Digital cinema leader Barco launched its 6P laser-illuminated projector at CinemaCon 2014, which will soon find its way to cinemas across the globe. In China, three of the country’s leading cinema chains will be pioneers in installing Barco's advanced laser projectors, including Guangzhou JinYi Media Corporation (JinYi), Sichuan Pacific Cinema and Henan Oscar. In addition, many other local cinemas are also looking forward to Barco’s laser projectors. They believe that this new technology will deliver enhanced image quality and help them take their cinema offering to the next level.
JinYi will adopt laser projectors in the cinema hall with a 35-meter giant screen at its brand-new Mudu Jinyi cinema in Suzhou firstly. This will be the world’s largest screen in commercial theaters, powered by a dual laser projector system. As one of the top five cinema franchises in China, JinYi operates around 1,100 screens across 180 theaters. The cinema exhibitor has relied on Barco technology ever since it took its first steps towards digitization.
“As we’re always looking for new ways to offer our audience a more immersive experience, Barco’s laser projectors were a logical next step,” says Jacky Lee, General Manager of Project Command Center at JinYi. “To project ultra-bright images onto our new giant 35-meter screen, we’d normally need four DP4K-32B projectors. Instead, dual laser projector will do the job even much better.”
Higher image quality to better experience the magic
The Barco laser projector is the first of its type capable of showing 4K content at 60 fps and 3D movies in 4K resolution at such high brightness levels. In this way, it truly meets the needs of cinema exhibitors, who are always looking for more light output. Showing stunningly bright and uniform images with crisp detail and exceptionally rich colors, the Barco laser radically improves the 3D and general cinema experiences. The higher brightness and heightened image quality of Barco laser projectors will deliver unprecedented visual effects, especially for 3D.
A giant leap forward
These benefits have not only convinced JinYi, but also the Sichuan Pacific Cinema group and Henan Oscar Film Group to order a Barco laser projector. By mid-2014, Pacific Cinema will install one unit at its Chengdu Eying 1958 cinema - a unique building that combines cinema theaters with a cinema museum, thus testifying to the group’s passion for the world of cinema.
“Pacific Cinema is committed to world-leading digital projection technology and Barco has always been a trusted partner. After all, Barco combines great services with market-leading technology. Today, again, their laser projector is proof of its continuous efforts to raise the bar," explains Mr. Wang Chunliang, General Manager at Sichuan Pacific Cinema.
Mr. Qiu Yijun, Assistant to the General Manager at Henan Oscar Film Group, agrees: “This is a giant leap forward in cinema technology, which will help us offer our customers a truly immersive cinema experience.” As a leading cinema chain in Henan Province, Henan Oscar manages 425 screens across 81 cinemas nationwide. Following the development of high-end cinema, Henan Oscar has decided to install two units of Barco laser projectors in theaters in Urumqi and Wuxi by 2014 to bring a premium visual experience to the audience.
60+ percent market share
By the end of 2013, Barco has an installed base of over 10,000 digital cinema projectors, representing a market share of over 60 percent, in Mainland China. This makes Barco the market leader for high-quality digital cinema projection. Barco acknowledges that its broad portfolio and servicing efforts together with the trust of its customers fosters the company’s success in the region. “The first orders for our 6P laser-illuminated projectors confirm that faith,” says Mr. Phil Chen, General Manager of CFG-Barco. “We are delighted that we will soon be able to impress Chinese moviegoers with the exceptional brightness that laser technology brings, thus helping our customers retain an edge in the exciting, yet competitive world of cinema.”
Barco’s laser projector is an important part of the company's CinemaBarco, which magically brings every part of the theater to life, delivering visually spectacular and immersive entertainment before, during and after the show to create a one-of-a-kind moviegoing experience.
About GuangZhou JinYi Media Corporation
Established in 2004, GuangZhou JinYi Media Corporation (‘Jinyi’), is a famous enterprise dedicated to cinema distribution and film exhibition. Its subsidiary Jinyi Cinema is one of the top five cinema franchises in China. By the end of March 2014, Jinyi will manage 1,100 screens across 180 cinemas with total 165,641 seats.
About Sichuan Pacific Cinema Ltd.
Sichuan Pacific Cinema Ltd. is the largest state-owned cinema company in the Midwest China with several cinemas with box office ranking forefront, including Wangfujing Cinema, Zijing Cinem, Chengdu Eying 1958 Cinema, Chengdu Pacific Cinema and Chongqing China Cinema, etc. Its box office ranked the ninth in 2012 in China. As of February 2014, it has 546 screens across 92 cinemas.
About Henan Oscar Film Group
Henan Culture Media Group Co., Ltd. is a large-scale group company in Henan Province China specializing in film production, publishing, screening, theater construction, sales of film equipment, production film advertising, etc. It has a number of affiliates including Henan Oscar cinema line Co., Ltd. and Oscar International Cinema. The Oscar cinema line holds a dominant position in Henan film market and has robust presence in Beijing, Shanxi, Xijiang, Hainan, Hebei, Yunnan, Shanxi, Ningxia, Jiangsu, Hubei, etc. Now the cinema line has 81 cinemas with 425 screens, gradually forming an all-around business network across China.
