Sony at CinemaCon 2018: Re-inventing the Movie-going Experience

Sony is raising the curtain on the future of cinema technology at CinemaCon 2018, with demonstrations of its 4K laser projector systems and direct view Crystal LED display technology.

Since the first installation of 4K projectors in 2005, the 4K trend is now continuing with Sony’s next-generation projection based on a laser light source.
First introduced to the exhibition industry last year, Sony’s Crystal LED display system is now in the market and is wowing audiences and attendees as the next level technology for a premium viewing experience. The DCI certification process is also under going and compliance test is currently being executed.

The two Sony technologies are available to offer exhibitors the greatest flexibility in adopting the right technology for their needs and differentiating themselves today, and for tomorrow.

“Sony is re-defining the cinema experience with the right mix of technologies, service and support. Our HDR-ready 4K laser systems represents the next phase of projection and Crystal LED is the future of the premium viewing entertainment” according to Bob Raposo, Head of Theater Business, Sony’s Professional Solutions Americas Group.

4K Laser projector – Model SRX-R815P

The high-contrast, HDR-ready SRX-R800, highlighted by the new SRX-R815P model, is the first digital cinema projection system combining Sony’s latest generation native 4K SXRD with a long-lasting laser light source. With the latest advances in Sony’s acclaimed SXRD panel and optical technology, the series achieves a contrast ratio of 10,000:1. This makes all SRX-R800 models the ideal choice for delivering HDR content, giving cinema audiences an even more immersive entertainment experience.

The Sony laser phosphor projection system will be demonstrated at CinemaCon, with all sound solutions for the demonstrations provided by Meyer Sound Laboratories Inc.

As well as ensuring superb native 4K image quality and natural colour reproduction, laser phosphor light technology offers highly efficient ‘lamp free’ operation and speckle free pictures. The long-lasting light source maintains 80% of original brightness levels for up to 35,000 hours of operation, dramatically reducing maintenance needs compared with conventional Xenon lamps, and offering exhibitors considerable savings in ongoing replacement lamp costs.

The first U.S. roll-outs of the new laser projection technology are set to begin at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Star Cinema Grill locations, continuing over the next 18 months. Each exhibitor has cited the operational benefits of laser: longer-lasting light source, high contrast and brightness, all combining to enhance the movie-going experience.

The adoption of laser is also accelerated globally. In Europe, two SRX-R815DS, dual 4K laser projection systems using two sets of SRX-R815P, have been purchased by Cinecittà Nürnberg, one of Europe’s largest and most technically advanced multiplexes and a further SRX-R815DS by CineSpace for its luxurious Waterfront complex in Bremen, Germany. Plus, multiplex operator Cinéplanet has just this month installed France’s first SRX-R815DS.

In China, laser projection system is becoming first choice of large theatre chains. Huaxia, Xingfulanhai and Jinyi, three of China’s top 10 biggest cinema chains chose Sony 4K laser projection system.

Crystal LED Display System

Sony’s Crystal LED display system is a canvas for limitless flexibility and creativity in public spaces and high-end visual entertainment. This direct-view display solution promises all the benefits of projector-free presentation for high-tier screen owners, with incredible clarity, colour and more than 1,000,000:1 contrast.

The scalable system is made up of multiple display units (each measuring 18 x 16 inches) that can be joined together with no bezels to create a limitless and seamless large-screen display.

The technology uses Sony’s ultrafine LEDs in a unique surface mounting structure as its light source to deliver a visual experience not possible with even the highest-end conventional LED array.
The self-emitting display technology uses R (red), G (green), and B (blue) ultrafine LEDs mounted on the display surface, with each pixel emitting light independently. Each pixel is only 0.003 mm2 in size, allowing the remaining surface area to be more than 99% black.

This high black-to-surface ratio contributes to the technology’s high contrast ratio in light and dark viewing environments. The surface-mounted light source also improves light use efficiency.

The technology has a viewing angle of nearly 180 degrees, with corner-to-corner image uniformity in terms of brightness and colour, even on a large screen.

The canvas has a brightness of 1000 cd/m2 (1000 nits), and supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) content.

Both Sony technologies are on display at CinemaCon 2018, and for more information, visit Sony’s CinemaCon web site.