Vue, the largest privately owned cinema operator in Europe, is set to roll out ‘HDR by Barco’ – a cinema projection technology that utilises ‘Lightsteering technology’, a patented technology designed to enable true HDR for cinema, to deliver high dynamic range (HDR) images via a Barco Series 4 LS4K laser projector – across Europe, as part of the cinema provider’s new premium large-format experience, ‘EPIC by Vue’.
The agreement will see a minimum of 11 EPIC screens opened in the UK, Italy, and the Netherlands in 2025, and an additional minimum of 50 EPIC screens opened across the rest of Vue’s European estate by the end of 2027. The first EPIC by Vue screen will open to the public at the end of July at Vue’s newly launched site in Nottingham, England. Vue previously announced the installation of more than 1,000 Barco Series 4 laser projectors and media servers across its screens by the end of 2029.
HDR by Barco delivers what the manufacturer calls “premium, high-dynamic range (HDR) presentation” for cinema, offering up to six times higher peak luminance to deliver a more immersive, captivating viewing experience with “breathtaking” images, deeper darks, brighter highlights and an expanded range of colours onscreen.
Tim Richards CBE, CEO and founder of Vue, said: “After researching and testing a variety of premium large format options, we decided to create EPIC using the very best market-leading technology available. Using cutting-edge HDR laser projection by Barco we will bring the very latest technology to our biggest screens across Europe and give our customers the opportunity to enjoy a cinematic experience like no other.”
Gerwin Damberg, EVP of Barco Cinema, added: “We are delighted to expand our partnership with Vue and bring HDR by Barco to moviegoers across Europe. Like Vue, Barco is committed to delivering spectacular cinema experiences to all audiences. Together, we are transforming the theatrical landscape with exceptional, cutting-edge movie presentation.”
