THE FUTURE
Projection Large Format
LED’s
In ___________ Samsung debuted its first-ever LED cinema screen in the U.S. at Pacific Theaters Winnetka in Chatsworth, Calif., pitching the new technology as a money saver for exhibitors that offers greatly improved color quality. The new screen, which measures 34 feet wide and 17 feet tall, is essentially a massive television screen that can display content in much greater detail with its High Dynamic Range. It does not require a projector, eliminating the need for a projection room.
Samsung Electronics America boasts that the screen can display true black and is unaffected by ambient lighting. The screen was noticeably brighter and displayed richer detail during trailer showings for “Black Panther” and “A Wrinkle in Time.”
Taking a cue from Samsung, additional consumer electronics companies are eyeing the cinema business. The CinemaCon exhibition floor is traditionally filled with popcorn poppers, candy, cinema seats and projectors; however, there could be a whole new crop of exhibitors from the consumer electronics industry, such as LG, Sharp or Vizio. There are now at least six consumer electronics and LED technology companies looking to enter the theatrical exhibition business, according to an industry insider. While the source declined to name the companies, the reason was evident: The LED cinema screens which were introduced this year could replace conventional cinema projection with what are effectively LED video walls.
“Many of the studios think LED is the best thing since sliced bread,” said National Association of Theatre Owners head John Fithian. Presumably, studios like the new screens for their brighter picture and high dynamic range, which was been often cited among proponents of the technology. But Fithin also added that others argue the new systems are simply a giant TV screen, and some seasoned filmmakers, including Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan, have expressed serious concerns about the technology.
Consumer tech giant Samsung has thrown its hat into the ring by launching an LED cinema screen system dubbed Samsung Onyx. The first such installation in the U.S. opened last weekend at Pacific Theatres Winnetka in Chatsworth, California. Ironically, the first motion picture to play on the new screen was Spielberg’s own Ready Player One. Samsung also has a handful of the systems installed internationally, and expects to have at least 30 installations by the end of the year.
Sony Electronics — which also offers digital cinema projectors — is developing a Crystal LED cinema screen, which was also on display at CinemaCon. Sony has emphasized that it wants to work with filmmakers to get the rollout right, but also acknowledged that it hopes to have its first LED screen in a cinema within the year. The company also reported that it will be installing an LED screen for screening and postproduction uses on the Sony Pictures lot in Culver City, as well as at its soon-to-open Sony Digital Media Center in Glendale, California, in order to engage filmmakers.
Projector maker Christie and Wanda Film Holdings have acknowledged that they are researching the potential of LED screens for cinema use.
While proponents of such technology for movie presentation have been dazzled by the brighter picture and HDR, there is a question of whether there will be a demand among theater owners. That’s because there is also a question if the typical moviegoer will see a difference or pay a premium for the experience compared with the screening options currently available in today’s theaters.
But if it does get some traction, LED walls are disruptive cinema technology with numerous issues that will need to be addressed.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/tv-manufacturers-eye-movie-theaters-as-next-hot-market-led-screens-1106603
Streaming
Live Events
Alternative Content
Alternative Content at the Movies: Experience High-Brow Entertainment at Your Local Theater
Sound Improvements
Object Oriented Sound
Virtual Reality
the computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors.
Augmented Reality
a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world, thus providing a composite view
4D
D film or 4-D film is a marketing term for an entertainment presentation system combining a 3D film with physical effects that occur in the theatre in synchronization with the film. Effects simulated in a 4D film may include rain, wind, temperature changes, strobe lights, and vibration. Seats in 4D venues may vibrate or move a few centimeters during the presentations. Other common chair effects include air jets, water sprays, and leg and back ticklers. Auditorium effects may include smoke, rain, lightning, bubbles, and smell.
Because physical effects can be expensive to install, 4D films are most often presented in custom-built theatres at special venues such as theme parks and amusement parks. However, some movie theatres have the ability to present 4D versions of wide-release 3D films. The films Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008) and Avatar (2009) are among the films that have received a 4D treatment in certain theatres.1 There are also mobile 4D theaters, which are mounted inside vehicles such as enclosed trailers, buses and trucks.
4D films are distinct from four-dimensional space. Notable historical formats for providing different aspects of a “fourth dimension” to films include Sensurround, and Smell-O-Vision. As of June 2015, about 530 screens worldwide have installed some 4-D technology.2
ScreenX
ScreenX is the world’s first multi-projection immersive cinematic platform which provides moviegoers a 270-degree viewing experience by expanding the scene onto the side walls.
ScreenX is a three-screen configuration that puts the images on the front and sides of a theater. The screen technology would run across the side walls, using six projectors per wall and stitching the images together (meaning that the system uses a total of 13 projectors).
ScreenX is a new kind of viewing experience that wraps the picture around much of the audience, making the movie-going experience more immersive. The multi-projection system can be installed in existing theaters, because it works by extending the movie off of the main screen and onto the theater’s side walls.
Barco Escape was a multi screen video format similar to Cinerama introduced in 2015 by Barco N.V.. The format combines Barco technologies such as Auro 11.1 as well as multi-projection in order to create a panoramic experience. The technology was expected to compete with IMAX and Dolby Cinema
PLF
Premium large-format (PLF) theatres – usually housed in museums and cinema auditoriums – are gaining widespread popularity, enticing audiences with giant screens, premium sound systems and enhanced customer offerings.
Motion Seats
Sing-a-longs
Gaming
Interactive Cinema
Holograms
