal may not seem different from LIPA’s original mission. The “Safe use of LIPs” goal has not changed.  What has and will continue to change is the breadth of technology and application development that now defines “Laser illumination”.  LIPA will extend its efforts to include a much more expansive definition of “projection” including specialized hybrid/adaptive projected lighting; fiber-delivered Laser illumination for remote source lighting; Laser illumination for manufacturing, sensing, remote metrology; even major new applications for location-based Art, Experience and Entertainment. 

This broader vision for LIPA will require the disruptive energy of start-ups, non-traditional partnerships, new Laser technology and the adaptation of Lasers used in other fields.  Consequently, Tim feels that LIPA will also have to recruit new and different types of members from all corners of the industry.  Tim states, “Anyone who is interested in the future of lighting the world around us in an energy efficient and safe manner should consider membership in LIPA essential.”

As Laser illuminated “projection” moves further from the controlled environment of a movie theater, new regulatory cases will arise, continuing the need for the single voice that LIPA helped develop over its first ten years.  Tim Ryan, TI and all of LIPA’s members are well positioned – with the experience, dedication, persistence, and creativity needed for the next decade of application and business development and to continue to promote the safe use of Laser illumination.

BB TR  4/20/23

AGM22 Meeting Highlights

Highlights from the 2022 LIPA Annual General Meeting (AGM22)

Overview

The purpose of this past year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM22) was to provide membership with a formal, “hybrid” (in-person and virtual), update of LIPA’s activities and progress for 2022, via reports from Regulatory, Membership, and Communications committee chairs and support personnel and a wide range of invited speakers and panelists.

The meeting ran for 6+ hours and was divided into 4 sessions: LIPA/Committee Updates; Cinema Update and Roundtable Discussion; Technology Updates and “Blue Sky”- future view.  There were approximately 15 in-person attendees who met in the main theater at Barco and 32 online attendees from around the world.

  • Held (virtually) on Tuesday, December 14, 2022, from 09:00-16:45 CET (3:00 am-10:45pm EST)
  • First in-person AGM since 2019, in Sonoma, California; first at Barco HQ since 2016
  • 17 speakers from 15 companies; 7 members, 4 consultants, 2 guests
  • LIPA membership manufactures and/or supports ~75% of global projector share

Summary of Presenters

SpeakerCompanyTitle/Topic
Dr. Goran StojmenovikBarcoChairman’s Welcome Message and Summary Update; First in-person Meeting since 2019 – at Barco HQ, Kortrijk, Belgium and online
Anabel MartinezAMS – AdminMembership Summary – 11 members + 2 subsidiaries
Bill BeckBTM ConsultingMembership updatesNichia rejoins; Cinionic/Barco, ForMovie/Appotronics subsidiary participation (LIPA Co-founder and former chairman)
Mark RoslonSeiko-EpsonCommunications Update: Communications and Membership merged for 2023; Rich McPherson/NEC retires after 11 years on board; replaced by Reiner Doetzkies as Treasurer
Bill BeckBTM ConsultingCommunications Committee Annual Report: – 8K Update; Global Business Update and HDR/WCG Tutorial Webinar; Types of LIPs article published.
Dr. Goran StojmenovikBarcoRegulatory Business Committee report and update
Dr. Karl SchulmeisterSeibersdorf LaboratoriesNew standard for EU Consumer Laser Product Safety (EN 50689 )
David HancockOMDIACinema Market Update
Dr. Tom Bert Eric Vieth Rich McPherson Jan Rasmussen Wouter Vander ElstBarco, Christie, NEC, NordiskFilm/UNIC, CinemaNextCinema Roundtable: Discussed Market, content supply, LIP technology and market penetration; Energy price and ongoing Covid impact
Shinya MatsudaNichia-EuropeNichia Laser Presentation LIPA 2022 – Status update and Roadmap for RGB laser technology, performance, and potential; multi-die packaging and integration
Mark RoslonSeikoEpsonNew Light Source (multi-die) Packaging Technology
Dr. Tom BertBarcoNew Light Steering Projector and HDR Cinema Specifications
Zu Qiang GuoAppotronicsLight Engine of 4K Laser TV (Ultra-Short Throw)
Jason JiangForMovieGo Big with Laser Display in Home (application or 4K light engine)
Roslon/BeckSeikoEpson/BTMLumen Metrology Working Group (LMWG) – Progress Update
Dr. Alberto AlfierClayPakyLasers for Entertainment – Progress report on performance and regulatory compliance
Pete LudéMission Rock DigitalKeynote: DVLED Update – Progress and Challenges (LIPA Co-founder/first chairman/former SMPTE president)

