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Visit biografmuseet.dk about Danish cinemas

 

Compact Distribution Print by Todd-AO
CDP: JUST THE FACTS

Read more at
in70mm.com
The 70mm Newsletter
Written by: Dr Richard Vetter, Todd-AO Date: 01.01.2020
Some misleading information has appeared recently in film industry publications that concerns the Compact Distribution Print, or CDP. Unfortunately, the quoted sources have not seen CDP demonstrations, so the opinions expressed are speculation and have no factual basis. The purpose of this brief article is to state the facts and set the record straight. CDP has been demonstrated widely, in split-screen comparison, to studio executives, the creative community, and projection and audio members of SMPTE. A leading independent testing laboratory evaluated CDP picture and sound performance in July 1996.

Fact: All of the original print-negative information reaches the screen via the compact print process, and picture and sound performance meets or exceeds current SMPTE standards.

A summary of the 21-page Evaluation Report appears here below this text. Fact: All of the original print-negative information reaches the screen via the compact print process, and picture and sound performance meets or exceeds current SMPTE standards.

Fact: A compact print is 37.5 percent shorter than a current print. Its advantages and impact are obvious; they include substantially reduced costs for film stock, printing, shipping, and handling in the theatre. Also, wider release of major films becomes possible without affect-ing distribution budgets.

Fact: The compact print does not affect production or post-production, which are performed according to standard practice. At the time of release, as is customary, a standard timed interpositive is made from the completed production original. From that point forward, the compact print process is applied.

CDP is a simple three-step process:

• Step 1. Making a compact picture internegative.
• Step 2. Making a compact sound negative.
• Step 3. Making a retrofit to a standard projector.

Let's take those step by step, fact by fact:

1. A compact intenegative is made from a standard timed interpositive.

Fact: The practical limit of image resolution in original photography is, at best, 40 line pairs per millimeter (80 lines), and the new resolution limit using the new Eastman intermediate film (5244) is greater than 130 line pairs per millimeter (260 lines).

Fact: All of the original negative picture elements (pixels) are re-solved on the compact print, as confirmed by independent laboratory tests. Step 1 requires new state-of-the-art computer-designed printing lenses compatible with the new high-resolution intermediate film stock.

Fact: These are the first new computer-designed printing lenses expressly for the release print-ing process in over a decade.

Fact: No print will exhibit better quality than the quality of the original element from which it is derived.

2. A compact sound negative is made from the completed sound master.

Fact: Sound negative film stock has the capacity to resolve greater than 20 kHz, although the standard in theatre reproduction is 12.5 kHz.

Fact: Frequency response of CDP extends from 31.5 Hz to 12.5 kHz, again as confirmed by independent lab tests. The compact print demonstrates both analog and digital sound in accordance with SMPTE audio performance standards. 3. A standard projector is equipped with a new retrofit. permitting projection of current and compact prints.

Fact: Once the retrofit is made, a projection attendant can convert from one mode of operation to the other in less than 20 minutes.

Fact: With CDP, picture steadiness is improved and print life is extended due to the physical dynamics of 56 ft./min. vs. the current 90 ft./min.

COST OF IMPLEMENTATION

Although a final draft of the CDP Business Plan is pending, it appears that cost of implementation in North America will be recouped within the third quarter of the first year of majority use of the compact print process. According to the present business plan, it is not contemplated that exhibitors will be required to make any investment.

CDP AT 30 FRAMES PER SECOND

Fact: The superiority of a frame rate of 30 per second has been demonstrated for decades, yet the film industry has been reluctant to financially embrace it as a new standard

According to the present business plan, it is not contemplated that exhibitors will be required to make any investment.

 

More in 70mm reading:

Dr. Richard Vetter about ClearVision 2000

Dan Leimeter: Working at Todd-AO Sound Studios

CineSpace 70 / ClearVision 2000 by Todd-AO

 
Example of 2˝ perf CDP frames

Fact: At 30 fps, flicker is eliminated and motion, definition and brightness are substantially enhanced. It is proposed that CDP can serve as the catalyst for adopting the higher frame rate.

Fact: At 30 fps, a compact print is 22 percent shorter than a current print at 24 fps. Presentation of movies at the elevated frame rate will favorably affect boxoffice revenue and patron satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

CDP has passed all technical tests and has been awarded numerous U.S. and foreign pa-tents based on novelty and utility. CDP supports the survival of film over an electronic alternative. Although CDP has developed a new lamp condenser lens system for large auditoriums, it does not replace the need for 70mm prints in ultra-largescreen venues. Wider distribution and superior presentation coupled with improved economy are what CDP offers the film industry today.

Historically, there has always been a resistance to change. But the music industry discovered ways to progress from 78 rpm records to CDs, and magnetic tape recording has shrunk from 30 ips to 3 3/4 ips and less. Motion picture film speed has remained, unchanged, at 90 ft./min. for more than 60 years, and the four-perforation format dates to 1889! These standards have clearly outlived their usefulness. We at United Artists Theatres and Todd-AO believe it's time for a change for the common good of the film industry and its valued patrons.

Located in Pacific Palisades, Calif., Dr. Vetter is director of research and development for United Artists Theatre Circuit and Todd-AO. During his 45-year industry career, he has invented Dimension 150 (a 70mm widescreen process), Todd-AO's 35mm anamorphic widescreen process (for which the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded him a 1973 technical achievement award), and the Prismalite outdoor screen system. Dr. Vetter, who is the inventor and patent holder for CDP, has also been involved in the development of a xenon projection illumination system and various film systems like StereoSpace 3-D, CineMax 70 and CineCircle 360.
 
 

An Independent U.S. Testing Laboratory

 
Film/Image Test Current 4-perf Current 2.5 -perf
Film resolution (lines prs/mm) 68 x 56 80 x 126
Screen image (jump and weave) Meets SMPTE Std. Class A Meets SMPTE Std. Class A
Split-Screen Comparison Increased jump & weave Less jump & weave; no screen degradation
Film/Perf. life (1000 passes) No Damage No Damage
     
Audiop Tests    
Frequency response 31,5 Hz to 12,5 kHz (+/- 1dB) 31,5 Hz to 12,5 kHz (+/- 1dB)
Noise No measureable difference No measureable difference
Flutter 0,10 percent 0,09 percent
Channel separation -35 dB -36 dB
     
 

CDP Flyer

 
Flyer - press to enlarge

 
 
Flyer - press to enlarge
 
 
   
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Updated 28-07-24