QSC Develops Cinemec XL 3D Cinema

There's been a further development at the CineMec complex in Holland - already a state-of-the-art Cineplex which doubles as a conference centre.
Housed in a contemporary building with striking architecture, the award-winning enterprise, owned by Gerben Kuipers, is located in Ede, just 50 minutes from Amsterdam.
This summer the operation opened a new 3D CineMec XL - the largest 3D screen in Holland - with 20,000 watts (RMS) of purpose-designed QSC cinema surround sound helping to build the atmosphere.
The auditorium can host over 1,000 visitors and some seats can be lifted to the ceiling to convert the cinema into a multi-purpose hall for concerts, congresses or similar events.
Dutch-based specialists FTT Filmtronics B.V. (FTT) based their audio specification around a matched system from QSC Audio, using no fewer than 44 loudspeakers.
This includes a combination of their SR-46 4 x 6.5in two-way surround spealers, SB-7218 dual 18in subwoofer, SC-444 four-way (4 x 15in) screen channel speakers.
These are powered by ten QSC DCA2422 and four QSC DCA1222 two-channel digital cinema amplifiers, controlled through an advanced DCM30 processor.
This device provides signal processing and monitor functions in a single integrated system, optimising loudspeaker performance and covering cinema systems ranging from three to five screen channels, 5.1 and 7.1 systems. DCMs are also compatible with all cinema processor formats including Dolby Digital Surround-EX and DTS-ES.
Thomas Ruettgers, General Manager of FTT's head office Film Ton Technik in Germany, said: "There are quite a number of special features that have to be taken into account when implementing such an extraordinary project. QSC products are perfectly designed to meet all these special requirements - that is why we decided to install their audio systems at CineMec in Ede."
Danny Pickett, Key Accounts Manager QSC Audio Products, stated that it had been a pleasure to work with FTT to satisfy the client's unique needs. He said: "Working in this exciting space has really paid off for all involved - especially the audiences attending shows there."
With a seating capacity for 1,050 people, 160m2 (20m x 8.10m) of silver screen and two Christie digital projectors, CineMec XL has immediately established itself as the leading digital 3D cinema in Holland.
Having also been the first company in Holland to go digital (back in 2003), CineMec today has no less than eight modern digital theatres.
It is also proving to be an important venue for hosting key conferences for national corporations - offering facilities ranging from live satellite transmissions in high definition format on the big screen to infinite digital sound and image potential for audio-visual presentations. In fact, part of the ICTA (International Cinema Technology Association) seminar took place there in June.
CineMec XL kicked off this summer with a specially-constructed 3D programme - including 'U2 3D' to coincide with the band's concert in Amsterdam Arena on July 20-21. It is using its new 3D system with passive 3D glasses (each eye served by its own projector, each equipped with a circular polarisation system). This means that both the left and the right eye receive only the images provided by its respective projector.
The demand for 3D films in Holland is increasing rapidly they say, and spread over a seven-week period, CineMec registered 3836 visitors to the film Bolt in 2D as opposed to 5168 to the 3D version of the same film. This developing worldwide trend was confirmed during this year's International Cannes Film Festival, when the latest 3D animation film Up from Pixar opened the festival to positive press reviews.
Further information is available at: www.qscaudio.com.
(KMcA/BMcC)