Laser Shows can severely damage projectors and cameras (in-depth analysis)

DAMAGE TO PEOPLE AND PROPERTY AT LASER SHOWS: HOW TO AVOID IT?

In the previous in-depth analysis, we reviewed the nature of the damage that a laser show can cause to video equipment; damage and impairment to the sensors of cameras, photographic cameras, and projectors during events are very frequent – and also very expensive – even for switched-off products.

How to avoid them?

We discussed this with professionals who are often involved in installations and shows where video and lasers coexist. Alberto Kellner Ongaro from Laser Entertainment found himself – as he told us – dealing with these occurrences, and he can share his on-field experience.

RELY ON QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

To ensure correct installation and avoid improper use of laser systems, it is always necessary to rely on competent and qualified personnel.
“It's a golden rule – Alberto told us – to strongly reiterate, especially in an era where it's possible to easily purchase powerful laser projection systems online, without requiring any specific expertise.”
Professional installation must indeed follow the CEI EN 60825-1 standard on the safety of laser equipment.

WHICH COMPONENTS ARE MOST AT RISK?

If a laser were to hit the optics of a video camera or a photographic camera, the component most at risk would be the sensor, whether it is a CMOS or a CCD; for older devices, even a cathode ray tube could suffer severe damage if hit by a laser.
Among video projectors, the most sensitive components are the microspecchi of DLP. The extent of the damage depends on the intensity of the laser and the type of lens mounted on the recording or video projection equipment.

PROFESSIONAL DIALOGUE

Among the first precautions to take is to establish constant dialogue between the professionals working on the same show, especially if they belong to different staffs. Communication between teams during setup is fundamental, especially considering that video recording or projection tools can be damaged if hit by a laser even when switched off.
“Knowing in detail where and how they are arranged, advising staff to cover video projectors during laser pointer alignment, checking that cameras and photographic cameras are not already damaged even before the laser show: precautions that can avoid unpleasant surprises at the end of the evening,” Alberto tells us.

PASSIVE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

During installation, it is possible to set up protection devices that prevent laser beams from pointing directly towards cameras, video projectors, or, even worse, towards the audience's eyes. Passive protection systems can be considered those devices that physically obstruct the laser beam and ensure that it does not go towards the areas of electronic systems or towards the audience's eyes, such as metal panels, or other opaque non-flammable material, adequately positioned around the laser projector.

ELECTRONIC MASKS

There are also programmable software capable of calibrating the intensity of the light beam according to its direction and height, automatically creating shadow zones: the laser system, once programmed, will not send beams into preset zones thanks to an electronic masking system. The operator can decide, for example, in a scenario with a large audience, to prevent laser beams from descending below three meters in height, to avoid harm to people present, or to set masking zones where video projectors are located. It goes without saying that, with each movement of the laser projector, video projector, or video camera, the electronic masking system must be re-verified and reset.

Images courtesy of Laser Entertainment