Christie® and D3D Cinema are pleased to announce that the world’s first museum-based 4K 3D giant screen 6P laser projection system will be installed and premiering at Moody Gardens MG3D Cinema in Q4 2014. The system design and configuration will further distinguish the Moody Gardens MG3D Theater as one of the world’s most premier cinema venues.
“This is the game-changing milestone that the museum giant screen industry has longed to achieve for many years,” said Don Kempf, president and founder of D3D Cinema. “Moody Gardens’ audiences will be the first in the world to have a 6P giant screen laser experience, unarguably the future of cinema presentation. The DCI and DIGSS-compliant Christie laser solution, coupled with 6P glasses technology, will be unparalleled in terms of image quality. D3D has always been committed to designing first-rate giant screen solutions that are built on a more economically viable business model. It’s a great thrill to be able to achieve this goal AND be first to market with such a premium solution.”
John Zendt, CEO of Moody Gardens agrees. “D3D Cinema has proven time and again that they can deliver the goods first, better and more efficiently. We thoroughly researched all known laser options and the D3D/Christie solution beats the competition across the board – including, significantly, the price. We’ll own this laser system outright, which is important to us, saving significant operating dollars over the life of the laser modules. We’re really proud to have our theater represented as a pioneer in digital cinema and invite all museum executives to visit for a demonstration.”
The upgrade will replace Moody Gardens’ existing 4K xenon system with a state-of-the-art pair of Christie 4K laser projection heads, a 6P modular laser light farm with fiber optic delivery, Christie 4K 3D high-bitrate server, new giant screen 6P laser glasses, and a new premium white screen. “Our 6P laser design is a huge step forward for the industry,” said Don Shaw, senior director, Entertainment Solutions, Christie. “This particular system is designed to achieve up to 14-foot lamberts onscreen in 3D, far exceeding any ‘ultra-bright’ industry standards. Our non-flashing 6P architecture is by far the most light-efficient 3D technology on the market, providing incredible brightness, enhanced color gamut and a remarkable contrast ratio. On a speckle-free premium white screen, Moody Gardens will deliver a peerless cinematic presentation to their audience. It’s a real feather in our cap to have Moody Gardens as a flagship theater.”
This latest collaboration between D3D and Moody Gardens builds on a longstanding partnership. In January 2011, D3D and Moody co-hosted the first annual Digital Cinema Symposium, showcasing 4K projection technology on a giant screen for the first time, including the first 4K vs. 70mm split screen shootout. The following year, at the 2012 Digital Cinema Symposium, D3D showcased the first 4K 3D demonstration, 11.1 3D audio, high frame rate 3D as well as a prototype laser on a giant screen, all industry firsts. The 2012 event was a milestone, marking the first time that industry professionals overwhelmingly acknowledged a digital presentation exceeded the quality of a 70mm film in a side-by-side comparison. A case study was recently published by D3D & Moody Gardens illustrating the financial benefits and qualitative success of digital presentation and rebranding.
Moody Gardens’ marks the first giant screen laser deal of many for D3D and Christie. “Lasers raise the bar,” adds Kempf. “After Moody Gardens, our first laser dome system is around the corner, which will save our dome clients hundreds of thousands in operating costs per year. The giant screen industry is about to look quite a bit brighter!”
About Moody Gardens
As a premier family destination, Moody Gardens has a variety of exciting attractions from an aquarium to a tropical rainforest. Moody Gardens also has 3D, 4D and Ridefilm theaters as well as a golf course, white sand beach with lazy river and tower slides, historic paddlewheel boat and the Moody Gardens Hotel. www.moodygardens.com
