Development of Next-Generation RGB Laser Projectors

「Profitability improved and profit increased in the imaging equipment business as component prices normalized and procurement costs improved following the easing of the impact of the component cost surge in the previous fiscal year, while the sales mix shifted toward a higher proportion of high-end models for general imaging applications.」

「In the cinema field, RGB laser projectors were launched in the previous fiscal year and sales expanded as demand increased across the market for projectors equipped with solid-state light sources. However, from 2020 onward, cinema closures worldwide caused by COVID-19 became widespread and prolonged, reducing and restraining investment appetite because of deteriorating operating conditions at cinema chains and an uncertain outlook. As a result, sales of digital cinema projectors declined significantly, resulting in lower revenue year on year.」

「In the cinema sector, sales of RGB laser projectors, which had been fully launched in the market from the previous fiscal year, were growing as demand increased for projectors equipped with solid-state light sources (LDs and LEDs). However, in 2020, prolonged cinema closures worldwide due to COVID-19 reduced and restrained investment appetite amid worsening operating conditions and increased uncertainty among cinema chains, resulting in a sharp decline in digital cinema projector sales and lower revenue year on year.」

「Although sales were delayed and equipment rentals for events were canceled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, sales of RGB laser projectors and exposure equipment expanded, and sales of EUV light sources for EUV lithography mask inspection also increased, resulting in higher revenue for the equipment business overall.」

「In the cinema field, sales of RGB laser projectors expanded as demand grew for projectors equipped with high-brightness solid-state light sources, despite a downward trend in the annual number of new cinema screens. In the general imaging field, sales of RGB laser projectors expanded as demand for high-brightness imaging equipment increased in entertainment applications, including amusement parks and various events.」

「In the cinema field, sales of RGB laser projectors expanded as demand increased for projectors equipped with solid-state light sources, despite a downward trend in the number of new cinema screens opened annually, particularly in China. Sales also expanded in the general imaging field as demand increased for high-brightness imaging equipment in entertainment applications, including amusement parks and various events.」

「In the general imaging field, revenue increased as sales of high-value-added RGB laser projectors equipped with solid-state light sources expanded in entertainment applications, including amusement parks and events. In the cinema field, although sales of high-value-added RGB laser projectors meeting market needs were trending upward, the number of new cinema screens declined year on year, reducing unit sales of digital cinema projectors and resulting in lower revenue.」

「As sales of RGB laser projectors fell significantly below plan due to failure to meet required specifications in some markets, the profitability of the imaging equipment business was improving, but the extent of improvement was below plan.」

「Although the product mix has been improving since sales began of new projectors equipped with high-value-added RGB lasers designed to meet market needs, unit sales remained below plan.」

「The product mix improved and profitability increased following the launch of sales of new projectors equipped with high-value-added RGB lasers that meet market needs.」

「Meanwhile, sales of new projectors equipped with high-value-added RGB lasers, in response to market demand for solid-state light sources, began and expanded in China and other regions, resulting in flat sales.」

「CHRISTIE DIGITAL SYSTEMS CANADA INC., a subsidiary, developed compact, high-efficiency laser projectors for cinemas using “pure lasers” that create white light from red, green, and blue lasers.」

「CHRISTIE DIGITAL SYSTEMS CANADA INC., a subsidiary, is developing next-generation projectors for the cinema market that use high-brightness, high-image-quality RGB lasers expected to gain wider adoption. The use of advanced lasers, including high-power red laser devices (MDP) and directly emitting green lasers, being adopted for projection for the first time, has simplified and reduced the size of the projector structure and achieved a substantial reduction in manufacturing costs. The beam characteristics of RGB lasers have also enabled a maximum contrast ratio of 5000:1, higher than that of conventional lamp-based projectors.」