Christie®, the world’s dominant brand in the digital cinema projection market, announced that Wanda Cinema Line, the largest movie theater operator in China, has installed the first Christie Vive Audio™ cinema sound system in its state-of-the-art Hall 9 auditorium at Beijing CBD Wanda Plaza located in downtown Beijing to provide the best possible cinematic experience for its movie-goers.
Christie Vive Audio’s expansive line of cinema-specific audio technologies are compatible with any of the leading immersive and surround cinema audio formats in the current market. In the over 300-seat premium auditorium, which features a huge wall-to-wall screen and plush seating for maximum comfort, the audio system has been configured to meet the requirements of the Dolby® Atmos™ sound technology. With this installation, Wanda Cinema Line has become the first cinema chain in Asia to be equipped with Christie’s cutting-edge surround sound systems.
The innovative Christie Vive Audio, which offers truly rich, dynamic and detailed sound, unlocks the full potential of the DCI digital cinema audio format and supports leading formats such as Auro 11.1, Dolby® Atmos™, 7.1 and 5.1 surround sound. It consists of wall and ceiling surround speakers that use unique ribbon driver technology in a line array design, purpose-built for cinema environments. The installation in Hall 9 auditorium comprises more than 50 Christie Vive Audio speakers of varying combinations, including LA3 screen channel speakers, S215 subwoofers (for full range frequency response), S218 for Low Frequency Effects (subwoofers) channels, LA3S and LA5S for wall surround, as well as LA3C and LA5C for ceiling surrounds.
“Wanda Cinema Line is committed in providing our patrons with the best movie-viewing experience through constant innovation, investing in the finest technologies and equipping our theatres with the most modern facilities,” said Maojun Zeng, general manager, Wanda Cinema Line. “We are passionate about enthralling the audience with the most up-to-date technologies, and that’s why we have selected Dolby Atmos and Christie Vive Audio for their exceptional power and performance which ensure that our patrons experience the magic of immersive cinema sound.”
“Christie is proud and honored that Wanda Cinema Line, our longstanding partner, has chosen Christie Vive Audio to be installed in one of its most luxurious cinema complexes in China,” said Frank Xiao, general manager, Christie China. “This marks the first Christie Vive Audio system installation by a major cinema chain operator in Asia, and is a clear testimony that besides offering advanced visual solutions, Christie has also set the bar in immersive cinema sound.”
The full effects of Dolby Atmos and Christie Vive Audio were unleashed for the first time during the premiere of The Great Hypnotist on April 23, which was the closing film for the 4th Beijing International Film Festival. The thriller-drama-mystery film, directed by Leste Chen and starring Zheng Xu and Karen Mok, kept everyone on the edge of their seats with its engaging storyline and highly realistic sound effects. From the thundering roar of an airplane flying overhead to the delicate hums of insects in flight, the Christie Vive Audio system envelopes audiences with dynamic, detailed and captivating sound.
Besides the immersive aural experience brought about by Christie Vive Audio, the cinema projector in Hall 9 was concurrently upgraded to a Christie 4K digital cinema projector that produces the most brilliant, high resolution visuals. With twice as many pixels in horizontal and vertical directions than 2K, Christie’s True 4K projectors are the best choice for the richest, most stunning cinematic experiences. Coupled with a new high-gain metallic projection screen and steeply-sloped plush cinema seats, patrons can expect nothing but the most comfortable and memorable movie-viewing experience.
“We’re thrilled that the upgraded Hall 9 auditorium has been chosen to screen The Great Hypnotist, which is the closing film for the 4th Beijing International Film Festival, and receive the thumbs-up from Director Leste Chen for an engaging cinematic experience,” said Lin Yu, vice president, Christie Asia Pacific. “This demonstrates the superiority of Christie Vive Audio in delivering speech, effects, music and alternative content which sound more natural and lifelike for an enhanced listening experience that audiences notice.”
