Barco, a global leader in digital cinema technology, is supporting Marcus Theatres as it takes the next step in evolving its digital cinema platform by installing Auro 11.1 by Barco. The industry-leading immersive cinema audio solution will combine with a JBL loudspeaker system to create a premium, immersive cinema experience in Marcus Theatres’ new giant-screen auditoriums.
The ultimate moviegoing experience Every aspect of the new UltraScreen auditorium is engineered for the ultimate in picture, sound and comfort to deliver a premium cinema experience.
“Marcus Theatres was the first circuit to introduce the concept of a branded premium large format screen and continually strives to make the experience even better for our guests. Partnering with the industry’s leading digital cinema companies is critical to our success,” said Rolando Rodriquez, president and CEO of Marcus Theatres. “With Barco and JBL, we are excited that we can deliver a one-of-a-kind cinema experience where our guests will be truly immersed in a movie like never before.”
The new UltraScreen auditorium, located at the Gurnee Mills Cinema near Chicago, Illinois, features:
- 72’ x 31’ screen
- Over 400 plush seats with articulating backs
- Auro 11.1 by Barco immersive cinema sound system
- Barco DP4K-32B dual-stack digital projection
- JBL CBT 70J-1 Line Array Column Surrounds with Constant Beam Width Technology and Asymmetrical Coverage
Marcus Theatres is evaluating plans to expand the Barco Auro 11.1 cinema Sound system to additional UltraScreen premium auditoriums featuring Barco’s 4K digital projection.
The perfect blend of immersive sound technologies Auro 11.1 by Barco is designed in accordance with a sound reproduction layout consisting of three layers (traditional Surround Sound with Height and Overhead layers), which enables studio sound mixers to move objects around in space to create the most life-like acoustical experience. Auro 11.1 is fully compatible with existing audio equipment and current workflows.
The JBL CBT 70J-1 Line Array Column Surrounds with Constant Beam Width Technology and Asymmetrical Coverage produces a higher concentration of sound with tighter pattern control for very consistent SPL levels throughout the auditorium. The concentration of superior sound level and pattern control makes the CBT70J-1 Line Array an ideal solution for Auro 11.1 surround installs.
“We are pleased to work with Marcus Theaters and Barco as the Auro 11.1 sound format promotes our technical prowess in cinema audio. Marcus UltraScreen is the perfect setting to showcase our CBT series that has gained popularity for cinemas looking for high impact surround solutions,” comments Chuck Goodsell, Director of Cinema for JBL Professional.
Entertaining a new generation The emerging media savvy generation demands a high level of sophistication when it comes to their entertainment dollar.
“With Auro 11.1, we’re helping studios and exhibitors bring movies to life with a variety of cutting-edge technologies, including Auro 11.1, as well as other value-added promotional opportunities on the horizon. These next-generation cinema solutions will combine to give the moviegoing public a richer, more immersive cinema experience on a grand scale,” comments Patrick Lee, Vice President Digital Cinema for Barco North America.
About Marcus Theatres
Marcus Theatres®, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE:MCS), is the fifth largest theatre circuit in the United States and currently owns or operates 685 screens at 55 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Ohio. For more information, please visit www.marcustheatres.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (Marcus_Theatres).
About JBL
HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.
About Auro Technologies
Auro Technologies (www.auro-3d.com; www.auro-technologies.com) is a spin-off of the Galaxy Studios Group and owner of the Auro-11.1® Technology Suite. The Auro-11.1® Concept and Listening Formats are designed by Wilfried Van Baelen, founder and CEO of Galaxy Studios and Auro Technologies. Galaxy Studios is renowned worldwide for its state-of-the-art leadership in audio innovation for music and sound for film. The Auro-11.1® suite offers ground-breaking, easy-to-use and unprecedented levels of sound reproduction capabilities to the professional, automotive, broadcast and consumer electronics markets (such as gaming, smart phones, multimedia PC, notebooks, tablets, audio players, digital TV, media libraries and packaged media).