BOLD Denotes current LIPA member/liaison partner

LIPA AGM 2022 Highlights

  • Dr. Goran Stojmenovik, long-time Chairman and supporter of LIPA welcomed incoming chairman, Tim Ryan, of Texas Instruments, a founding member of LIPA.  He thanked founding member Richard McPherson of SharpNEC Displays for his service as Finance Chair and welcomed Rich’s replacement, Reiner Doetzkies, also of SharpNEC. Goran also thanked retiring member Hideyuki Kanayama of Panasonic for his long service as Regulatory Chairman.
  • Anabel Martinez presented Membership status and announced that Nichia will rejoin LIPA. [Note that Anabel has recently left LIPA/AMS for another position and has been replaced by AMS veteran, Lisa Rodriguez.]
  • Mark Roslon, Communications Chair updated the group on progress and announced the merging of the Membership and Communications committees for 2023.
  • Bill Beck presented a brief overview of the Communications Committee’s activities, highlighting major webinars:  Global Market Update; HDR/WCG for LIPS and DVLEDs and a seminal article on Types of LIPs.
  • Goran presented a short update for the Regulatory Business Committee (RBC) which has focused on evolving regulations for Small Source LIPs.
  • Dr. Karl Schulmeister of Seibersdorf Labs (Austria) presented an update on EU Consumer Laser Product Safety Standard EN 50689 on behalf of the RBC.
  • David Hancock of OMDIA, a longtime supporter of LIPA and current chair of the EDCF (European Digital Cinema Forum) gave an overview of the global cinema business and exhibition as context for a Cinema Roundtable, that included panelists from the three Cinema suppliers (LIPA founding members, Barco, Christie, and NEC), exhibition and distribution.  This session enjoyed vigorous Q&A, was full of insights and challenges and could have gone on for another hour or more.
  • Cinema revenues are still not back to 2019 peak of ~40B USD vs ~27B for 2022. Note however, that this is no longer Covid/exhibition-dominated but driven by the ~24-month lead-time on content still limiting global box office growth.  Residual impact is very much regional with France back to ~75% v. Italy at ~45% of 2019 level revenue.  Global screen count is ~ 212,000.
  • Panelists stressed the importance of sustainability as selling point for LIPs, especially in the context of sharply increasing energy costs.  DVLEDs is still 5 years out and niche.
  • Nichia, a very important global technology leader, presented their comprehensive roadmap for Laser diode fabrication and multi-die packaging.  Of note was their commitment to produce and package Red laser diodes, going beyond their historical leadership in GaN-based Blue and Green devices.
  • Mark Roslon, of SeikoEpson, continued the technology session with a presentation on multi-die packaging of RGB diodes. [Note: Mark will leave LIPA on March 31, as Communications/Membership chair and will be replaced by Jason Meyer, also of SeikoEpson, starting on April 1, 2023.]
  • The technology section continued with a presentation by Dr. Tom Bert of Barco on Light Steering and new HDR specifications for Cinema, recently finalized.  Two presentations on UST 4K Laser TV – technology by Zu Qiang Guo of Appotronics, and home cinema applications by Jason Jiang of ForMovie, an Appotronics subsidiary.
  • Mark Roslon and Bill Beck of the ad hoc Lumen Metrology Working Group (LMWG) gave a progress report of the committee’s study of global specifications and practices for measuring and reporting projector light output (lumens).  The final report of the LMWG will publish April 2023.
  • The AGM wrapped up with its customary “Blue Sky” future view session.  LIPA member Dr. Alberto Alfier of ClayPaky (formerly part of Osram) provided a progress update on the application of Laser Illumination for high function event and stage lighting and the need for precise radiance metrology and “audience sensing” to assure safe operation in public spaces.
  • Invited speaker Pete Ludé, of Mission Rock Digital and LIPA co-founder, presented a comprehensive update of DVLED technology for cinema and professional applications in the context of his 2022 LIPA Webinar on new Cinema (DCI) HDR specifications and other evolving performance vectors. 

