Making the business case for laser projection

By now, the loyal reader of this column should be an expert in the technicalities of laser-illuminated projection: how it works, the potential benefits, and the existing barriers that need to be overcome. What we haven’t discussed yet is the commercial side of this exciting new technology. How much will it cost? And will it be worth it? Is it a privilege reserved for billionaires who own a cinema on the side, or is it commercially viable for any exhibitor? We’ll go more deeply into the financial model in this article, focusing on the comparison with existing lamp-based illumination. After all, balancing the pros and cons — including financial parameters — is what will drive the majority of laser-projector buying decisions.