8 reasons to switch to LED cinema screens

Whether you own a commercial cinema or are fortunate enough to enjoy a high-end one at home, you know the factors contributing to a satisfying viewing experience. Contrast, color accuracy, screen size and audio quality are key to achieving the sensory immersion we’ve come to expect from modern movies.

Until now, theater owners have commonly relied on digital projectors to present films. It’s a proven technology that offers numerous advantages over the mechanical, celluloid projection it supplanted. However, technological advances mean a new generation of screens, with a new batch of benefits, for commercial cinemas and the homes of some film fans. Samsung Onyx, the world’s first cinema LED display, is the prime example and offers ample reasons to step into the LED future. Now, Onyx is taking things a step further for an out-of-this-world movie theater experience with Samsung Onyx DCI LED Cinema, certified by Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI), which can fill an entire wall for the most immersive presentation yet.

The LED difference

For theater owners, the benefits of an LED cinema screen over standard digital projection are significant and numerous. Here are the leading reasons for making the change.

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1. Dynamic contrast of dark and light

Because an LED screen produces its own light, it avoids the contrast impairments caused by a digital projector, which beams light onto a screen from a distance. This allows the LED screen to achieve a much higher peak brightness, five times brighter than the brightest digital projector, while at the same time ensuring dark areas of the screen remain unlit. This makes the contrast between dark and light elements on an LED screen much more pronounced and dynamic.

2. Vibrant and authentic color

An LED screen’s extraordinary brightness capability impacts the color palette, too. The additional brightness means the LED’s colors appear much more vibrant and varied in tone. And thanks to the Onyx DCI Cinema’s compatibility with cutting-edge high dynamic range (HDR) technology, the color-fidelity upgrade is even more evident. This also makes the colors truer to what the filmmaker originally intended, giving a more authentic vision.

3. Uniform imagery

Because no projection is involved, an LED display produces images that are completely and reliably uniform, no matter where they appear on the screen. That’s a significant advantage over projector technology, which can introduce optical distortions no matter how carefully installed and calibrated the hardware might be. This ensures that what you see from side to side and top to bottom comes through with equal verve and clarity.

4. Easy operation and maintenance

LED screens like Samsung Onyx are easy to operate and maintain. This means the home theater or commercial theater owner considering an upgrade can expect minimal maintenance costs and a consistently high-quality viewing experience. To make a persuasive case even more compelling, Onyx DCI Cinema enjoys seamless integration with GDC Technology Limited and Dolby’s Integrated Media Block servers, so smooth content management is guaranteed. DCI compliance, meanwhile, ensures the consistent, high technical performance necessary for certification.

5. Flexible scaling

Theaters vary in size and shape. Fortunately, almost any cinema or home theater space can accommodate an Onyx DCI Cinema. This is thanks to Onyx DCI Cinema’s modular design. The display is available in 10 meters (33 feet) and features additional flexible scaling options, too. It will eventually expand to include other standard screen sizes. The display can cover an entire wall, from floor to ceiling, without reducing image quality. The LED natively supports both scope (2.39:1) and flat (1.85:1) formats, ensuring that films are displayed as intended, without additional adjustments.

6. 3D capability

Onyx is compatible with 3D, the most immersive of all cinema formats. Because of this, there’s no trade-off in brightness or color fidelity when shifting from 2D to 3D. Onyx seamlessly pairs with appropriate glasses to deliver sharp, flicker-free and staggeringly deep 3D images. Active 3D imagery elevates the viewing experience by adding greater depth and clarity. Text appears crisper, and images seem to pop off the screen.

7. Compatibility with sound systems

When creating an immersive cinema experience, sound is just as important as sight. Onyx DCI Cinema provides both, thanks to its compatibility with Meyer Sound, QSC, Dolby Atmos, Harman JBL and custom-designed sound systems. In fact, Onyx is sound agnostic, allowing users to pair it with any compatible sound system to best suit their needs. This gives theater owners immense flexibility in designing and augmenting their systems. Onyx also features front surround sound technology, creating a 3D soundstage that engages viewers wherever they sit in the theater.

8. Long-term security and ROI

Another major feature of Onyx is the five-year standard parts only warranty with the option to pay for a maximum of 10 years, setting a new benchmark for reliability and reflecting the quality of hardware, built for long-term performance. Along with the lower power consumption of LED compared to the typical RGB laser projector — 3.7KW vs 4.2KW, respectively — this coverage helps reduce the total cost of ownership and future-proof the investment. Additionally, with their superior image quality, LED screens create a premium viewing experience that justifies higher ticket prices. Theaters can introduce a small surcharge for premium showings, which can lead to a strong revenue lift over time. LED displays can also help reduce long-term maintenance and operational expenses, making them not only a high-impact upgrade for audiences but a cost-effective one for theater owners.

Seeing is believing

The advantages of Samsung Onyx DCI Cinema are as clear as the images on the screen. No matter the size of the theater, advanced cinema displays can create a profoundly immersive audio-visual experience that’s more enjoyable and convincing than ever before. It’s time to step into the future of cinema.

As the world’s first cinema LED display, Onyx takes you beyond the ordinary by delivering a cinematic experience unlike anything before. Discover how the latest cinema LED technology, Samsung Onyx DCI LED Cinema Screen, can transform your theater experience and attract audiences.