SRX-R510DS: Sony anticipates its new solution for dual projection

The new SRX-R510DS combines two SRX-R510 projectors to deliver a total of 18,000 lumens.

At the end of this year, Sony will feature a new dual projection system aimed at movie theater owners on tight budgets. The new SRX-R510DS combines two SRX-R510 projectors to deliver a total of 18,000 lumens, a sufficient level of brightness for smaller standalone theaters and boutique theaters looking to impress their viewers with a high-quality entertainment experience.

With the addition of the SRX-R510DS, Sony offers a full range of 4K projection solutions compatible with the DCI standard for cinemas of all sizes. The new product joins the SRX-R515DS dual 4K system for large format displays that was announced at CinemaCon last year.

David McIntosh, Vice President of Sony Digital Cinema 4K Solutions in Europe and America, acknowledges that "we are seeing incredible market interest in our high-brightness dual projection systems, which offer the unrivaled clarity of Sony 4K, and do not come with the price and high operating costs of untested laser products from other suppliers. This new dual projection solution, which fits perfectly in the range from the R515P systems to the R515DS, is ideal for any cinema with high ambitions in terms of brightness and image quality.”

Customers using the current SRX-R515DS system include Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Latin American operator Cine Center, which has recently installed four systems in Bolivia. In Europe, Cinecittà Neurenberg and Broadway Kino Ramstein in Germany, Showcase in the United Kingdom and Mars Cinema Group in Turkey have joined, which has incorporated the dual 4K system to eight of its premium large format screens.

HPM multi-lamp

Of note, the HPM (high-pressure mercury) multi-lamp array of the RX-R510DS and SRX-R515DS systems saves on electricity bills, while effectively avoiding the risk of screen blackout. Even if a lamp fails, the presentation continues, without preventing viewers from continuing to enjoy the movie. Replacing the lamps is done quickly and easily. Room owners also have the option to run playbacks with a reduced number of lamps on to suit their operating preferences.

The SRX-R510DS, with an industry-leading average contrast ratio of 8000:1, promises vivid, deep projections and radiant highlights.

The pair of SRX-R510 projectors will offer a total of 18,000 lumens of light output, achieving 2D reference lighting levels on screens up to 15 meters (with gain of 1.8) and up to 17.8 meters wide for 3D on silver screens, with gain of 2.4. From Sony, they ensure that Sony's highly efficient HPM multi-lamp array and advanced SXRD optical system offer 3D screen brightness equal to or greater than 4 kW xenon-based single lamp solutions.

In addition, the SRX-R510DS also provides Sony's fully immersive 3D system, which ensures a high level of on-screen brightness that other systems can only achieve through lighting doubling technologies. 3D movies released in 2K are converted to equivalent 4K resolution, with left and right eye images presented simultaneously. Setting up the system to switch between 2D and 3D presentation is quick and easy and does not require changing lenses.

The DCI-compliant projector can be configured for side-by-side operation or aligned vertically to fit any projection stand. Installation is easier thanks to the included intelligent automatic alignment system.