HDR, Sound Innovations Fuel New Exhibition Tech at CinemaCon

variety.com:

Carolyn Giardina As CinemaCon got underway this week in Las Vegas, Cinema United president and CEO Michael O’Leary called on exhibitors and distributors to “come together” to transform the industry. “The world is different today than it was yesterday, and we must not just adapt, but evolve if we want to realize our future potential.” Some of that, he said in his remarks, includes investment by exhibitors. “We must continue to invest in all aspects of the moviegoing experience, from projection, sound and lighting to concessions, food and beverage, lobby and parking areas.

All the pieces matter,” he said. Underscoring that part of his message, the CinemaCon exhibition space was buzzing this week with new projection and sound developments, including moves in the direction of high dynamic range (HDR) imagery, which brings a greater range of colors from the brightest whites to the deepest blacks.

Barco announced roughly a dozen supported 2025 titles for the rollout of its HDR by Barco projectors, including Universal’s “How to Train Your Dragon” and Sony’s “Karate Kid: Legends.” HDR by Barco is one of the offerings at B&B Theatres Red Oak 12, which opened in 2024 and accepted the International Cinema Technology Association’s best new build award at CinemaCon.

The new cinema was created with the belief that theater owners need to do more than show movies, rather, they must become entertainment centers.