With the news that ArcLight Cinema and the Pacific Theatre will permanently close their doors, a Los Angeles tech startup is using augmented reality to pay homage to the hidden history of the iconic Cinerama Dome on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.
Venice Cinemas has deployed a suite of innovative projection and content management solutions to deliver awe-inspiring visuals in its upgraded multiplex in Taoyuan City, Taiwan. Located in the bustling business district of Zhongli, Venice Cinemas is spread across two buildings connected by an iconic, red-colored pedestrian bridge reminiscent of those found in Venice, Italy. It recently underwent a major facelift by adding five new halls at the basement level, boosting the total number of cinema auditoriums from 10 to 15. These five new halls are equipped with 8.5-meter (27.8 foot) screens, adorned in special color schemes, and connected to a spacious lobby featuring highly immersive waterfall projections that accentuates the multiplex’s distinctive aquatic theme.
CEN Media Group and Ultraleap have signed a deal that will see touchless technology signage installed into as many as ten theatres as cinemas reopen and respond to life post-COVID-19. this technology will allow brands to continue to engage with consumers in a safe and responsible way. The companies did not disclose what theatres or locations are involved in the effort.
The Independent Cinema Alliance and the Cinema Buying Alliance have announced a partnership with Digital Light Sources to launch the first energy efficient LED fixtures and bulbs supply program for facility-wide theatre complexes.
Indian digital signage company Voolsy Screen has introduced cloud-based software designed for movie theatres that will enable exhibitors to manage or update content across multiple screens from a single dashboard. Content can be scheduled well in advance, the company said in a press release, adding that the software supports images, HTML or videos.
Supercines, Ecuador’s leading cinema chain, has opened a new eight-screen multiplex in the Ambato shopping mall equipped with Christie Vive Audio and Christie RGB pure laser cinema projectors, the first of their kind in the country. The multiplex lobby also uses 60 Christie Access LCD panels to advertise upcoming movies and promotions.
The Rochester Institute of Technology, a leading university in Western New York, has upgraded its facilities to include a world-class creative technology and design hub at Magic Spell Studios. The 52,000-square-foot space brings together RIT’s academic strengths in game design and development, film and animation, new media design and more.
AMC has selected Cineplex Digital Media to manage and enhance AMC’s digital network at approximately 630 locations across the United States, including its box office signage, theatre menu boards and other ancillary signage. As part of the agreement, CDM will deploy its Flex Experience Platform throughout AMC’s domestic theatre circuit.
Self-service ticket kiosks have wide acceptance in movie theatres, but Brisbane-based TouchMate saw the potential in combining the widespread use of video walls in cinema foyers with kiosk-style features. To bring the concept to market, the company joined forces with touch sensor supplier Zytronic. TouchMate director David Ellsworth said, “Our system is an evolution of the current technology. Traditionally, the cinema might spend more than $50,000 on a video wall then install eight self-service kiosks that might cost an extra $50,000-plus. If you merge the two technologies you halve the capital costs and costs of maintenance. You save space and money.”
This week at CineEurope 2018, the Barco cinema joint venture Cinionic and chip designer AMD a are showcasing what the companies say are the world’s first multiplayer, augmented reality cinema lobby gaming applications aimed at creating a new social adventure in theatres and other location-based entertainment venues. The technology combines digital cinema lobby signage with multi-player augmented reality technology to create mini attractions that engage patrons in thrilling entertainment before and after the feature presentation.