Goran closed out the AGM22 by expressing appreciation for all LIPA and invited speakers, members, and guests. He then hosted a tour of the Barco Headquarters facilities and a LIPA networking dinner.

Novel Anti-Reflective Surface Treatment Webinar

Novel Anti-Reflective Surface Treatment Webinar

We will be hosting an interactive Webinar to present and discuss a Novel Anti-Reflective Surface Treatment on April 25, 2023 from 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM PDT (10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EDT). Please join us and please share with your Product Management, Technical, R&D, Engineering and QA personnel!

Jim Nole of TelAztec (www.telaztec.com) will be presenting a webinar on a novel Anti-Reflective surface treatment (not coating) technology for optics that can provide broadband anti-reflection and other controllable properties heretofore not possible or practical with traditional multi-layer A-R coatings.  As laser sources and aggregated RGB beam power levels continue to increase, this technology could provide performance and reliability improvements for LIP systems. 

Jim will present the technology, its application and performance benefits, including narrow or broadband operation, high thermal resistance and large area capability for lenses, mirrors, homogenizing optics, device windows and fiber-end facets.

The webinar will be interactive with a 10-15 minute Q&A session at the end.  

Feel free to invite a colleague or two and submit topics or questions in advance to billbeck59a2@gmail.com

Introduction to a major new LIPA review article:

Title: Types of Laser Illuminated Projectors (LIPs) – Evolution, Tradeoffs and Trends

Author: Bill Beck, aka “The Laser Guy” – with contributions and assistance from LIPA members, past and present; industry pioneers, colleagues, and friends…and several great editors!

The objective of this article is to provide industry participants and observers a framework with which to view the history and evolution of Laser Illuminated Projectors (LIPs). This evolution spans over three decades, although most current movie-goers and projector users know little or nothing about it.

The article attempts to answer big questions like: why did it take so long? What were the major technical challenges? What were the business and external cultural challenges? What is the status of LIP Development? And what are the trends impacting different types of LIPs? The narrative follows the two major technological tracks, namely, Red-Green-Blue lasers (RGB) and Blue Laser-pumped Phosphor (La-Ph), that evolved independently at first, but then synergistically converged and now provide a broad foundation for future innovation and continuous improvement.

Since commercial introduction over 10 years ago, “Laser”, both RGB and La-Ph technologies have grown rapidly, displacing lamp illumination. Laser is truly the “4th generation” of Cinema Projector light and the end of “lamp changes” for all kinds of projectors.

Like many transformational new technologies, it took a very long time for Laser to equal and then surpass lamp illumination in terms of performance and lower total cost of ownership. But as many now have done both, LIPs will continue to grow as the dominant light source for projection.

The article was originally released on 8/31/22 to members only. LIPA is now making an updated version available to the public to help recognize and highlight the contributions that its members have made to the industry and its key role in Laser Safety and regulatory reform. We encourage all to share the article and its extensive Glossary of Technical Terms with colleagues in their various areas of endeavor.

Download Here!

Disclaimer: The author does not represent that all dates, data, and details are precise, but that they are true to the general story line. Photos, diagrams, charts, and captions are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to endorse or promote any product, technology, or approach.

“1H22 Global Market Update” – Key Takeaways

LIPA hosted an informative webinar on 9/29/22. Rosemary Abowd of PMA Research and David Hancock of OMDIA, presented their company data and forecasts for the first half of 2022 (1H22). PMA covered the Global Display market and focused on Professional and Consumer projector segments. OMDIA covered the Global Cinema projector market.

