HDR, Sound Innovations Fuel New Exhibition Tech at CinemaCon

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At this week’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of Cinema United, urged exhibitors and distributors to join forces to revolutionize the cinema industry. He emphasized that the world has changed significantly from what it was yesterday, and if we aim to seize our future possibilities, we must not just adapt but transform.

Part of what he emphasized in his speech was the need for exhibitors to keep investing. He stressed that it’s crucial to invest not only in technical aspects like projection, sound, and lighting, but also in concessions, food, and beverage, as well as lobby and parking areas. Each component plays a significant role in enhancing the moviegoing experience.

Emphasizing that particular aspect of his message, CinemaCon’s exhibition area was abuzz this week with fresh advancements in projection and audio technology. These innovations are steering towards High Dynamic Range (HDR) visuals, offering a broader spectrum of colors from the most intense whites to the darkest blacks.

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Highlighting that key point in his message, the buzz at CinemaCon’s exhibition space this week came from new developments in projection and sound technology. These advancements are focusing on High Dynamic Range (HDR) imagery, expanding the range of colors from the brightest whites to the deepest blacks.

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The CinemaCon exhibition space was filled with excitement this week due to fresh updates in projection and audio technology. These improvements are geared towards High Dynamic Range (HDR) visuals, delivering a wider array of colors from the most brilliant whites to the darkest blacks.

Barco unveiled approximately a dozen films set to launch in 2025 that will be compatible with their High Dynamic Range (HDR) projectors. Some of the titles include “How to Train Your Dragon” from Universal Pictures and “Karate Kid: Legends,” produced by Sony.

At B&B Theatres Red Oak 12, which opened in 2024 and won the International Cinema Technology Association’s best new build award at CinemaCon, you can find HDR by Barco as one of its offerings. This state-of-the-art cinema was designed with the idea that theater owners should aim to be more than just movie showers; they should strive to become entertainment hubs. The B&B Theater offers a range of amenities, including a restaurant, bar, pickleball courts, bowling lanes, event spaces, and various theater experiences such as 4DX with moving seats and immersive 4D effects like wind, ScreenX for a 270-degree multi-screen viewing experience, and HDR by Barco.

B&B served as one of Barco’s trial locations for their pre-release demonstration project. Speaking with EbMaster, CEO Bob Bagby praised the images as “stunning” and stated that, much like any new technology, it is currently quite costly. However, he expressed his belief that it will become the industry standard in time. To achieve this, more cinemas need to adopt it, and as sales increase, so too will the price decrease.

At CinemaCon, Christie and Dolby introduced a new Dolby Vision HDR-compatible projector. According to Dolby, these new projectors will be accessible to all Dolby Cinema and all partners using Dolby Vision + Dolby Atmos, worldwide. Pascal Sijen from Dolby proposed that this projector would make it significantly more efficient and user-friendly to implement.

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During CinemaCon, Christie and Dolby showcased a new projector compatible with Dolby Vision HDR. Per Dolby, these new projectors will be offered to all Dolby Cinema and Dolby Vision + Dolby Atmos partners across the globe. Pascal Sijen of Dolby posited that this projector would make it much easier and more efficient to adopt.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that Christie has joined the High Dynamic Range (HDR) race by debuting its Variable Dynamic Range (VDR) technology. This innovative upgrade is designed with energy efficiency in mind and aims to lower the overall cost of ownership, all while paving the way for high dynamic range experiences.

The new update for Christie VDR software offers two modes: a basic one, scheduled to launch by year’s end, and a high dynamic range (HDR)-enhanced performance mode specifically designed for the Christie CineLife+ series of Real|Laser projectors. Notably, the performance mode upgrade increases brightness to 300 nits, ensuring compliance with DCI standards for HDR output.

As per Christie, the chosen mode for presentation will showcase the high dynamic range (HDR) variant of a film designed to be viewed on advanced displays like Samsung’s Onyx Cinema LED screen.

As a tech enthusiast, I’m thrilled about Samsung unveiling the latest iteration of their Onyx screen lineup. This new model boasts a robust 300-nit HDR capability, available in four sizes that cater to various settings. From a 16-foot screen suitable for boutique auditoriums to an impressive 66-foot screen designed for large-format premium cinemas, this innovation truly expands the horizons of high-definition viewing experiences.

This autumn, LVL 11 Entertainment’s Cannon Beach location in Mesa, Arizona, will be the first U.S. theater to debut this latest version of Onyx technology. In addition, LVL 11 Entertainment is constructing a larger cinema complex that will offer go-kart racing, bowling, arcade games, and karaoke facilities.

So far, one major issue with LED cinema displays has been replicating sound effectively, as in conventional cinemas, speakers are positioned behind the screen, which isn’t feasible with LED panels. However, modern installations typically position speakers above, below, or to the sides of LED screens instead. This year, cinema technology innovator GDC introduced a DCI-certified solution at CinemaCon, collaborating with tech company Tricorne on its development.

The Tricorne LED screen showcased its distinctive perforated design, featuring holes that enable speakers to be positioned behind the display screen. This panel incorporates hollow spaces within it, enabling sound configurations identical to those seen in traditional projection theaters, according to a GDC representative.

Furthermore, during CinemaCon, Meyer Sound unveiled their latest Astrya cinema speakers at the Beverly Theater in Las Vegas. This was the initial commercial setup, coming after a year-long trial period that incorporated several prominent Hollywood sound experts.

During the presentation, testimonials from sound editors and mixers who had worked in an Astrya setting during that period were brought forward. Five-time Oscar winner Richard King (“Dune: Part 2”) described the new speakers as a “significant advancement,” while Academy Award winner Lora Hirschberg (“Inception”) praised the technology’s “breadth and clarity.” Among the projects mixed in Astrya during the trial phase were “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Captain America: Brave New World”.

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During the presentation, sound editors and mixers who had worked in an Astrya environment at that time gave testimonials. Richard King, a five-time Oscar winner for “Dune: Part 2,” labeled the new loudspeakers as a “huge step forward.” Lora Hirschberg, an Academy Award winner for “Inception,” commended the technology’s “comprehensive coverage and clarity.” Some of the productions mixed in Astrya during the initial phase included “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Captain America: Brave New World”.

The loudspeakers are now available, and the first few installations include Warner Bros. Sound.

Mark Mayfield, director of cinema marketing for Meyer Sound, shared that the aim is to preserve and amplify the sound as it was originally mixed, in line with the filmmakers’ creative vision. “Our goal is simply to increase the volume without introducing distortion or delays,” he explained. Top-quality audio can help attract more audience members, he emphasized to exhibitors at the event.

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2025-04-03 20:17