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CineMaster help guide

Welcome to the Christie CineMaster Help Guide. We created this document to help you use this tool to find the perfect projector, lamp, and lens combination that fits your cinema. Each section below corresponds to an input metric on the calculator and explains how to provide the best input.

Select “Projector Type” first

The resolution and illumination type are an individual preference. You can learn more about what is available and benefits of technologies at lamptolaser.com.

Select your preferred resolution and illumination:

Working with screen dimensions

Entering accurate values for screen dimensions into CineMaster is important to ensure the output produces a working solution. The input fields for screen dimensions were designed to be as easy and quick as possible and help to avoid erroneous input. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when entering screen dimension data.

Examples of how the throw distance can be different from lens to screen center
depending on projected angle and screen curve.

Examples of how the throw distance can be different from lens to screen center depending on projected angle and screen curve.

Lens options

There are up to six different lens options depending on the system selected. You can customize your system by selecting a lens with higher sequential contrast and improved image sharpness. All higher contrast lenses (HC and UHC) will improve contrast with a brightness reduction trade-off. CineMaster uses information about the lens you select to properly size the projector selection to ensure brightness output is sufficient. To learn more about which lens is right, see the Cinema Lenses page on our website: Christie cinema lenses

High Brightness (HB)

High Brightness Premium (HB-P)

High Contrast (HC)

High Contrast Premium (HC-P)

Ultra-High Contrast (UHC)

Ultra-High Contrast Premium (UHC-P)

Selecting 3D for your cinema

When you check the “Include 3D” box, CineMaster will reveal more settings to help you select a system that will accommodate both 2D and 3D images on one screen. The output will now include Brightness calculations for 2D and 3D formats.

What brightness is right?

CineMaster lets you enter the brightness you require for both 2D and 3D, then select a system that will produce at least the brightness you have entered. This value represents the brightness you require in the center of the screen.

3D system efficiency

Providing accurate 3D system efficiencies will allow CineMaster to select a system that can provide the required brightness.

Light drop-off due to lamp age and power headroom

Providing required brightness power headroom will allow CineMaster to select a system that can maintain the brightness needed over the expected lifetime of the projector.

Light drop-off due to lamp age (%) appears when a Xenon projector type is selected at the top.

Power headroom (%) appears when a laser projector type is selected at the top.

Screen gain

Screen reflectivity or gain, plays a big part in how much of the projected light reaches the viewer’s eye. There are many different types of cinema screens to choose from, each with their own characteristics. A new screen will have a reflectivity rating that can be used in CineMaster input. As screens age, gain will change, possibly by a large amount, resulting in light loss. If the screen is not new or the gain is unknown, measurements can be taken using a matte white reference to determine the actual screen gain. It is very important to enter an accurate number for screen gain in CineMaster.

Port window efficiency

Good quality projection port window glass will block very little light to the screen. Typical high quality port glass is of a specific type with anti-reflective treatment which increases transmissivity by reducing back reflection. If the glass is not new or transmissivity or efficiency of the glass is not known, light measurements can be taken to verify the efficiency.