GDC Technology announced today that its immersive sound system has been installed, or has commitments for more than 750 screens, operated by a host of theatre companies around the globe. Within the Asia-Pacific region, China has the highest growth rate of DTS:X installations, increasing the number of screens by 39 percent in 2017.
Later this month Emagine Entertainment will unveil its Super EMAX theatre, which features a 92 feet wide by more than 48 feet tall screen. The company says it is the largest movie screen in the State of Michigan. Located at Emagine’s Novi location, the theatre’s grand opening will take place December 15 with the first showing of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Classic Cinemas is installing DTS:X immersive audio technology across 16 screens at five of its locations in the greater metropolitan Chicago region. The installation has begun and will be completed by Spring 2018 at the following theatres in Illinois: Charlestowne 18 in St. Charles, Cinema 12 in Carpentersville, Lake Theatre in Oak Park, North Riverside Luxury 6 in North Riverside, and York Theatre in Elmhurst.
Centerplex Cinemas, one of the largest motion picture exhibitors in Brazil, has announced that it plans to deliver Dolby Atmos immersive audio to 10 screens throughout Brazil. In addition, Centerplex will deploy several Dolby IMS3000 integrated media servers, Dolby multichannel amplifiers and SLS 3-Axis Speakers across its circuit, becoming the first exhibitor in Brazil to install the latest Dolby technology. Plans call for the installation to be completed by the end of 2018.
CGV Cinema Line, the largest multiplex cinema chain in Korea, plans to open thirty Dolby Cinema locations in China by the end of 2021.
Cinema West Veranda Luxe Cinema is the first cinema complex to fully integrate all Dolby technologies for an immersive Dolby Atmos audio experience across a total of nine screens. Located in Concord, California, the complex has a grand opening scheduled for December.
DTS will reach the 100th theatrical title exhibited in its DTS:X immersive audio with the September 15 release of Lionsgate’s American Assassin, directed by Michael Cuesta and starring Michael Keaton, Taylor Kitsch and Dylan O’Brien.
B&B Theatres has signed an agreement to install DTS:X immersive audio powered by GDC servers at six locations this year and six in 2018, with the remaining locations to be rolled out in late 2018/early 2019. As a licensee of the DTS:X object-based immersive sound technology for the development of GDC immersive sound media servers, GDC will be leading the effort. With this agreement, B&B Theatres will become the largest U.S. movie theatre circuit to exhibit content released with a DTS:X soundtrack.
IBC will award its highest accolade, the International Honor for Excellence, to Dolby Laboratories. In IBC’s 50th anniversary year, the award reflects on more than 50 years of continual improvement in sound from Dolby, which culminated with the 2012 release of Brave in Dolby Atmos.
While large multiplex cinema chains compete on quantity, smaller independent venues are finding a new market by specializing in quality. An example is RSB Cinemas, a Dutch company that has recently opened its second venue where cinemagoers can enjoy a new level of quality and personal service. Located in Veldhoven, just a few kilometres from the centre of Eindhoven, each of the new-build Cinema Gold’s four rooms features large, comfortable chairs with tables, at-seat luxury snacks and drinks, ordered via each seat’s service button at any time, and spectacular quality movies, thanks to Alcons pro-ribbon 7.1 channel surround sound systems and Barco Flagship laser cinema projectors.