Below are some of the Key Takeaways from the presentations and Q&A exchange with LIPA members.

Overall Projection Market

  • Neither Professional + Consumer nor Cinema markets will finish 2022 ahead of 2019 (pre-pandemic) unit sales levels but for different reasons.
  • Pro/Con has been supply-constrained for a variety of reasons into 2022, but will accelerate into 1H23 as supply catches up with demand
  • Cinema is still content-constrained and will also face additional headwinds in 2023, as disposable income is eaten up by higher energy and other non-discretionary costs
  • The percentage of LIPs sold continues to increase in nearly all categories with shares ranging from 50-90+%, depending on a number of factors
  • Penetration shares increase with price point, lumen level and resolution; with LIPs now available from 3,000 – 60,000 lumens, and up to 8K resolution

Professional and Consumer (Pro/Con)

  • Global Display markets continue to be impacted by Covid and Government policies, past and current and more recently, historic increases in inflation.
  • Global unit volumes declined 6%; revenues declined 4% in 1H22 compared with the same period last year.
  • Full year revenues for 2022 are expected to finish up 5%, and grow 13% in 2023
  • Revenue growth from 2022 to 2026 is forecast to be $8.5B to $12.5B, reversing a 5-year (slight) downtrend
  • Laser share is now over 90% by revenue and units for models 6000lm and up; with resolutions of 4K UHD and higher available
  • LIP growth opportunities exist in Consumer, Education, Corporate and Immersive Venues, based on improved Image Quality, lamp cost elimination, increased light source lifetime and reduced power consumption

Cinema

  • Global screen count continues to grow – up 3% to 213,000, by the end of 2021 vs. the end of 2020 – with nearly all the growth coming from the Asia/Pacific Region.
  • There are now ~7,000 “premium screens”, or roughly 1 in 30. Most of these are laser-illuminated
  • Exhibition has lost an estimated ~$60B since the Pandemic began early in 2020, sending many circuits into survival mode. Since then, there have been a number of acquisitions and consolidations, but few outright bankruptcies, as the industry adjusts to the return of patrons and content flow increases
  • Nearly all countries are “fully open” with China being an important exception. Regional lockdowns there continue to cause uncertainty in a country that now generates 1/3rd of global box office receipts
  • OMDIA reported that the global installed base of LIPs in Cinema is ~16% of the total, equating to ~35,000 worldwide. [Ed. Note: there may be some error in this estimate as some of the data is inferential]
  • They also report that 2 of the 3 Cinema projector suppliers are selling >50% LIPs in 2022
  • The Pandemic and resulting disruption and uncertainty have destroyed the idea of an orderly “replacement wave”, anticipated as Series 1 and 2 projectors reached the end of their expected life. Instead, exhibitors often “repair rather than replace” and have converted to laser on an “as needed” basis.
  • At this point, Cinema revenue is still not back to peak 2019 level. This is largely due to the 18 to 24 month lead-time needed to produce new content. Two “Billion Dollar” titles this summer proved that if the content is compelling the patrons will come out, indicating that for the most part, direct Pandemic impact is over.
  • Depending on region, box office is back to 50-90% of pre-pandemic levels with an overall recovery of ~80% vs. 2019.
  • Cinema will not return to 2019 (previous peak) level until 2023. Timing will be region dependent

Laser Illumination progress

  • Cinema installed base is ~15-20% Laser, with much higher penetration rates for PLF and new multiplexes
  • The overwhelming majority of both Cinema and non-cinema LIPs are Laser-Phosphor (or more recently, RGB+Laser-Phosphor Hybrids) with “pure” RGB growing slowly. RGB acceptance is still held back by the perception of speckle
  • Rapidly increasing Energy costs will favor LIPs, as they are more efficient and require less cooling than Xenon based projectors
  • Highly optimized RGB+Laser-Phosphor hybrid light engines continue to reduce the TCO of LIPs vs Lamps
  • In the Professional/Consumer segments, Laser Illumination shares of unit volumes and revenues are forecast to increase in 2023 to 28% and 62% respectively; with RGB attaining ~5% share by revenue
  • LIPA member manufacturers LIP shares ranged from 50% to near 100% by revenue in 2Q2022

