The Laser Illuminated Projector
Association (LIPA) recently completed a series of member activities that will
help drive commercialization of this exciting technology. LIPA is charged with
the goals of explaining the benefits of laser illuminated projectors,
advocating for a positive regulatory environment, and developing appropriate
training guidelines.The founding member companies of LIPA met in May 2011 and elected a
Governing Board which includes Peter Gerets of Barco, Michael Esch of Christie
Digital, David Schnuelle of Dolby, Steve Read of IMAX, William Beck of Laser
Light Engines, Richard McPherson of NEC Displays, and Greg Niven of
Ushio/NECSEL. Peter Lude’, senior vice president-solutions engineering at Sony,
was elected board chairman. Lude’ has more than 25 years of experience in the
broadcast industry and is currently president of the Society of Motion Picture &
Television Engineers (SMPTE).
The LIPA board met again in August 2011 and elected Zhihua Gong of
Phoebus Vision to the Governing Board. At that meeting Corning Specialty
Materials, Delta (Display Solutions Business Unit), Harkness Screens, Mitsubishi
Electric, Philips, Projection Design, RealD Inc., Schneider Kreuznach, and Texas
Instruments joined at other membership levels. The rapid growth of LIPA’s
membership signifies the interest of the projector industry in moving forward
with laser illumination light sources in digital projectors.
Industry-led committees were formed by the board to drive internal
and external communications, regulatory technology and business issues, member
recruitment, and finances.
A membership workshop preceded the August Governing Board meeting
and focused on the introduction and adoption of laser illuminated projectors.
The session was chaired by Pete Lude’ of Sony and featured Casey Stack of Laser
Compliance.
Topics addressed included:
·
A summary of the current regulatory
environment worldwide, including laser use, standards, and governing laws;
·
A listing and responsibilities of
regulatory and standards organizations worldwide;
·
A description of the benefits of regulatory
harmonization; and
·
Strategies to consider to obtain
regulatory approval
LIPA members are already showing progress - Kodak demonstrated an
11K-lumen digital laser projector in October 2010 and Barco recently announced
that a demonstration of its revolutionary laser light engine on a giant screen
is scheduled for the 2nd Annual Moody Digital Cinema Symposium,
which will be held in January 2012.
The August workshop concluded with a Q&A session that helped identify
next steps in defining specific regulatory
requirements from several U.S. states
and from other countries; interaction with governing institutions
and the approval process; critical issues of installation for theatre
owners/operators; and potential LIPA
liaisons with groups in the theatre industry.
