Harkness Screens has revealed plans to transition from its existing standard perforation pattern to a new pattern for their leading screen surfaces.
The new Harkness Digital Perforation Pattern will become the standard perforation pattern for all screen types replacing the existing standard pattern. The new pattern has an open area of over four percent with over 65,000 holes per square metre. This helps to significantly increase light reflectance into cinema auditoriums compared to Harkness’ previous standard perforation pattern and provides a brighter and better quality viewing experience. The smaller holes also allow for a closer viewing experience with less visible seams, while the increased quantity of perforations provides better sound attenuation.
“Harkness’ Digital Perforation Pattern has been specifically designed to reduce the onset of the Moiré effect,” said David Harrison, chief technical officer at Harkness Screens. “Moiré fringing is caused when the weave pattern of a screen aligns and then interferes with the projector’s pixelated images resulting in an undesired, strobe-like effect across the screen, which can have a huge impact on cinematic experience. With the resolution of projectors growing, it is a common issue in contemporary digital imaging and the new perforation pattern helps to offset this.”
Some screen perforations can accentuate Moiré, this is due to hole sizing and spacing compared to projection pixels. The Harkness Digital Perforation Pattern works in harmony with current 4K projectors and the natural hole variations work to reduce alignment with projection pixels, providing a flawless, high definition image.
As part of the switch to Harkness’ new perforation pattern, Harkness has increased the width of its industry leading base materials, reducing the number of seams required to make a screen significantly.
“As well as all of the visual benefits, the new perforation pattern has led to one significant improvement in our manufacturing process. Whilst we pride ourselves on invisible seams under projected light, we recognize that for exhibitors in general and especially post-production and screening room operators, the desire to have a screen made of the fewest seams possible is significant. With our new perforation process, we’re able to reduce the number of panels required to make a screen significantly meaning a reduction in seams of at least 30 percent,” Harrison said.
The new Harkness 4K Digital Perforation Pattern is available from Harkness US factory and will be extended to its Asian operations in early 2016, with European operations following shortly after.
Harkness Screens www.harkness-screens.com