Cinema Technology May. 01, 2025
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Arts Alliance Media (AAM) is the global leader in digital cinema software and services, offering a wide range of solutions which help exhibitors to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve the cinematic experience for their customers.

AAM’s extensive portfolio, including Producer, Screenwriter, Lifeguard, MX4D, and HeyLED, touches over 42,000 screens worldwide, while their network operations centre (NOC) supports several thousand screens.
 
AAM is part of the Luxin-Rio Group, the world’s foremost cinema technologies provider.

Recent News:
Apr 2, 2025 Arts Alliance Media Announces Inaugural Partner Awards, Honouring Cinema West Theatres and Sound Vision Technical
Arts Alliance Media Logo
Arts Alliance Media (AAM), global leader in digital cinema software and support services, is proud to announce the winners of its inaugural client awards. These awards celebrate partners who have not only demonstrated outstanding use of AAM’s technology but who also embody the company’s mission: to empower global cinema exhibition in delivering exceptional moviegoing experiences.

Apr 1, 2025 Cinépolis Renew Software Partnership with Arts Alliance Media for Producer, Screenwriter and AdFuser Solutions
Arts Alliance Media Logo
Arts Alliance Media (AAM), global leader in digital cinema software and support services, has announced the extension of a long-standing partnership with Cinépolis, the leader of the film and entertainment industry in Mexico and Latin America, and the world’s largest cinema chain in terms of attendance per-auditorium.

Mar 26, 2025 Sound Vision Technical Highlights Arts Alliance Media's Premier Software and Support in New Case Study
Arts Alliance Media Logo
Arts Alliance Media (AAM), global leader in digital cinema software and support services, has been commended for delivering premier support access, high-quality cinema solutions, and optimised efficiency for exhibitors in a newly released case study featuring Chase Taylor of Sound Vision Technical (SVT), a trusted provider of digital cinema conversions and installations worldwide.

Mar 4, 2025 Arts Alliance Media Appoint Alan Bowen as Chief Executive Officer
Arts Alliance Media Logo
Arts Alliance Media (AAM), the global leader in digital cinema software and support services, is delighted to announce the appointment of Alan Bowen as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with immediate effect.


Featured Cinema Items:
Photo: AAM Producer
AAM Producer

AAM Producer
Photo: AAM Producer
Enterprise Theatre Management System
With more control and enhanced visibility, Producer lets you manage content across an entire cinema circuit from anywhere, at any time; all from a single dashboard. From automated playlist creation to real-time content and site monitoring, gain a bird’s-eye view of your cinemas’ operations.
More Information:
http://www.artsalliancemedia.com/product?id=1
Photo: AAM Screenwriter
AAM Screenwriter

AAM Screenwriter
Photo: AAM Screenwriter
Theatre Management System
As the most powerful, widely deployed Theatre Management System (TMS) in the world, Screenwriter offers comprehensive control over your content and screens from one central location in your cinema. Prepare to join a global network of centralised cinemas.
More Information:
http://www.artsalliancemedia.com/product?id=2
Photo: AAM Lifeguard
AAM Lifeguard

AAM Lifeguard
Photo: AAM Lifeguard
Hardware Management System
In a post Virtual Print Fee (VPF) world, Lifeguard gives you the tools to build your own NOC solution, helping to optimise hardware and reduce lost revenue. Now, you can stay on top of your assets with one central application
More Information:
http://www.artsalliancemedia.com/product?id=3
Photo: AAM HeyLED
AAM HeyLED

AAM HeyLED
Photo: AAM HeyLED
Digital LED Cinema Screen Technology
Revealing pure colour, true black, and higher contrast and brightness, the HeyLED Digital LED Cinema Screen presents colour as you’ve never seen it before. Prepare your audiences for the next generation cinema screen.
More Information:
http://www.artsalliancemedia.com/product?id=6



USHIO manufactures the highest-quality digital cinema projection bulbs available.

USHIO xenon short-arc lamps boast a spectrum that is closer to natural sunlight than that of any other artificial light source. In addition to commercializing products for search and spot lights, which demand precise, powerful white beam lamps.

USHIO became the first in the world to develop a xenon short-arc lamp exclusively for large scale, theater-use movie projectors.

Recent News:
Nov 12, 2024 Ushio Announces Appointment of Michael Phipps as New President and Chief Operating Officer at Christie
Christie Logo
Ushio America Logo
Ushio Inc., a trusted leader in light sources and optical equipment for industrial processing, visual imaging, and life sciences, and parent company to Christie®, announced today the appointment of Michael Phipps as president and chief operating officer of Christie Digital Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries.


