Dwight Cavendish/LCI laser video projectors.

[Yag]

Interesting discussion at work today about these with people who worked with them in the 1980s. Quick google around I have found some information (twin 15W Argon, Red produced from dye) but if anybody has any further information or pictures that would be brilliant to help the reminiscing!

Many thanks

[Laserhobbit]

Hi,

I worked a little with these in the late 80's or early 90's. I think the main company having them in the Uk was Samulsons in London. It was around the time they were supplying Varilites and other high end lighting. I think the system was based around the Argons and Dyes, but also a gold vapour laser. I have tried to upload a copy of the patent and will look to see if I have a copy of the original sales litature still. Great times



Cheers

Steve

[Yag]

Hi,

I worked a little with these in the late 80's or early 90's. I think the main company having them in the Uk was Samulsons in London. It was around the time they were supplying Varilites and other high end lighting. I think the system was based around the Argons and Dyes, but also a gold vapour laser. I have tried to upload a copy of the patent and will look to see if I have a copy of the original sales litature still. Great times

Cheers

Steve

That's brilliant, thanks for that. Yes, the units we were discussing were owned by Samuelson Communications, I believe they were sold to LCI after the large format Light Valve projectors emerged (GE Talaria etc.), Samuelsons holding group included Concert Production Lighting/Theatre Projects (Now PRG) who held the Varilite franchise in the UK.

Any further information would be greatfully received! Purely historic interest, but ever since I read how the Eidophor projectors worked:-

http://www.cinephoto.co.uk/eidophor.htm

I was always interested in how these early laser units worked!

Thanks again!

[Laserhobbit]

Hi,

I worked on the Eidophors a little also, particularly one at Imperial College in London. They were really weird, particularly the way they "ate" carbon electrodes and the welding safety gear you had to wear to service them!

Cheers

Steve

[Laserhobbit]

Hi,

I thought the enclosed other laser TV patent might be of interest, from a similar period in time as the Dwight Cavendish projectors.


Cheers

Steve

[Yag]

Thanks that's brilliant! When someone first described an Eidophor to me, I thought they were making it up!

[Photonbeam]

We did laser beam effects on some shows that used laser video projectors in the '80's. One corporate show had the laser video projecting on a large balloon floating through the hotel ballroom over the audience. It worked great, being able to track the balloon and project on a sphere, since the laser was in focus at any distance. The laser video guys had to comply with all the laser regulations just like me - and we had to share the water and drains.

[Yag]

Yeah, the guys I was talking to was saying that it didn't need focusing! It has to be said that was the only good thing that was said about them, though as the alternative was the Eidophor, video projection was used to impracticalities at that time!