Europe's First Fully Digital 3D Multiplex Opens in South West Wales
CARMARTHEN, SOUTH WEST WALES - The Apollo Carmarthen Cinema, which opened its six screen picture house on April 30th, has become the first 100 percent digital 3D-ready multiplex in Europe with the help of Harkness Screens Spectral 240 3D screens.
"We have been using Harkness Screens in our cinemas for some time now and we are delighted with its quality and service," says Rob Arthur, managing director for Apollo Cinemas. "As Sony 4K digital projectors are introduced into our cinemas, it is essential that we have a projection surface capable of providing breathtaking images. Harkness' Spectral 240 3D screen allows us to give cinema patrons an enhanced viewing experience never before seen."
With a total of six screens and a seating capacity of 1,000, the Apollo Carmarthen Cinema features luxury stadium seating and the amenities of a top-notch facility.
The Spectral 240, commonly referred to as the "silver screen," is used for 'passive' front projection with 3D systems using polarised light, including the RealD XL, because of its high extinction ratio and the spectacular 3D images it provides. The surface also supports 2D images and can be used successfully in auditoriums where 2D and 3D are both shown. The intrinsically high gain (2.4) overcomes light losses inherent in 3D systems.
"While other cinemas in Europe that are currently "all 3D" only have one screen, the Carmarthen Cinema is the first that can show 3D on all of its multiple Harkness Screens," adds Arthur.
Apollo's Carmarthen multiplex is the ninth of Apollo's 14 U.K. sites to introduce digital projection and follows installations in Redditch, Altrincham and Fareham. Since the company switched to digital, it has transformed 27 percent of its business to 3D.
Among the first blockbusters that will be shown at the cinema will be comic book sequel Iron Man 2 and fantasy remake Clash of the Titans.
About Apollo Cinemas
Preston based Apollo Cinemas Ltd is the UK's largest independent chain and serves over 2.5 million customers each year. It is the UK's 6th largest cinema operator in terms of number of screens, having 83 of them spread across 14 cinemas, with a further 22 screens and 4 cinemas in development. By March 2011, all its screens will be fully equipped with category leading Sony 4K digital projection kit. Apollo opened the first all digital, all 3D multiplex in Carmarthen, South West Wales in April 2010. Further information available at: http://www.apollocinemas.com
About Harkness Screens
Harkness Screens is the world's leading manufacturer of large screens. Thousands of screens are supplied every year for cinema, film production, special effects, live events and custom AV applications. Founded in 1929, Harkness has just celebrated its 80th year in business and has screens in place in over 60 countries. With its corporate office located in the Ireland, other offices and factories are located in UK, France, Beijing and Fredericksburg, VA. Harkness Screens combines unrivalled experience with the latest technology to provide innovative solutions to the company's key markets worldwide. For more information, visit the Harkness Screens web page at www.harkness-screens.com.