Apr 4, 2023 Ushio Appoints Koji Naito as New Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Christie
Christie Logo
Ushio America Logo
Ushio Inc., a trusted leader in light sources and optical equipment for industrial processing, visual imaging and life sciences, and parent company to Christie®, the leader in audio and visual technologies, today jointly announce the appointment of Koji Naito as the new chairman and CEO of Christie Digital Systems, globally.

Dec 9, 2018 New LUMINITY Series by USHIO Saves the Xenon Heyday Worldwide
Ushio America Logo
USHIO, one of the largest and most trusted names in the manufacturing of high-pressure xenon lamps today, proudly introduces the LUMINITY series.  LUMINITY is the result of a substantial R&D effort that extends the lifespan of numerous xenon lamps with additional working hours between 100-500 hours.

Aug 11, 2016 Ushio America Announces Partnership with Matex Controls
Ushio America Logo
Ushio America, Inc. is pleased to announce partnership with Matex Controls, leader in software development for Building Management System. Their unique Virtual Energy Management System (VEMS®) platform, designed specifically for cinema buildings in mind, offers energy savings of more than 25% over time. VEMS presents the new possibilities of their innovative method of saving energy in buildings, especially cinemas.

Featured Cinema Items:
Photo: USHIO Cinema Lamps
USHIO Cinema Lamps

USHIO Cinema Lamps
Photo: USHIO Cinema Lamps
Impress your audience
USHIO lamps offer great performance with an extremely long lifetime. The superior quality in brightness, contrast, color and sharpness on your cinema screen will constantly impress your audience. Our consistent performance and reliability are unmatched. That’s why huge majority of movie theaters around the globe already trust the USHIO products.
More Information:
https://www.ushio.com/products/cinema/



Christie is a leader in visual solutions for world-class organizations, offering diverse applications for cinema exhibitors. 

Christie, a leading innovator since 1929 and a pioneer in projection systems since 1979has established a global reputation as a quality manufacturer of display technologies and solutions for the world's cinema exhibition industry.. 

Christie offers comprehensive solutions for cinema, large audience venues, control rooms, business presentations, training facilities, 3D and Virtual Reality, simulation and education as well as industrial and government environments.

Recent News:
Apr 22, 2025 Christie Secures Multi-Year Partnership with Independent Cinemas Australia as Exclusive Projection Partner for Ica Conference
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Christie® is proud to announce that it has entered into a three-year agreement with Independent Cinemas Australia (ICA) to support its annual conference as the exclusive projection partner from 2025 to 2027. Reflecting this partnership, the event has been officially rebranded as “ICA Conference: Projected by Christie.”


Apr 16, 2025 Christie supports future filmmakers with sponsorship of the Australian Film Television and Radio School’s Alumni and Industry Scholarship
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Christie® is pleased to announce its recent contribution to the Alumni and Industry Scholarship Fund at The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS), reinforcing its dedication to developing future talent in the film and broadcast industries.

Mar 31, 2025 Helios SA Converts Entire Chain to Christie Laser Projection in Major Multi-Year Agreement
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Helios SA, the largest independent cinema chain in Poland, has signed a multi-year agreement with Christie® to convert its entire chain to RGB pure laser projection. Over the next couple of years, all Helios screens will have the latest laser projectors from Christie’s CineLife+™ Series and CineLife+ IMB-S4 media servers.

Mar 27, 2025 Christie Equips New Cinemex Theatres in Mexico with Laser Projectors
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Cinemex, one of Mexico’s leading cinema chains, has acquired Christie® CineLife+™ Series laser cinema projectors to equip five theatre complexes as part of its brand renewal and modernization initiative, coinciding with its 30th anniversary.

