Barco, the global leader in laser projection, and Vue, the number one privately owned cinema operator in Europe, have announced a partnership that will see HDR by Barco technology expand across Europe as part of the cinema chain’s new ‘EPIC by Vue’ branding.
Vue says that 11 ‘EPIC’ screens will open in the U.K., Italy, and the Netherlands by the end of 2025, with 50 more to follow by the end of 2027. The first will be open by the end of July, in Nottingham, U.K.
What is Barco by HDR?
The news follows on from Barco and Vue’s partnership announced earlier in the year to bring laser projection to over 1000 screens.
While that deal focused on replacing older Xenon-lamp-based digital projectors with its Series 4 projectors, HDR by Barco represents the bleeding edge of cinema-based projection technology. It uses Barco’s ‘Lightsteering’ technology, which combines high-brightness lasers with cutting-edge GPU-powered algorithms, to ensure that light inside the projector is focused exactly where it needs to be onscreen, on a frame-by-frame basis.
This allows it to deliver six times the brightness of standard digital cinema, giving it enough headroom to offer enough brightness and an expanded color range (98.5% of Rec. 2020) to deliver true high dynamic range (HDR) images to cinemas for the first time.
The new EPIC by Vue format
Vue’s new EPIC brand means that it can now offer a premium cinema format to compete with its multiplex rivals, which have had leading-edge formats such as IMAX Laser and Dolby Cinema for some time.
In the UK, Vue has lagged in this area, with only the Manchester Printworks, with its combined dual laser and 15/70mm IMAX capability, representing a flagship cinema offering.
As per all other premium large format brands, Vue says that all EPIC theatres will also feature Dolby Atmos audio, though the presence of HDR by Barco means the Vue EPIC should leapfrog them to take the lead in terms of image quality.
“After researching and testing a variety of premium large format options, we decided to create EPIC using the very best market-leading technology available. By combining cutting-edge HDR laser projection by Barco and Dolby Atmos immersive sound, breathtaking colour, expansive screens and studio quality audio, 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.”
While no details were provided on décor plans for the brand , the chain did say that every EPIC by Vue screen will offer the largest screen at the site. As to how much of threat this will be to the likes of IMAX and Dolby Cinema, but it’s good news for the industry that there are more quality options for the public to tempt it to head out ‘to the pictures’ to see the latest film rather than waiting for it arrive on streaming.
Further reading:
Barco Light Steering Uses AI Tech To Brings True HDR To The Big Screen
Vue And Barco Partner To Bring Laser Projection To Over 1000 Screens
Barco HDR Cinema Tech To Reach 30 US Theatres By The End Of 2025
