Ballantyne’s unique screen was created in conjunction with 3D technology leader RealD (NYSE: RLD), featuring specially engineered flake coating for enhanced brightness and producing a 1.6 gain. ‘The Hobbit’ is the first-ever feature film to be both produced and projected in RealD’s High Frame Rate 3D (HFR 3D) at a speed of 48 frames per second (FPS), double the conventional speed of 24 FPS. Ballantyne, known for its large screen production prowess, completed the Guinness World Record-setting IMAX screen earlier this year. At dimensions of 35.7 m x 29.6 m, the world’s largest screen is based at The Panasonic IMAX Theatre at Darling Harbour in Sydney, Australia.
“We are very pleased that Ballantyne was invited to participate as a key cinema technology partner in the exciting international debut of ‘The Hobbit,’ which is expected to help push 2012 to an all-time record-breaking year at the U.S. box office,” stated Ballantyne Strong President and CEO Gary L. Cavey. “Given our tremendous wealth of cinema experience and expertise, cultivated over an 80+ year corporate history, we believe our organization remains uniquely positioned for future success, whether it’s contributing to the development of high frame rate cinema, producing large format screens for leading worldwide exhibitors or providing ground-breaking LED lighting solutions for The World Trade Center.”