Featured Cinema Items:
Photo: Christie CineLife
Christie CineLife

Christie CineLife
Photo: Christie CineLife
Features
Graphic Missing
Graphic Missing Christie® RGB laser projection systems feature an innovative system architecture with a remote projection head connected to the laser light source (laser module) via a fiber optic link. Often referred to as "pure laser", RGB laser technology uses individual red, green and blue lasers to generate light.
Technology designed to bring your cinema to life.
We designed our CineLife Series to be both affordable and easy to install, to help bring RGB pure laser to the mainstream auditorium. With no need for external chillers or fiber-coupling, DCI-compliant CineLife projectors fit perfectly into limited spaces and produce premium-grade visuals.
More Information:
https://www.christiedigital.com/products/cinema/projection/cin...
Photo: Christie CineLife+
Christie CineLife+

Christie CineLife+
Photo: Christie CineLife+
Features
Graphic Missing
Graphic Missing Christie® RGB laser projection systems feature an innovative system architecture with a remote projection head connected to the laser light source (laser module) via a fiber optic link. Often referred to as "pure laser", RGB laser technology uses individual red, green and blue lasers to generate light.
Brilliant illumination, brilliant electronics. Unmatched cinematic performance.
CineLife+ projectors are DCI-compliant, offer a new world of color and contrast, provide high efficiency and a long operational life, and reproduce 2D and 3D content at 4K resolution and up to 120 frames per second. See the future with CineLife+ projectors!
More Information:
https://www.christiedigital.com/products/cinema/projection/cin...
Photo: Christie Duo
Christie Duo

Christie Duo
Photo: Christie Duo
Features
Dual Projector Integration Kit
Christie® Duo is a dual-projection integration kit. With it, you can generate twice the projected brightness for sharper, superior 2D and 3D images. But you get none of the high cost or hassle that comes with current industry ‘big screen’ premium solutions.
More Information:
https://www.christiedigital.com/products/cinema/projection/chr...



When you choose Barco, you're not just selecting a projector; you're investing in a world-class cinema experience backed by decades of projection heritage and cutting-edge technology.

Our award-winning laser portfolio isn't just extensive; it's a testament to our commitment to excellence. From the AIS Lumiere award for lightsteering to the prestigious AIS Wheatstone award and the consecutive BTOB awards in 2020 and 2021 – our trophy shelf is a reflection of our dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation.


Recent News:
Apr 2, 2025 Barco Expands 2025 HDR by Barco Release Slate with Universal Pictures’ JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH and New Live-Action HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
Barco Logo
Barco announced today from CinemaCon, the annual convention for theater owners in Las Vegas, that Universal Pictures’ JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH and new live-action HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON will release in premium HDR by Barco.

Apr 1, 2025 Warner Bros. Pictures’ SINNERS From Ryan Coogler and Starring Michael B. Jordan In a Dual Role Confirmed for Release in Premium HDR by Barco
Barco Logo
Today at CinemaCon, the annual gathering of theater owners in Las Vegas, Barco announced Warner Bros. Pictures’ SINNERS is set for release in the HDR by Barco premium format.


Mar 31, 2025 Barco Announces Upcoming 2025 Sony Pictures Titles for Release in HDR: KARATE KID: LEGENDS, 28 YEARS LATER
Barco Logo
On the first day of CinemaCon 2025, the annual gathering of theater owners in Las Vegas, Barco announced upcoming Sony Pictures titles to be released in premium HDR by Barco.

Mar 31, 2025 Barco Debuts New Smart Cinema Amplifier and Integrated Media Server with Audio Processing at CinemaCon 2025
Barco Logo
Barco, the global leader in laser cinema technology, debuted two new solutions at CinemaCon 2025 today, expanding the Barco Cinema portfolio with enhanced audio capabilities and faster, more efficient operations. The Barco mFusion ICMP-XS integrated audio and media server and Barco Smart Amplifier are designed to work seamlessly with the award-winning Barco Series 4 projection family to enable unified technology management, powerful content processing and playback, and rich surround sound.

Featured Cinema Items:
Photo: HDR by Barco
HDR by Barco

HDR by Barco
Photo: HDR by Barco
HDR by Barco
Elevate your cinema with unprecedented brightness, profound blacks, and captivating contrast. Harnessing the power of laser projection and a patented approach, HDR by Barco redefines the very essence of cinematic excellence.
More Information:
https://www.barco.com/en/solutions/cinema/hdr-by-barco
Photo: Barco Series 4
Barco Series 4

Barco Series 4
Photo: Barco Series 4
Barco Series 4
We designed Barco Series 4 in collaboration with cinemas for their exact needs. A unified family of next-generation laser projectors. Powering your cinema with a performance and a simplicity you’ve never seen before.
More Information:
https://www.barco.com/en/products/cinema-systems/cinema-projec...
Photo: Laser Light Upgrade
Laser Light Upgrade

Laser Light Upgrade
Photo: Laser Light Upgrade
Laser Light Upgrade
Prepare your projector for tomorrow. Our fully-integrated Laser Light Upgrade can replace and improve the light source in Series 2 models. A sustainable way to bring incredible image quality and crystal-clear cinema to your audience.
More Information:
https://www.barco.com/en/products/cinema-systems/cinema-projec...



