Titanic Belfast, a world-leading visitor attraction, has used Panasonic projectors to convey the emotional impact of the human tragedy within the Titanic story, through the creation of a new, absorbing immersive space that places visitors at the heart of the liner’s ill-fated maiden voyage. More than 12 years on from the opening of the iconic building, the attraction has refreshed the Titanic Experience for returning visitors and continues to draw crowds from around the world.
Working with integrator, DJ Willrich Ltd, Titanic Belfast now uses more than 30 Panasonic PT-MZ16K, PT-MZ780 and PT-VMZ71 LCD projectors to deliver the Titanic Experience, a stimulating re-creation of what it might have been like to be a passenger travelling on the liner. The self-guided tour is the most authentic way to discover the sights, sounds, and stories of the ship, as well as the people and city that made RMS Titanic.
“Unfortunately, we can’t change the tragic ending of the Titanic story, but we wanted it to be even more impactful for our guests,” explained Judith Owens MBE, CEO of Titanic Belfast. “That’s where we looked to technology to help us. We felt that the best way to do that was through immersive technology.”
The Panasonic projectors, equipped with Ultra Short Throw (UST) and Short Throw lenses, provide the optimal balance of high brightness and vivid colour picture quality for the Titanic Experience, alongside “market-leading reliability”, with up to 20,000 hours of maintenance-free operation offered.
Critical to the success of the experience is the quiet operation of Panasonic’s LCD laser projectors, so as not to disturb the visitor experience. The Panasonic UST lenses enable the projectors to be easily positioned in any space, even close to walls, delivering “stunning visuals”, without fear of visitors casting shadows.
“We have built a steel staircase in this incredible new gallery, The Ship of Dreams, where the guests can follow the journey whilst being completely immersed in original images,” continued Judith Owens MBE. “The key to the success of the installation is that the guests never see the technology. They just feel that they are part of the story and that’s incredibly important for us.”
The Panasonic projectors use in the Titanic Experience has already helped Titanic Belfast to win the “Outstanding Achievement – Visitor Experience Re-envisioned: Limited Budget” accolade at the 2023 Themed Entertainment Association Awards, and is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Northern Ireland.