Frequently Asked Questions

LENS MODELS. Today’s high end projectors include advanced image processing modes to show wide screen content with much higher performance by electronically stretching the content vertically over millions of more pixels. Anamorphic add-on lenses then remove this vertically stretched appearance by optically compressing the vertical dimension (DCR and CDR models) or by optically expanding the horizontal dimension (STE models), or a combination of both (Alpha), thereby restoring the original shape while preserving the additional performance. STE (Short Throw Expansion) lens models offer the additional advantage of enlarging this enhanced image beyond the capability of the projector itself – supporting larger images in theaters with smaller throw distances from projector to screen. However, due to how anamorphic lenses work with projector zoom lenses, Alpha, DCR and CDR models result in the highest overall brightness and should be used whenever possible. Note that full size lenses perform identically to their smaller direct attach models. If two lens models are recommended then the larger lens is sometimes chosen for potentially greater compatibility with future projectors, although this is not guaranteed. Contact Panamorph for lens models compatible with older projector models.

GEOMETRIC DISTORTION. Residual geometric distortion shown in the Lens Selector Image Geometry estimator (for a flat screen) is associated with all lens models other than the distortion-free Alpha. This distortion will decrease with longer throw distances and smaller screens. Zooming the image up to mask off edge distortion will significantly reduce its visibility. 

SCREENS. The 2.35:1 cinema format was officially replaced by the Society for Motion Picture and Television Engineers standards committee with the 2.4:1 cinema format in 1972. Some additional screen border masking may be needed to fully fit 2.4:1 content onto a 2.35:1 screen.  Borders should ideally be a minimum of 3.5” (88mm) to mask edge distortion and content aspect ratio variations.

WATCHING SMALLER FORMAT IN A 2.4:1 CINEMA FORMAT THEATER. Today’s content almost always naturally fills the width of the projector screen. It is the height of the image on the screen that varies with different aspect ratios. When content having a native aspect ratio smaller than 2.4:1 is shown on the 2.4:1 screen in anamorphic mode all the content will appear correctly but the top and bottom will be cropped off to some extent. The lower the native aspect ratio, the more cropping is applied. This is why all anamorphic-capable projectors have an additional mode to show 16:9 content through an anamorphic lens without cropping, either in the native 16:9 format or stretched out horizontally to fill or partially fill a 2.4:1 screen. Variable aspect ratio movies such as from Christopher Nolan and Christopher McQuarrie typically include both 2.4:1 “scope” content and taller content to support IMAX theaters. Shown with an anamorphic lens, these movies will always fill the full height of the 2.4:1 screen by cropping off the taller IMAX format segments. 

SUBTITLES. Captions and subtitles are often placed at the bottom of wide screen content and therefore may be cut off on a 2.4:1 screen. Many Blu-ray players offer the ability for subtitles in Blu-ray content to be shifted as desired so they become visible. However, streaming services typically force subtitles to a location without the ability to reposition. In this case content should be treated as 16:9 so that the subtitles below and above the image can appear.

PROJECTOR ORIENTATION. The projector should be ideally mounted horizontally +/- 3” from screen center and at a height equal to or slightly above the top of the screen image for best geometry (for more details see the lens model manual).

OLDER LENS PRODUCTS. Older UH480 and DC1 lens models (ie prior to 2015) are not recommended for today’s true 4K (and higher) projectors. Panamorph does not manufacture supporting hardware or service components for these older lens models and transports.