GDC Technology is a leading manufacturer and provider of cinema equipment and solutions including cinema automation systems, cinema servers, cinema enterprise software, cinema storage, cinema audio solutions, and cinema projectors.
 
GDC's products and solutions meet the highly demanding performance, security and reliability requirements established by motion picture studios.

Recent News:
Apr 2, 2025 Lotte and GDC Technology Strengthen Alliance with New Multi-Year Media Server Agreement
GDC Technology Limited Logo
GDC Technology Limited ('GDC'), a global leader in digital cinema solutions, today announced that Lotte Cinema has selected GDC's SR-1000 Standalone Integrated Media Block™ (IMB) for its comprehensive theatre upgrade program. The agreement covers the replacement of legacy systems and new installations across Lotte Cinema locations.

Apr 1, 2025 GDC AIB-3000 Transforms Cinema Audio
GDC Technology Limited Logo
GDC Technology Limited (‘GDC’), a leading global provider of digital cinema solutions, announced today that worldwide sales and commitments for its 16-channel cinema audio processor, AIB-3000, have shipped over 270 units since its introduction in 2024.

Apr 1, 2025 EIKON Develops Smart Workflow with GDC’s SCL Centralized Playback Server Solution
GDC Technology Limited Logo
GDC Technology Limited (‘GDC’), a leading global provider of digital cinema solutions, announced today that EIKON has selected GDC’s SCL Centralized Playback Server solution to manage the ingest and streaming playback of Digital Cinema Packages (DCP) for Quality Control (QC) of content at its global facilities. 

Mar 31, 2025 GDC Technology Reaches Major Milestone with the World’s First DCI-Certified HDR LED Media Server Designed for Cinema Screen
GDC Technology Limited Logo
GDC Technology Limited (‘GDC’), a leading global provider of digital cinema solutions announced that a new Cinity LED solution incorporating media server technology from GDC, has successfully passed the latest and most rigorous test for High Dynamic Range (“HDR”) and 3D presentation under Compliance Test Plan (CTP) version 1.4.1 from Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI).

Featured Cinema Items:
Photo: Cinema Automation
Cinema Automation

Cinema Automation
Photo: Cinema Automation
GDC’s CA2.0 smart cinema solution not only automates your playback process from the SCL Mk2 live-streaming library server to one or each auditorium’s diskless SR-1000 media server but also allows exhibitors to fully automate the booth operations with a one-stop-shop solution by bundling with GDC’s four automation products designed for: 1. Power ...
More Information:
https://www.gdc-tech.com/cinema-solutions/cinema-automation/?u...
Photo: Cinema Media Servers
Cinema Media Servers

Cinema Media Servers
Photo: Cinema Media Servers
GDC manufactures and develops high-quality DCI-compliant digital cinema media servers fulfilling customers’ needs for the past 20 years. GDC partners with the most DCI-recognized cinema display technologies in the world including Barco, Cineappo, Christie, Sony, SHAPP/NEC cinema professional digital cinema projectors and Samsung Onyx Cinema LED ...
More Information:
https://www.gdc-tech.com/cinema-solutions/cinema-media-servers...
Photo: Cinema Enterprise Software
Cinema Enterprise Software

Cinema Enterprise Software
Photo: Cinema Enterprise Software
GDC leading digital cinema solutions provider develops different revolutionary enterprise solutions to streamline the cinema chain operations which include: TMS-2000 Theatre Management System is your comprehensive solution to manage content, digital cinema equipment, and more from a central location. TmsAware™ App allows you to monitor cinema o...
More Information:
https://www.gdc-tech.com/cinema-solutions/cinema-enterprise-so...
Photo: Cinema Storage
Cinema Storage

Cinema Storage
Photo: Cinema Storage
GDC cinema storage solutions offer scalable storage options with different features that fit exhibitors’ various needs. You may choose to upgrade your existing cinema media server SR-1000 IMB with built-in CineCache™ 2TB. You may consider choosing larger storage with an external hard drive for movie DCPs including Portable Storage features up to...
More Information:
https://www.gdc-tech.com/cinema-solutions/cinema-storage/?utm_...