Question and Answer Session

  • The group discussed the likely impact of rapidly increasing Energy costs and concluded that given a desire and ability to purchase, LIP direct and indirect OPEX savings would be higher with higher power costs, but that general inflation might discourage that decision to purchase. This could substantially impact various business models.
  • PMA pointed out that in general FPDs are competitive with Projectors, but above 80” diagonal image size, laser projectors begin to have a price advantage for both hardware and installation that increases as image size gets bigger
  • DVLEDs were discussed in the context of their threat to LIPs. Although comparable in terms of image quality, they are still more expensive and even more so when construction, installation, and skilled installation-labor shortages are considered.
  • However, DVLEDs are making inroads in content production workflows (virtual movie sets) where they have higher prices, unique benefits and custom installation costs are supportable
  • Some Cinema DVLED are “HDR-capable” but so far, little content is available that is mastered in HDR (for Cinema or Streaming). This will change over time as DCI has recently ratified a new HDR specification for Cinema exhibition. Note that HDR/WCG will be the topic of the next LIPA Webinar on October 26, 2022. See: www.LIPAinfo.org for details.

Types of Laser-Illuminated Projectors – History, Evolution, Trends and Technical Glossary

Types of Laser-Illuminated Projectors – History, Evolution, Trends and Technical Glossary

The following article was written by Bill Beck, co-founder, past chairman and current Communications Consultant for LIPA.  It provides the reader with a structured history of the technical and then commercial developments that have brought Laser illumination from the R&D labs to its current position as the dominant new illumination technology.

The article includes the early history of Laser illuminated (LIP) prototyping; the evolution of both RGB Laser and Laser-Phosphor (La-Ph) illumination technologies; the two main application tracks of early commercialization and the current proliferation of optimized Laser and La-Ph technologies and LIP applications of all kinds. It also includes an extensive “LIP Glossary” with in -document links to the definitions of acronyms, technical terms and “buzz words”.

The purpose of the article is to provide LIPA Members – their Representatives and colleagues – with a common historical and technical framework from which to view and discuss the current-status and future trends of LIPs and their applications.  The author does not claim that the article is 100% accurate in all details; but rather, conceptually, and usefully descriptive of past developments and current trends. The author and LIPA welcome comments, corrections, additions, and clarifications and where material, will publish them from time to time in future Blog Posts.

The governing board of LIPA has reserved the use of this article for members only for the next 90 days (through the end of November 30, 2022) as a benefit of their paid membership.  During this time, LIPA Members and Representatives are encouraged to read, share, and discuss with colleagues, both to develop a consensus historical record and to educate their newer members who may not have personally “lived through” the long and complex development of this important new product category.

The article will be distributed to LIPA Members only on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.  We look forward to your comments and their contribution to a more complete and colorful understanding of the story of LIPs.

LIPA 1H22 Market Update Webinar

LIPA 1H22 Market Update Webinar

What:

An interactive Webinar to present and discuss 1H22 Global Sales, Revenue and Market Data for Commercial/Professional/Education (Non-Cinema) and Cinema/PLF market segments. The first hour will include interactive presentations, followed by a 20 to 30-minute, moderated panel discussion.

When: 

Thursday, September 29, 2022 

  • 22:30-24:00 (Tokyo)
  • 21:30-23:00 (Beijing)
  • 15:30-17:00 CET (Brussels)
  • 14:30-18:00 (London)
  • 09:30-11:00 EDT (New York)
  • 08:30-10:00 CDT (Texas)
  • 06:30-08:00 PDT (Los Angeles)

Who:

Rosemary Abowd

PMA Research

From the PMA website:

By any measure PMA’s team is by far the most experienced of any firm engaged in display market research today. The PMA team includes executives from Hitachi, Toshiba, and InFocus as well as other display-related manufacturers. And with offices in in Asia, Europe and the United States, PMA continually has a complete and balanced view of worldwide developments and trends in the display business.

