Dolby and Christie to Launch New Dolby Vision Projector

In an effort to expand the global footprint of theaters that offer Dolby Cinema and the combination of Dolby Vision and Atmos, Christie and Dolby have co-developed a new version of Dolby Vision laser projection systems, which will debut next week at CinemaCon and begin rolling out into theaters next month.

Dolby Vision is a premium image format that supports a wide color gamut and 4K resolution. Atmos is the company’s immersive sound format, and Dolby Cinema is the brand for a specific auditorium configuration that offers a combination of Dolby Vision picture and Atmos sound.

The new lighter and smaller Dolby Vision projection system could provide efficiencies as it operates with a single projector for screens up to 58 feet in width (larger screens require a dual-projector configuration). The current line requires two projectors for any size auditorium.

According to Dolby, the new projectors will be available to “all Dolby Cinema and all Dolby Vision + Dolby Atmos partners,” globally, while “some” who are already partners to Dolby intend to adopt the new system. The company declined to discuss specific partnerships, but in the Los Angeles area, Dolby Cinema is currently available at various AMC locations including those in Santa Monica, Century City, Glendale and at The Grove.

“Christie has been central in Dolby’s ongoing mission to deliver Dolby Vision experiences to more cinemas,” says Pascal Sijen, senior director, business & strategic planning for cinema at Dolby. “We look forward to bringing exhibitors this new projection solution that offers the same industry-leading and award-winning image performance, all while making it dramatically more efficient and easier to adopt by exhibitors.”

“We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with Dolby,” says Don Shaw, executive director of cinema for the Americas at Christie. “From a Scientific and Engineering Award from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for the Christie E3LH Dolby Vision cinema projection system to delivering cinematic excellence on screens around the world, this renewed partnership builds on over 10 years of successful collaboration.”