Industry Partners



The International Cinema Technology Association is a global network of professionals in the motion picture industry. Members of the ICTA are those companies that manufacture, service and create the equipment that goes into movie theatres. Our members are on the cutting edge of new technologies and have been the driving force in digital, 3D, immersive sound systems, high frame rates and lasers. The ICTA promotes technological advancements in the motion picture industry through educational seminars and programs. The ICTA logo stands for excellence and professionalism and when on a member’s letterhead signifies that the company is reliable, competent and committed.
Recent News:
Apr 23, 2025 ICTA Announces 2025 EMEA Award Winner for Best New Build Cinema of the Year: EMOTION Kino Monheim am Rhein (Germany)
ICTA Logo
The International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) is proud to announce the first winner of its 2025 ICTA EMEA Awards: EMOTION Kino Monheim am Rhein, Germany, has been named Best New Build Cinema of the Year.

Mar 31, 2025 ICTA, Inter-Society, and The Cinema Foundation Celebrate the Inaugural Cinema Systems Summit
ICTA Logo
The Inter-Society, the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA), and The Cinema Foundation proudly welcome a capacity crowd to the fully booked inaugural Cinema Systems Summit, a groundbreaking event dedicated to the interconnected technologies that drive the modern moviegoing experience.

Jan 7, 2025 ICTA Unveils Winners of the Fourth Annual North America Cinema Awards
ICTA Logo
The International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA), the leading global network of motion picture professionals, is thrilled to announce the winners of the Fourth Annual North America Cinema Awards (NACA), presented in partnership with Celluloid Junkie.

Dec 2, 2024 ICTA and CineAsia Announce Cinema XXI as the First-Ever Recipient of their APAC Achievement Award
ICTA Logo
CineAsia 2025 Logo
The International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and CineAsia are proud to announce that Cinema XXI, Indonesia’s leading cinema operator, has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the ICTA CineAsia APAC Achievement Award. This prestigious award celebrates outstanding showmanship and excellence in presentation technology within the APAC region.

Shows & Events



CineEurope 2025, has been scheduled for June 16-19, 2025 in Barcelona. 

CineEurope promises to bring you another year with the very best in exclusive studio screenings and product presentations, cinematic technologies and innovations and educational seminars to keep your business on top of industry trends.

Recent News:
Apr 17, 2025 Kinopolis to Receive Milestone Award at CineEurope 2025
CineEurope 2025 Logo
KINOPOLIS Management Multiplex GmbH has been named as the recipient of the CineEurope 2025 “Milestone Award”, recognising its enduring legacy and transformative impact on German and European cinema exhibition. The award will be presented to Dr. Gregory Theile, Managing Partner of Kinopolis, during the CineEurope Awards Ceremony on Thursday 19 June at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.

May 6, 2024 Kinepolis to Receive 2024 Milestone Award
CineEurope 2025 Logo
KINEPOLIS Group NV, the Belgian company operating 109 cinemas and 1,131 screens worldwide, has been named as the 2024 recipient of the CineEurope Milestone Award, given in recognition of its outstanding accomplishments within European cinema exhibition. The Award will be presented as part of the CineEurope Awards Ceremony on Thursday 20 June at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.

Jun 19, 2023 Celebrating European Cinema at CineEurope 2023
CineEurope 2025 Logo
Welcoming delegates at the opening ceremony of this year’s CineEurope, Phil Clapp and Laura Houlgatte, President and CEO respectively of the European cinema trade grouping UNIC, today celebrated the unique appeal of the Big Screen experience.

May 24, 2023 Cinionic Named Official Cinema Projection Provider Of CineEurope 2023
Barco Logo
CineEurope 2025 Logo
Cinionic, the global leader in laser cinema technology, has partnered with the Film Expo Group to become the Official Cinema Projection Provider of CineEurope for the fifth year in a row. All projection equipment in the CCIB Auditorium will be supplied by Cinionic, powering the studio product presentations and screenings with Laser Projection by Cinionic.



ShowEast 2025 is scheduled to be held in Miami from September 15-18th at Loews Miami Beach, features a range of exclusive product presentations and screenings from both Independent and Major Hollywood studios to help you make important programming decisions for the 4th quarter box office.

ShowEast’s International program draws a large contingency of Latin and South American delegates – more than any other convention of its kind.

Recent News:
Oct 17, 2019 Christie’s Jack Kline inducted into the ShowEast Hall of Fame
Christie Logo
ShowEast Logo
Jack Kline, current advisor and former Chairman, President and CEO of Christie, today, was inducted into the annual ShowEast Hall of Fame. An honor which pays tribute to a select band of film industry veterans, the inductees are hand-picked by an all-industry executive committee. Kline’s induction ceremony took place at a special gala luncheon held on October 17, the final day of ShowEast 2019.


