Sony promotes the new generation of 4K digital cinema in Europe

Sony's new SRX-R320 projection model, LMT-300 Media Block and room management and control system offer European exhibitors unprecedented flexibility.

Sony has just presented in Europe a new 4K digital cinema projection system based on its proven technology, which incorporates improvements in performance and functionality. Sony's new system features the SRX-R320 4K SXRD projector and the LMT-300 Media Block. It includes features and design elements similar to its predecessor, the SRX-R220, but is approximately half the size and weight, giving exhibitors more installation options.

Oliver Pasch, Head of Digital Cinema at Sony Professional commented that “3D production has experienced unstoppable growth since we introduced our first cinema projection system 3 years ago and Sony continually optimizes the technology in order to respond to the constantly evolving needs of European exhibitors.”

Pasch highlights that "this new version continues that tradition and highlights why European exhibitors of all sizes choose Sony 4K technology. With extremely high resolution and operational versatility, this new system is ideal for creating an immersive digital cinema experience, whether in 2D or 3D, on any screen."

The new system offers the three levels of image structure specified by DCI for 2D and 3D projection, including level 3, 4096 x 2160 pixels, established for the use of SXRD technology, which offers a contrast ratio of more than 2000:1, as required for cinema projection. It is designed to be compatible with the same lamps and lenses used for the R220 system, widely accepted across Europe after Romania's Hollywood Multiplex Operations (HMO) became the first European cinema to adopt a 4K 3D digital solution.

DCI normalization

The SRX-R320 system complies with FIPS 140-2 requirements and its chassis design allows the LMT-300 server to be seamlessly integrated into the projector body, offering a high level of security that meets the SPB-2 anti-tamper standard stipulated by the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI). The projector also produces images that meet DCI requirements for parameters such as color fidelity, white point and contrast.

There is a range of six motorized lenses with memory function, for both zoom and focus, and you can choose 4.2 kW, 3.0 kW and 2.0 kW Xenon projector lamps from different manufacturers, providing screen coverage of up to 20 meters wide, with an SMPTE standard brightness level of 14 ft-L. By using an optional anamorphic lens (LKRL-A001), screen coverage can be extended up to 21.4 meters.

Using Sony's Dual 3D Lens Adapter, the SRX-R320 projector is capable of delivering 3D images on screens up to 15 meters (constant height / screen with side mask) wide with a brightness of 4.5 ft-L.

The SRX-R320 lenses have the ability to reproduce resolutions higher than 4K, which is necessary to project 4K content at the exact 4K resolution. Additionally, these lenses are designed to minimize chromatic aberrations.

Management and control

The new system also offers optional STM-100 theater management and control software, which allows employees to efficiently manage multiple theaters from a central computer connected to the theater's LAN. TMS technology is capable of offering effective centralized management to cinemas and is also ready to retrofit existing installations with the SRX-R220/LMT-200 systems.

The SRX-R320 4K projector and LMT-300 Media Block are now available in the European market and have been installed in several cinemas, including CinemaxX AG in Germany and Apollo Cinemas in the United Kingdom. The latter includes three fully digital complexes incorporating STM-100 TMS software and storage solutions from Sony.