Now installed in over 10,000 of the highest end home theaters world-wide, Panamorph conversion lenses work with internal modes of today's most popular home theater projectors to activate millions of unused black bar pixels - filling cinema-format projection screens with up to 30% higher brightness and detail and even expanding the image (with our new STE lenses) beyond the projector's maximum for the biggest, best big-screen experience possible when watching movies, streaming, sports and gaming. All lens models are $5,995 USD MSRP other than DCR+XM2 and CDR+XM2 which are $8,995 USD MSRP. Lenses are available through projector-manufacturer-authorized local resellers of compatible projectors.
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), 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, 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 Sony 4K models such as VPL-295/695/715/885/915/995/1015.
BACKGROUND ARTICLES. Learn about how anamorphic projection increases the performance of today's high end projectors starting (read more here). Additional links in the first article cover other topics such as the origin of black bars and comparing anamorphic projection to the zoom method.
GEOMETRIC DISTORTION. Residual geometric distortion shown in the Lens Selector Image Geometry estimator (for a flat screen) is a result of prioritizing maximum image quality in the anamorphic lens design. 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 replaced by 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. A 2.25:1 screen for a multimedia blend of content is only selectable in the Lens Selector for Sony 16:9 projectors and is currently available from Stewart Filmscreen and Seymour Screen Excellence (coming soon from Screen Innovations). Borders should ideally be a minimum of 3.5” (88mm) to mask edge distortion and content aspect ratio variations.
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.
Projector Model
Screen
Recommended Lens Model
Projector: Image:
Throw Distance
Screen Diagonal Screen Width Screen Height
Image Geometry
Projection Throw Ratio
Screen size is out of range
snapshot does not show slider controls
The following viewing modes and projector settings are typical for most content to best fill an ultrawide screen when using the projector model selected in the Lens Selector. Other modes may be available with each projector. Treat content as having a lower aspect ratio if optional language subtitles are desired.
JVC and Sony Projectors with a DCR or STE lens and a 2.4:1 Cinema Format Screen
A 2.4:1 screen is recommended when the content includes primarily theatrical release movies rather than made-for-streaming and TV content.
2.4:1 Movies and Streaming
Sony: Set "Anamorphic Lens" to 1.24x and "Aspect" to V-Stretch.
JVC: Set "Anamorphic Lens" to Anamorphic C.
2.0:1 Streaming
Sony: Set "Anamorphic Lens" to 1.24x and "Aspect" to V-Stretch.
JVC: Set "Anamorphic Lens" to Anamorphic C.
Note: 8% of content is cropped at the top and bottom.
Smaller Content, 16:9 TV and Gaming
Sony: Set "Anamorphic Lens" to 1.24x and "Aspect" to Normal. 16:9 projectors must be zoomed down to see full height then zoomed back up for other modes.
JVC: Set "Anamorphic Lens" to Off.
Note: Content appears 25% horizontally stretched. Optional: Set Sony "Aspect" to Squeeze or JVC "Anamorphic Lens" to Anamorphic D to increase black sidebars and to remove the stretched appearance.
Sony 16:9 Projectors with a DCR or STE lens and a 2.25:1 Multimedia Format Screen
A 2.25:1 screen is recommended when the content includes a blend of movies, streaming, TV and gaming content.
2.4:1 Movies and Streaming
Sony: Set "Anamorphic Lens" to 1.32x and "Aspect" to V-Stretch.
Note: Content appears 6.7% vertically stretched.
2.0:1 Streaming
Sony: Set "Anamorphic Lens" to 1.24x and "Aspect" to V-Stretch.
Note: 5% of content is cropped at the top and bottom.
Smaller Content, 16:9 TV and Gaming
Sony: Set "Anamorphic Lens" to 1.24x and "Aspect" to Normal. No zoom adjustment required.
Note: Content appears 25% horizontally stretched. Optional: Set Sony "Aspect" to Squeeze to add black sidebars and remove the stretched appearance.
The following viewing modes and projector settings are typical for most content to best fill a cinema-format screen when using the projector model selected in the Lens Selector. Other modes may be available with each projector. Treat content as having a lower aspect ratio if optional language subtitles are desired.
Digital Projection, Epson and Benq Projectors with a CDR lens and a 2.4:1 Cinema Format Screen
2.4:1 Movies and Streaming
Digital Projection: Set "Aspect" to TheaterScope.
Epson: Set "Aspect" to Anamorphic Wide.
Benq: Set "Aspect" to Anamorphic 2.4:1.
2.0:1 Streaming
Digital Projection: Set "Aspect" to TheaterScope.
Epson: Set "Aspect" to Anamorphic Wide.
Benq: Set "Aspect" to Anamorphic 2.4:1.
Note: 8% of content is cropped at the top and bottom.
Smaller Content, 16:9 TV and Gaming
Digital Projection: Set "Aspect" to Normal (or 4:3 Narrow to remove the 33% horizontal stretch by adding wide sidebars)
Epson: Set "Aspect" to Auto (or Horizontal Squeeze to remove the 33% horizontal stretch by adding wide sidebars).
Benq: Set "Aspect" to 16:9 (or Anamorphic 16:9 to remove the 33% horizontal stretch by adding wide sidebars).