Oct 10, 2019 Women in Exhibition (WIE) Builds Momentum at ShowEast 2019
ShowEast Logo
Women in Exhibition (WIE) that launched during last month’s mid-western Geneva Convention, where founding members led a panel on women’s leadership, are excited to expand their industry outreach heading into this year’s ShowEast, October 14-17, 2019.    

Oct 26, 2018 CJ 4DPLEX Wins 2018 ShowEast “Innovator of the Year” for ScreenX
ShowEast Logo
CJ 4DPLEX (www.cj4dx.com), the world's leading cinema technology company, announced today that the Film Expo Group has selected the company for the ShowEast “Innovator of the Year.” The organization will present the award and honor Brandon Choi, CEO of CJ 4DPLEX America, as a part of the ShowEast Awards Ceremony on Thursday, October 25 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.



CineAsia 2025 has been scheduled for Dec 8-11, 2025 in Bangkok.  

The CineAsia trade show is where cinema exhibition and distribution professional come to do business and network. The convention will also feature product presentations and screenings of major upcoming films, exclusive sponsored events, and seminars relating to current and future trends happening across the industry.  

Recent News:
Dec 2, 2024 ICTA and CineAsia Announce Cinema XXI as the First-Ever Recipient of their APAC Achievement Award
ICTA Logo
CineAsia 2025 Logo
The International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and CineAsia are proud to announce that Cinema XXI, Indonesia’s leading cinema operator, has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the ICTA CineAsia APAC Achievement Award. This prestigious award celebrates outstanding showmanship and excellence in presentation technology within the APAC region.

Nov 2, 2020 Film Expo Group and Presenting Sponsor, Cinionic, Announce the 2020 CineAsia On-Line Schedule of Events
Barco Logo
CineAsia 2025 Logo
The Film Expo Group and presenting sponsor Cinionic, the Barco, CGS, and ALPD cinema joint venture, are pleased to announce the 2020 CineAsia Conference & Trade Show Schedule of Events. In consideration of COVID-19, this year’s convention is entirely online, running November 4 & 5, 2020.

Feb 6, 2020 Cineasia Reclaims Bangkok as Site for Cineasia 2020
CineAsia 2025 Logo
The Film Expo Group is pleased to officially announce that CineAsia is relocating to Bangkok, Thailand from 7-10, December, 2020. The venue will be the Royal Paragon Halls at the Siam Paragon Mall with screenings and presentations at the Paragon Cinema.

Jul 24, 2019 Dinh Thi Thanh Huong to Receive Distributor of the Year at CineAsia 2019
CineAsia 2025 Logo
Dinh Thi Thanh Huong, Vice Chairwoman of Galaxy Media and Entertainment JSC will receive the “Distributor of the Year” Award at the CineAsia Awards Ceremony on Thursday, 12 December 2019 at the Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong.


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Zwaag—Jan 9, 2019

Alcons Gains A New Legion Of Fans At Hollywood’s Post 43

Photo American Legion Post43 ©TaiyoWatanabe frontview
Founded in 1919 by First World War veterans working in the motion picture industry, the American Legion’s Post 43 became a Hollywood icon, with members including Clark Gable, Charlton Heston, Mickey Rooney, Ronald Reagan and more. In recent years membership of both Post 43 and the Legion in general has declined, but a major project to update the post’s auditorium is putting it back at the center of the Los Angeles community. Alcons Audio auditioned and was chosen for the starring role.

Given its location on Highland Avenue, Hollywood, it’s unsurprising that movies have always played a key role in the life of Post 43. As veteran Bill Steele - Post 43 member and the upgrade’s project manager - says, it has always been “that much more showbiz” than any other American Legion post. Built of reinforced concrete in the Art Deco style, the Post’s memorial clubhouse features a central auditorium where various meetings and events take place as well as, in the past, movies being shown.

Several years ago, Post Commander Fernando Rivero not only saw the opportunity to restore the faded grandeur of the auditorium, but to transform it into a state-of-the-art, 500-seat movie theater, which would re-establish Post 43’s role as an important part of the local community.

