Samsung is trying to convince exhibitors to replace projector and canvas with a large-size LED screen. After the first commercial installation in Korea earlier this year, the screen is coming to Switzerland next. It is also coming to USA in 2018.
The future of cinema?
Movie theatres are arguably no longer at the forefront of visual technology. TVs have raced past projectors to deliver 4K resolution and not least HDR. While Dolby is equipping theatres with laser projectors, Samsung and Sony have proposed an even more radical solution; large-size LED screens.
It should be emphasized that these are true LED screens. Each pixel is made up of light emitting diodes. Samsung’s ‘Cinema LED’ measures 10.24 x 5.4 meters in size and delivers 4K DCI resolution as well as support for HDR (up to 500 nits peak brightness). The screen is 10 times brighter than a conventional projector, the company said. Speakers were developed in collaboration between Harman and Samsung Audio Lab.
The world's first installation in July 2017 was at the Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul, Korea, followed in October by another in Paragon Cineplex Theatre in Bangkok, Thailand.
The next step will be to bring the screen to Zurich, Switzerland at the Arena Cinema Sihlcity. The opening date was not announced.
- “Based on elimination of the projector beam and the high luminosity of Samsung Cinema LED screen, there are a host of new possibilities for interior design, and we are entirely removing the existing furnishings, and implementing an innovative seating concept to provide audiences with a totally new kind of cinematic experience,” said Edi Stöckli, owner of the Arena Cinemas
Samsung will continue its push into more regions, including USA, next year.
- “In addition to Switzerland, Samsung continues to expand installation of its Cinema LED screen around the world including the USA during 2018,” the company said.
Is this the future of cinema? Or perhaps even home entertainment? Samsung is rumored to unveil a 150” TV based on micro-LED technology at CES 2018 in January.
- Source: Samsung
