Crystal-Glide, precision wide-screen lens transport

(July 2008) The Crystal-Glide Super-Wide-Screen Lens Transport is a professional grade, external, lens mounting and transport system for home theater video projectors. When paired with the proper lens and an external video processor, or used with a projector that incorporates the required vertical stretch function, it allows the projector to display super-wide-screen (2.35:1 format) films, at maximum resolution, using every pixel of their native 16x9 (1.78:1 format) chips.

The resultant image can then be projected onto a 2.35:1 aspect ratio screen so that you can watch super-wide-screen movies as they were meant to be seen in a movie theater, filling the screen and without annoying black bars above and below the image.

To achieve the maximum resolution of a 2.35:1, super wide-screen movie with a conventional 1.78:1 format HD projector, the image must first be electronically stretched vertically, by about 32%. It must then be stretched out horizontally by the same amount, to bring it back to its proper perspective, using an external, anamorphic lens, placed in front of the projector’s own lens. If that external lens is simply left in place, HDTV (1.78:1 format) and SD (1.33:1 format) images will have to be electronically squeezed to use fewer pixels than normal, and thus lose resolution.

To maintain the maximum possible resolution for all image formats, the external lens must be precisely placed in front of the projector’s lens when watching 2.35:1 formatted films, and moved out of the light path when watching anything else. This is what the Crystal-Glide transport does perfectly; and it is also unmatched in its ease of installation and use. We listened to custom installers who were looking for just such a transport.

Each Crystal-Glide attaches directly and neatly to the particular projector’s mounting holes. Our engineers design each transport mounting plate to match accurately to any manufacturers HD projector.

In addition, a standard Chief ceiling mount can bolt directly to the Crystal-Glide mounting plate, allowing easy installation and access for lamp changes.

We even made sure to consider the balance point of the total installation. A Crystal-Glide gives you full control of pitch, roll, skew, and yaw. It will accept all the major lenses made for this purpose, including the Isco III. You can control it with a contact closure, a 12 Volt trigger, or RS-232 command. It has smart electro-mechanical stop settings for 100% repeatability. And, lastly, the Crystal-Glide is powder coated with a light-absorbing crinkled black finish, so it is non-reflective to light coming back from the screen, which helps maintain the best possible video image.

With the Crystal-Glide transport supporting any quality anamorphic lens attached to your home theater projector you will transform your home theater to a true home cinema!