Power Technology Installing Laser Projection System at Robinson Theater

PTI hopes to break into the movies with its Illumina laser projection system.

Power Technology Inc., a laser manufacturer based in Alexander, will install its Illumina cinema laser projection system at the Central Arkansas Library System’s Ron Robinson Theater on Dec. 1.

The theater will be the first in Arkansas to use a laser light engine for cinema projection and one of just a few cinemas in the world powered by laser light. 

The theater, located near the Main Library in Little Rock’s River Market District, will begin using the Illumina system as its light source for all movies and exhibitions. PTI began marketing the system last fall after “stumbling upon” the technology while finishing up a $1.5 million project for the U.S. Department of Defense in 2012, according to Walter Burgess, PTI’s vice president of engineering.

In March, the company hosted a private demonstration of the system for industry representatives at the theater and in April marketed the system at 2015 CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

Traditional cinema projectors use xenon bulbs for illumination and laser light sources are considered the next step. Laser projection systems such as Illumina provide more brightness and color depth, and use multiple lasers that produce full-time color — red, green, blue and even white when combined. Its architecture combines red, green and blue lasers into one beam.

“Our newest product is a light source for laser illuminated projection,” said William Burgess, PTI’s vice president of operations. “It will thrill movie audiences by producing a brighter image with more vivid colors than they experience today. Theater owners get a lower cost of operation and no more bulbs to change.”

PTI plans several events around the aftermath of the installation including ribbon cuttings, public exhibitions and industry events.