David Hancock

Omdia

From the Omdia website:

Omdia unifies and harnesses the depth and breadth of expertise from Informa Tech’s legacy research brands: Ovum, IHS Markit Technology [Screen Digest], Tractica and Heavy Reading. We bring you unparalleled, world-class research and consultancy to navigate the now and create the future.

Both Rosemary and David have presented their data summaries and insights to LIPA members a number of times. They bring world class reporting and many years of experience tracking LIPA’s markets and Laser Projection in particular since its introduction more than ten years ago.

Why attend?

LIPA member Representatives and their Management, Marketing and Sales colleagues are invited and encouraged to attend this interactive Global Market Update.  It will cover quantitative analysis for the first half of 2022.  Unit sales and revenue by major categories, brightness levels, Laser vs. Lamp illumination and other useful metrics.  Audience members are encouraged to ask detailed questions during the presentations and then join Rosemary, David, and several LIPA “moderators” in a panel discussion of market, business and technical trends, new products, threats from other technologies and of course, thoughts on the mostly-post-Covid market situation.

Participants may send questions in advance to: billbeck59a2@gmail.com or ask them at any time during the 90-minute session, live or via the chat box. 

We look forward to an informative and thought-provoking session and to involving members of your organizations that don’t normally participate in our events and discussions. The session will be recorded if you cannot attend during the scheduled time slot.

We hope to see on September 29th.

CineEurope 2022 – Highlights and Trends

CineEurope 2022 – Highlights and Trends

June 20-23 at Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB)

Highlights

  • Overall mood was upbeat and optimistic, buoyed by a (Helicopter) fly-in appearance by Tom Cruise in support of the industry and his record-breaking sequel to Top Gun, Top Gun: Maverick. The recent release, having surpassed $1B in box office by June 27th, further supports already upbeat predictions for 2022 box office recovery. The audience greeted his arrival with a 5-minute standing ovation.
  • Avatar 2 and the resurrection of 3D were previewed, further pointing to “better days” and Box Office, ahead
  • Industry experts predicted that 2022 Box Office will finish at $31.5B, only about 20% off 2019’s record level of $42B. (Gower Street Analytics)
  • The conference itself was upbeat but still not quite back to pre-pandemic levels, especially attendance by smaller exhibitors and suppliers

Trends and Numbers

  • Global Screen Count, now at 213,000, has held up well despite 2 years of lockdowns, cost cutting and market uncertainties.
  • Recovery in Europe varies widely by country.  France is strong, aided by 40% locally generated content throughout the pandemic.  Germany and Spain lag in recovery.
  • Penetration of Laser Illuminated [Cinema] Projectors (LIPs) in Europe was reported to be only around 10%, suggesting that estimates of global LIP adoption in Cinema may not be as high previously reported.
  • One large “All Laser” (and all 4K) deal – PVR India – for a 1,000-screen buildout was announced.  New builds more often take advantage of All LIP technology conversions
  • 2K LIPs continue to be important as many customers seek ways to upgrade to Laser projectors but as economically as possible.
  • However, one Cinema projector maker continues to market Xenon projectors, even 4K models with advanced features alongside their RGBe and Real|Laser Ô projectors.
  • Sustainability is a strong trend, favoring the long-lifetime and near zero consumables of LIPs.  Easier maintenance with reusable filters was also pushed.
  • Exhibitors of all sizes are finding ways to “premiuminize” their offering, at the circuit – partnering with a branded PLF; multiplex – providing an in-house PLF offering and even within individual auditoria.  One exhibitor has been successful carving out 20-25% of seats per room for a premium experience – with seats, sound, 4D effects and other amenities supporting higher ticket prices
  • Business discussions reflected a focus more on traffic and attendance, driving number of visits per year vs. spend per patron.  This only makes sense for an effort to get patrons back into a cinemagoing routine rather than for once a year, expensive events.

