When the decision was made – more than a decade ago – to convert all the movie theatres in to world to digital technology it unleashed a spirit of innovation that shows no signs of stopping. Certainly, challenges remain, but the savviest exhibitors have learned to embrace new ideas as the best way to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive business. One of the technology leaders in all of this has been Dolby Laboratories.
Christie is currently featuring its proprietary RealLaser technology at the Beijing International Radio, TV & Film Exhibition, taking place at the China International Exhibition Center, now through August 25.
Dolby and the Wanying Cinema Line Company Limited have announced a partnership to extend the Dolby Cinema experience to more moviegoers in China. The exhibitor, which is wholly owned by China Resources Land Limited, operates movie theatres across China with the brand MixCine. The first location under the agreement is expected to be open at Wanying’s flagship site in Shenzhen with more locations to come in Southeast China in the following two years.
Cinemark Theatres is the first exhibitor in Taiwan to deploy Christie’s CP4325-RGB pure laser cinema projector. The projector, which features Christie’s proprietary RealLaser technology, was installed in the flagship Cine X auditorium of Cinemark Theatres Dream Mall, equipped with a 19-meter screen and a capacity of over 350 seats. Dacoms Technology had the installation and will oversee maintenance.
Christie is showcasing its full range of digital cinema technology at the 2018 Australian International Movie Convention July 29 to August 2 at Event Cinemas Pacific Fair, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
[Editor’s Note: In a new white paper, Barco senior product manager Tom Bert makes a strong case for the importance of contrast ratio in cinema.] In any visualization system, the contrast ratio is one of the key parameters that define image quality. A metric for comparing the brightest whites to the darkest blacks in the image, you could say that a good contrast ratio truly adds depth to the image. A low contrast ratio makes an image look washed out. Details as well as the artistic intent get lost. This is true for direct view displays as well as for projectors.
South Africa’s Nu Metro Cinemas is opening Xtreme theatres at Nu Metro Emperors Palace in Johannesburg and Nu Metro Galleria on the KZN South Coast.
Christie is marking a decade of collaboration with the Shanghai International Film Festival as the event’s exclusive cinema projection partner. “This is the tenth consecutive year that Christie has partnered with the SIFF, which is one of the largest and most prestigious film festivals in Asia, by serving as its exclusive cinema projection partner,” said Lin Yu, vice president, cinema sales for Asia, Christie. “It is an honor for us be associated with the SIFF, supplying our cinema projectors for screening feature films from around the world that are distinguished by their artistic excellence. It is a perfect combination of ‘art and technology’, and we are fully committed to delivering the best possible image on screen that allows all audiences to enjoy an immersive and highly satisfying cinema experience.”
Cinionic, the Barco cinema joint venture, will be the exclusive laser projection provider for Kinepolis. The replacement of hundreds of existing and new screens with Barco laser projectors will take place over the next three years across Western Europe and Canada.
The Laser Illuminated Projector Association reports that as of the end of 2017, the global installed base of high-end RGB laser projectors had reached nearly 700, an increase of nearly 100 percent since 2016, according to industry analysts at IHS Markit. In addition, the analyst firm also reported that, according to industry sales figures estimates, the number of laser phosphor projectors installed in cinemas has now surpassed 10,000; again an approximately 100 percent growth rate over the previous year.