“Fernando understood how it was a gem that just needed polishing. It had great potential for it to be a rental facility and a cultural venue, to bring the public in to see this amazing theatre we have,” says Bill. “The plan was to modernize it as a technically-advanced cinema, but to retain the ability to host dances, meetings and live music, and with everything done in the context of its history and that honored its architecture.” Ambitiously, on the cinema side the desire was also to make it suitable for digital, 70mm, 35mm and even 16mm film showings.

Demanding audience
One of the first things Bill did was to look into an appropriate audio system. “It’s a very demanding audience in Hollywood, because they've heard it all,” he says. “Early on we decided not to install Dolby Atmos, because we didn't want to destroy the architecture of the room. But we really wanted the best possible sound, a high end system that would go above and beyond all others.

“Before we started, the audio system was a large mono speaker and an old horn PA system, like in a prison yard. It was really antiquated,” Bill smiles. “But everything that had been part of the movie system had all long been stripped out. The room really was just a shell.”

A major challenge was how to deliver high quality sound for every perceived use in a large, very reverberant space, where the plan was to highlight the art deco architecture by taking it back to its original concrete. But, unknown at the time to the Post 43 membership, Bill is an audiophile and a long-term fan of the open, transparent sound of ribbon drivers.

His introduction to Alcons Audio was at the annual International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) seminar in LA, where Alcons’ David Rahn was giving a talk about the company’s pro-ribbon systems. 

“I didn't know that there was a ribbon system for the cinema market and so I was really intrigued how Alcons had overcome the limitations of past designs,” says Bill. “To be honest I was a little wary, because previous systems hadn’t had the power handling, they didn’t have the required ‘oomph’. I wanted to hear a demonstration, so David brought over some Alcons pro-ribbon nearfield monitors and, without any acoustic treatment in the room, they sounded amazing straight out of the box. I brought people from our cinema committee in and they were really impressed.”

He continues, “The long reverb times in the room have always been a problem, so it needed a system that would minimize unwanted reflections. David’s demo showed that the Alcons pro-ribbon system would really help, because the speakers are so directional. Along with the dynamics, transparency and power handling, frankly it blew everyone away.”

With it needing to also be suitable for live recitals, corporate events, meetings and more, the chosen audio system needed to deliver high end PA functionality as well as exceptional movie sound. Using a mono array as a demonstrator, David proved that Alcons checked that box as well. “I set the bar pretty high for what we wanted and Alcons fulfilled all our criteria, with a fair bit in reserve,” says Bill. “We listened to a lot of systems, but Alcons was the only one that gave me no reason at all not to choose it.”

Taming the acoustics
In the meantime, Peter Grueneisen of LA-based nonzero architecture - a company renowned for its high-end acoustic spaces - was brought in to help the restoration of the architecture, at the same time as taming the acoustics. 

“We worked with Arup at the start to model the space, which helped us to determine the required treatment,” he says. “The first issue was to refine the reverb, but we also had to face the inherent problem of multipurpose spaces - that the acoustic requirements are different for movies and live events. For movies you really want a flat acoustic, but for live events you want that extra ‘liveness’.

“We thought about variable acoustics but, from the Arup model, the results didn't seem sufficient to justify the cost. In the end we chose fixed acoustic treatment, which is tilted towards movies but which has enough liveness for concerts and presentations.”

After 90 years of paint had been stripped back to bare concrete, wall panels and ceiling treatment were added, followed by a new baffle wall on stage for the Alcons system, as well as perforated wood panels around the lower walls, bespoke CNC-machined in acoustic patterns depicting different movies. 

“An entire year was spent building the infrastructure, to make sure we had the best playing field for the speaker system,” adds Peter. “It included completely rebuilding the ancient air conditioning system, installing a new one in the plenum space below the auditorium and sealing it to ensure there was no resonance from it or the banquet space below that. Everything was done to keep the acoustics as neutral as possible.

“The fact that Alcons pro-ribbon systems are so focused was a huge help. We didn't have to worry about sound splatter across the entire space, we knew that all the energy would be focused on the audience. It meant that it all fell into place very well. For a space that is so acoustically challenging, there were no major problems.”

Something special
The chosen Alcons system comprises five CR4 tri-amped large-format screen systems, 16 CRS12 large-format reference surround, 12 LR7 micro line-array modules and four CB362 high-output full-size subwoofers, powered and controlled by six Sentinel10 amplified loudspeaker controllers. Installed by LA-based Stay On Screen, it delivers the best solution for both movie screenings and live events.