Summary

From all reports, CineEurope 2022 continued the upbeat impressions from Cinemacon 2022, in both mood and numbers. There is ongoing growth in Box Office, from blockbusters and in the aggregate; manufacturer deals and new products; and with the continued progress of LIPs in supporting a better, more consistent Cinema experience while reducing total cost of ownership and improving long-term sustainability for exhibitors.

2021 AGM Highlights

Highlights from the 2021 LIPA Annual General Meeting Presentations

Held (virtually) on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, from 8am-12pm EST

15 speakers from 14 companies; 6 members, 2 previous-members, 6 consultants

Summary of Presenters

Speaker Company Title/Topic
Goran Stojmenovik Barco Chairman’s Welcome Message
Anabel Martinez AMSL – Admin Membership Summary
Wei Gu Appotronics Membership report/new member introductions
Mark Roslon Seiko-Epson New Communications Chairman
Bill Beck BTM Consulting Communications Committee Annual Report
Goran Stojmenovik Barco Regulatory Committee report and update
Karl Schulmeister Seibersdorf Laboratories New EU Consumer Laser Product Safety Standard EN 50689
Rosemary Abowd PMA Research Projector Market Overview – Pandemic Chain Reaction
David Hancock OMDIA Cinema Rebuilding after Existential (Covid) Crisis
Wei Gu Appotronics/ForMovie Ultra-Short-Throw 4K Laser Projection TV Market update
Brian Montalbano Nichia-USA Nichia Laser Presentation LIPA 2021
Caspar J.W. Ruan Foxconn On study of Multi-emitter RGB Semiconductor Laser
Dr. Yu Xin Appotronics Laser Phosphor Hybrids (PJs and Laser TV) technical update
Pete Ludé Mission Rock Digital Projecting the Future of Projectors (and other display options
Kristofer Oberascher Texas Instruments Phase Modulation for LIPs
Alberto Alfier Osram-ClayPaky Laser Illuminated Lighting Progress
Greg Niven Kyocera-SLD Laser Lighting Update from Kyocera-SLD

Denotes current LIPA member

Annual General Meeting (AGM2021) purpose is to provide membership with a formal update of LIPA’s activities progress for the year via reports from Regulatory, Communications and Membership committee members.

The meeting ran for 4+ hours and was divided into 4 sessions: LIPA/Committee updates; Market Updates; Technology Updates and “Blue Sky” Future View.  There were 43 “video visitors” – 35 members, 5 speakers and 3 guests.

LIPA 2021 Highlights –

  • Chairman Goran Stojmenovik of Barco welcomed all participants and highlighted the fact that LIPA celebrated the 10th anniversary of its founding in May 2011 at a Video Meeting in May
  • Goran recognized fellow officers: Richard McPherson of SharpNEC – Treasurer and Tim Ryan of TI, Secretary
  • LIPA’s Membership Chairman, Wei Gu of Appotronics, welcomed 2 new members – Foxconn (Hon Hai) and Dolby Labs
  • LIPA introduced newly appointed Communications Chairman, Mark Roslon from Seiko-Epson
  • Bill Beck of BTM Consulting, reviewed the Committees activities and projects for 2021, including a number of regulatory bulletins, articles, blog posts, and a Global (virtual) Celebration of LIPA’s 10th Anniversary attended by over 80 participants: current and past members, founders and LIP pioneers going back to 1992
  • Goran, Introduced Takashi Ikeda of Panasonic as new Regulatory Chairman, who replaced founding member Hideyuki Kanayama, also of Panasonic, who retired recently
  • LIPA’s Regulatory Committee produced and published 3 new Bulletins in 2021
    • Laser Light Show (LLS) variances for Dealers and Distributors
    • FDA variance Separation Height (SH) requirement reduced from 3m to 2.5 m
    • Traditional Lamp Illumination regulation harmonized with Laser illumination based on Risk Group “Equal Footing” finally established
  • The Regulatory Committee updated the audience on the Small Source Task Force’s report to the FDA. Goal is to push for “no variance” classification Risk Group 2 for very small chip w/angular subtense under 5mrad

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