Ideal-Lume

[Vancouver]

anyone ever heard of an Ideal_Lume plasma light? Apparently it provides ambient lighting around the screen thereby increasing the effect of black levels.

snake oil?

 

[MDS]

Not snake oil.

The idea is that you want a light source that is very nearly 6500K in color temperature behind the screen. Having that ambient light reduces eye-strain because your eyes don't have to rapidly refocus when the image on the screen suddenly becomes very bright and the room lighting is still pitch black.

The Ideal Lume lights meet the 6500K color temp spec and some of the packages on their site also include various filters you can use to get the light 'right' for your particular environment.

The alternative to Ideal Lume would be to just buy your own light that is about 6500K, but IdealLume takes the guess work out by guaranteeing that is the correct color temperature.

 

[Vancouver]

cheap upgrade...may look into it. What type of retail stores would normally sell them?

 

[Leprkon]

cheap upgrade...may look into it. What type of retail stores would normally sell them?

you can use pretty much any fluorescent fixture, you just need to get a daylight-balanced bulb. Many buildings are starting to use this type of bulb to relieve the "dungeon" look. I know you can get them from the Grainger website. The bulbs are less than $ 6 a piece.

 

[Vancouver]

Is this something that everyone is doing? if not why?

 

[Britney meyers]

My new set is very bright especially when viewing in a darkened room maybe this will help.

I checked out their website and it looks like I can come up with something.
http://www.cinemaquestinc.com/ideal_lume.htm

Hummmmm

 

[Alan Brown]

Is this something that everyone is doing? if not why?

Not everyone uses this technique. I have first hand knowledge that some of those who do include: the Imaging Science Foundation; the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Industrial Light and Magic; Joe Kane Productions; THX, Ltd.; Universal Studios; CNET Labs; DisplayMate Technologies; Microsoft Corp.; Zombie Studios; Image Entertainment; Golden Era Productions; Electronic Arts; Runco, International; CinRam International; Efilm Digital Labs; Widescreen Review; Home Theater Magazine; HiFi Video Test Magazine; etc.

Why does everyone not do this? Mostly ignorance. The viewing environment and the viewer are two vital components in every video display system that are seldom sufficiently understood. This is true as much in the professional ranks as among consumers. The educational efforts of Joe Kane Productions and the Imaging Science Foundation have only made limited headway in the motion imaging industries.

Human perceptual characteristics, as they relate to electronic imaging, are not readily understood by many. However, image perception and viewing comfort are just as valid a part of a system's performance as any of the more familiar hardware specifications. Viewing conditions can enhance or diminish the performance of any video display system.

The simple fact is, no video display can produce it's best image in anything other than a darkened viewing environment. Ambient light reflects off of even the best anti-glare TV screens. Light actually enters and travels throughout screen composition materials. Room lighting, insufficiently shaded windows and reflective surfaces in the room contaminate the picture being produced.

Darkening the viewing environment for most free-standing TVs will result in eyestrain. This is due to the overly bright displays in common use. Manufacturers know that the masses expect a reasonably watchable picture from their TV in a fully lit room. They build TVs to overcome high ambient lighting levels. The result is distorted pictures and very bright screens. Dark room viewing allows for better image reproduction but usually necessitates bias lighting to prevent viewing fatigue and eyestrain. The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) both specify that any ambient lighting used in critical video viewing environments be as close to CIE D65 as possible. They also recommend other viewing environment conditions but this post is getting too long as it is.

Best regards and beautiful pictures,
Alan Brown, President
CinemaQuest, Inc.

"Advancing the art and science of electronic imaging"

 

[hv9200]

I have one of these on the back of my Sony SXRD, Was recommended after ISF calibration was completed. Hard to watch the TV without it now...I recommend one highly

 

[mtrycrafts]

The alternative to Ideal Lume would be to just buy your own light that is about 6500K, but IdealLume takes the guess work out by guaranteeing that is the correct color temperature.

And, I believe the right wattage. You don't want a 50 watter back there.

 

[mtrycrafts]

anyone ever heard of an Ideal_Lume plasma light? Apparently it provides ambient lighting around the screen thereby increasing the effect of black levels.

snake oil?

As MDS mentioned, it is not. If you have the Digital Video Essential set up DVD, that would discuss this issue and the wattage needed, and room color, if possible. I may start using it when there is enough light on the screen first Movie theaters have lights on as well.

 

[Alan Brown]

mtrycrafts,

And, I believe the right wattage. You don't want a 50 watter back there.

This is a common misconception. Wattage has nothing to do with lumen output (brightness). Wattage is simply power consumption. More efficient lighting technologies can produce more lumens with less power and less energy wasted as heat.

Movie theaters have lights on as well.

Only for safety. Ideally, front projection should have absolutely no light in the room, and dark colored, non-reflective room surfaces.

Best regards and beautiful pictures,
Alan Brown, President
CinemaQuest, Inc.

"Advancing the art and science of electronic imaging"

 

[mtrycrafts]

mtrycrafts,
This is a common misconception. Wattage has nothing to do with lumen output (brightness). Wattage is simply power consumption. More efficient lighting technologies can produce more lumens with less power and less energy wasted as heat.
Only for safety. Ideally, front projection should have absolutely no light in the room, and dark colored, non-reflective room surfaces.

Best regards and beautiful pictures,
Alan Brown, President
CinemaQuest, Inc.

"Advancing the art and science of electronic imaging"

Thanks, Yes, power has not much relationship to lumens especially as you have different means of producing lumens.
I suppose the Video Essentials DVD is talking only about TV viewing needing backlighting then?

 

[David Gaudreau]

So wait i'm confused,,,,,,,Do i need to install lights around the back side of my projector screen?

 

[mtrycrafts]

So wait i'm confused,,,,,,,Do i need to install lights around the back side of my projector screen?

Now I am confused as well. The Video essential was produced by professionals but they did calibrate a direct view TV. Now, I am not sure about a front projection.
Perhaps a call to the ISF company would clear this up?
http://www.imagingscience.com/isf-trained.cfm

 

[Audioholics]

You do NOT need bias lighting for a front projection system. Bias lighting is only recommended for direct view displays to reduce eye strain. As the screen is smaller and your eyes are focusing on a much smaller area against a black background the bias light levels out sharp changes in contrast and reduces eye strain.

 

[David Gaudreau]

Got it............No need to have my front projector screen backlite.