Tweet
Patrick and friends got together to extensively review the Sony CLEDIS and Samsung SMD LED Direct View LED Displays, that Sony reportedly wants to rebrand to Screens. Eclairs EclairColor HDR for the Sony projectors. Laser illumination and other technology shown at Cinemacom 2017.
This is an online conversation about what a group of us saw and thought about CinemaCon 2017 and also a visit to leading facilities, studios and cinemas in Los Angeles the week before. Joining the virtual chat are myself, J. Sperling Reich, the Executive Editor of Celluloid Junkie, one of our regular contributors CJ Flynn, IHSMarkit Research Director for Cinema/EDCF President David Hancock and Julian Pinn of Julian Pinn Ltd, who also happens to be the Tech Adviser to UNIC and head of IBC’s Big Screen Committee. (All the opinions expressed are the authors’ own.)
Patrick: Several of us appear to agree that this CinemaCon was the most significant one in many years, though not for one specific reason. It seems to come at a critical time for the industry, with consolidation of exhibitors, expiry of Virtual Print Fees (VPFs), the uncertainty of DCI specifications being replaced by competing proprietary solutions (Dolby Cinema, 4DX, Barco Escape, etc.), shrinking release windows, the growth of China and more. Yet, if I was to pick one standout of the show it would be Sony and Samsung showcasing their displays that do away with the need for a projector in favour of a direct view screen. Would you agree?<\q>
It feels as if manufacturers are beginning to position themselves for this new sales cycle over the next few years while exhibitors are poking around in search of the best options to differentiate their theatres not only from competitors but home viewing. During this year’s CinemaCon, the LED screens being demonstrated by Sony and Samsung were a perfect example of all this. They also happened to be the most unique or buzzworthy technology on at the show.<\q>
Issues remain or are thrown up by the new display walls with their higher brightness revealing the need for regarding, for true high framerate, and so on. And the need for audio systems to be designed around the solid display walls.
This is an online conversation about what a group of us saw and thought about CinemaCon 2017 and also a visit to leading facilities, studios and cinemas in Los Angeles the week before. Joining the virtual chat are myself, J. Sperling Reich, the Executive Editor of Celluloid Junkie, one of our regular contributors CJ Flynn, IHSMarkit Research Director for Cinema/EDCF President David Hancock and Julian Pinn of Julian Pinn Ltd, who also happens to be the Tech Adviser to UNIC and head of IBC’s Big Screen Committee. (All the opinions expressed are the authors’ own.)
Patrick: Several of us appear to agree that this CinemaCon was the most significant one in many years, though not for one specific reason. It seems to come at a critical time for the industry, with consolidation of exhibitors, expiry of Virtual Print Fees (VPFs), the uncertainty of DCI specifications being replaced by competing proprietary solutions (Dolby Cinema, 4DX, Barco Escape, etc.), shrinking release windows, the growth of China and more. Yet, if I was to pick one standout of the show it would be Sony and Samsung showcasing their displays that do away with the need for a projector in favour of a direct view screen. Would you agree?<\q>
It feels as if manufacturers are beginning to position themselves for this new sales cycle over the next few years while exhibitors are poking around in search of the best options to differentiate their theatres not only from competitors but home viewing. During this year’s CinemaCon, the LED screens being demonstrated by Sony and Samsung were a perfect example of all this. They also happened to be the most unique or buzzworthy technology on at the show.<\q>
Issues remain or are thrown up by the new display walls with their higher brightness revealing the need for regarding, for true high framerate, and so on. And the need for audio systems to be designed around the solid display walls.