Malaysia’s first cinema LED screen — what’s the big deal?
In June 2018, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) has launched the first ever cinema hall with LED screen. It is currently only available at GSC Mid Valley Megamall’s Hall 11, also known now as the Onyx Hall. I have experienced it at the recent press screening of Ant-Man and the Wasp and it was great. With the technology powered by Samsung Electronics, it actually did feel like I was watching an extremely ultra-high definition video on my Galaxy S9 phone but on big screen instead. Not just that, the surround sound system is fantastic as well and the seats are pretty darn comfortable (while it’s still new maybe).
So what makes it so special and superior compared to ordinary cinema screens? Here’s the fact sheet provided by GSC;
Visual
- Screen Size: 33.8 feet (10.24 meter) wide * 16.4 feet (5.4 meter) high
- The world’s first Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI)-compliant High Dynamic Range (HDR) LED theatre display
- Capable of achieving brightness levels’ of 146fL (foot-lambert), enabling it to capture the most pristine whites and deepest blacks with a nearly infinite contrast ratio
- Improved brilliance produces sharper, more detail-rich presentations, while optimally balancing color accuracy for a range of hues even at peak or near-peak brightness
- Content uniformity allows viewers to experience visual details and intricacies that might be lost or hidden on standard theater screens
- Capable of playing ultra-sharp 4K (4096 * 2160 pixels) resolution content
Audio
- Leveraging HARMAN Professional’s JBL Sculpted Surround technology
- Onyx is powered by 23 speakers throughout the auditorium
- Perfectly tuned audio that expands the aural sweet spot within the theatre
Availability
- Malaysia is among the first 10 countries in the world and the 2nd country in Southeast Asia to have an Onyx Cinema LED screen
- Onyx is presently also available in Switzerland, Austria, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Mexico, and the United States
For just an additional RM1.50, I would say it’s absolutely worth it. Perhaps the only issue I had was how small and narrow the hall is. There aren’t separated rows of seats at the sides for those who prefer a bit of privacy. So there aren’t a lot of seats to offer per showtime. The tickets for highly anticipating movies showing at the Onyx Hall may easily sell out so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance if you wish to experience movies in super sharp visuals and awesome audio.
