To a theater near you: How cinema screens could soon become giant LED screens thanks to a plethora of Chinese companies looking for new markets
- Chinese companies are driving the adoption of LEDs in cinemas worldwide
- Challenge established technology giants like Samsung and LG
- LED screens are promising worldwide: only 0.5% penetration so far
Entirely international companies such as Samsung and LG currently dominate the LED cinema screen market, which appears to be changing as Chinese companies, buoyed by domestic success, drive global adoption of LED cinema technology.
A recent report from TrendForce claims that LED cinema screens are gaining popularity in China, driven by supportive government policies.
Leading companies such as China Film Global Technology Limited (CFGDC), HUAXIA LEYARD, QSTECH, Unilumin and LOPU are actively promoting LED cinema solutions at home and abroad, including North America, Europe, Japan and South Korea.
Plenty of room for growth
TrendForce notes that China Film Group Corporation (CFGC) recently announced that a cinema in Dinkelsbühl, Germany, has purchased ten of its CINITY projection systems, creating a fully LED-based cinema experience. LEYARD has installed LED screens in more than 20 international cinemas, including locations in France, the US and Spain.
Earlier in 2024, Rio-tech and Timewaying introduced HeyLED screens measuring 10 meters wide and 5.5 meters high in a cinema in Romania.
These screens, which eliminate the need for traditional projectors, have gained popularity in Europe, America and the Middle East. Meanwhile, LOPU’s transparent LED cinema screens are also attracting interest from international investors and at CinemaCon in April 2024, Cineappo showcased its VLED products, showing strong interest from global cinema operators.
We’ve previously written about Unilumin, which created a massive exhibition at the Xinjiekou International Cinema in Nanjing Deji Plaza, China. The 20.48 meter wide and 10.8 meter high screen serves as an alternative to IMAX and uses the UCine LED film projection system. Unilumin has also installed screens at the Regency Theater in Los Angeles and the San Ya Cinema in Hainan Province.
TrendForce projects, global LED installations will reach 160 units this year. With market penetration of just 0.5% for LED cinema screens to date, there is significant room for growth, and Chinese companies are apparently eager to take advantage of these opportunities.