Designed to meet the requirements of all current and future (digital) cinema sound formats, the CR4 features three RBN401 pro-ribbon HF driver arrays, quad 6.5” midrange and double 15” woofers.  By implementing line-source technology throughout the system (an industry first), the normal -6dB step reduction of SPL coverage from front to rear is reduced. This ‘proximity’ effect dramatically improves the experience for the audience further away from the screen, while the precise projection pattern also prevents unwanted ceiling reflections.

The HF section has a 2400W peak power input, offering a dynamic range of 1:16 with up to 90% less distortion from 1kHz to beyond 20kHz, delivering the kind of audio quality that Bill knew a pro-ribbon system could provide. Alcons Signal Integrity Sensing™ (SIS) pre-wiring also significantly increases response accuracy, further reducing distortion.

Another industry first is the shallow 13.7” (35cm) enclosure, which means only a minimum of space behind the screen is required, while the patented Real-90 horizontal dispersion widens the stereo experience for the audience seated at the far left and right of the auditorium. 

“The Alcons pro-ribbon solution overcomes so many limitations of other cinema systems. There is something very special about being in a movie theater and being hit with high levels of undistorted sound. Very few systems can do that and I’m really excited about it,” says Bill. “It means no ear fatigue for the listener and we’re also going to have tremendous headroom. The potential is phenomenal.

“In addition, the CR4s give us five channels behind the screen for showing older formats, which most multiplexes won't spend the money to have. We wanted to reinvent the space as a really high end movie theater and performance space. Alcons delivers that without question. Frankly the system was impossible to say no to.”

Levi Joos, proprietor of Stay On Screen, was equally excited about the Alcons solution. “When Bill suggested using Alcons, I was very impressed with the pro-ribbon technology and the awards that it had been winning in Europe,” he says. “From an installation perspective, it was helpful that it didn't need all the power and wiring down by the stage. The support from Alcons was also very good, which we really appreciated.”

Bill agrees, saying, “Alcons customer service was really top notch. It was much more than just a sale to them, they went way above and beyond what was expected, doing a lot of work to make sure everything was exactly right.”

With the first public event at Post 43’s refurbished hall taking place on 29th August - with His Honor Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles, in attendance - Bill is absolutely confident about the long term starring role that the Alcons pro-ribbon system will play in putting this once-iconic location back on the map. 

“We have made a huge commitment to the community and I’m absolutely confident that, with Alcons, we made the right decision,” he says. “I don't think I've ever heard a cinema sound system that is as undistorted and non-fatiguing. It is very relaxing to listen to, even at high decibel levels. The vocal intelligibility is superb, with human voices sounding very natural, and I'm able to pick up details, microdynamics, in the soundtrack that I haven't heard before in other systems.

“As a result, with the right soundtrack, you can really become quite immersed in a three-dimensional soundscape. It truly fulfills the promise of 'surround sound' and demonstrates how thrilling and exciting cinema sound can be with the right source material. On top of all that, it is also extremely well made, with tremendous attention to detail. With all of these positive qualities, Alcons offers exceptional value for money.” 

“I’m really happy that we have one of the best-sounding rooms in town. It’s clean, intelligible and it has a lot of headroom,” adds Levi. “I’m proud of the fact that for the next 20 years people will come to Post 43 to enjoy movies with the very best sound.”

For more information, please visit www.hollywoodpost43.org and www.alconsaudio.com .


Media Gallery
Photo American Legion Post43 ©TaiyoWatanabe frontview
Photo American Legion Post43 ©TaiyoWatanabe Rearview

Alcons Audio B.V. Web Site
About Alcons Audio B.V.:
Alcons Audio is a Dutch manufacturer of professional sound systems for quality-conscious clients in the cinema, installation and rental/touring industry.
 
The Alcons Audio team continuously strives for obtaining the most natural possible sound reproduction at any SPL with utmost day-to-day consistency and reliability. This is achieved through a tameless curiosity combined with a fearless drive to develop and implement unconventional technologies and techniques. Alcons’ multiple-patented high-power pro-ribbon technology is just one example.
 
Recent Alcons ambassadors include: Levels Audio studios Hollywood, VUE cinemas, Google/YouTube London, OsloKino Colosseum Norway, Lucasfilm Singapore, NBC Universal Pictures London and Beijing, Walt Disney Germany, Deluxe Digital studios, Factory Post studios UK, Pathé Tuschinski Amsterdam, Norwegian Film Institute, Berlinale Palast Berlin Germany, Savannah Film Festival USA
Alcons Audio B.V. Directory page

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