SHOWBIZ CINEMAS BALLARAT INSTALLS CHRISTIE PROJECTION

Showbiz Cinemas in Ballarat has chosen the Christie CP2208-LP 3DLP laser phosphor cinema projectors to be deployed in all auditoriums to deliver the latest Hollywood blockbusters and alternative content for movie-goers in the regional Australian town.

Located in the new Delacombe Town Centre complex in Ballarat, Victoria, the contemporary 530-seat cinema complex comprises six screens and features luxury seats, surround sound and wall-to-wall screens, with the largest screen in Cinema 1 hall measuring 10 metres wide. With this installation, Showbiz Cinemas Ballarat has become the first cinema in Australia to be entirely fitted with Christie CP2208-LP cinema projectors, which provide high reliability and lower maintenance costs for theatre owners. The cinema has commenced commercial screenings on August 31.

“Being a regional Cinema, it is important for us to choose a system that would have no need for lamp replacements, and reduce the costs and time associated with maintenance, consumables and downtime of lamp-based projectors,” said Chris Jones, Director, Showbiz Cinemas. “With the added bonus of reduced power usage that the CP2208-LP has over other digital cinema projectors, our systems integrator MGS Group pointed us in Christie’s direction and helped us see the clear advantages that the CP2208-LP would have in a regional environment.”

Delivering up to 11,000 native lumens of brightness for screens up to 35ft, the 3D-capable Christie CP2208-LP is virtually maintenance free with no lamps to change, offers a low total cost of operation, and a low carbon footprint for theatre owners. It is available as a complete system with the optional Christie IMB-S2 integrated media block and also works with other, popular Series-2 IMBs. It delivers superior content flexibility as its counterparts in Christie’s cinema portfolio with its ability to display DCI content, alternative content, 3D content and even content produced for display at high frame rates​.

Besides Showbiz Cinemas Ballarat, independent exhibitor Sun Theatre has also installed two CP2208-LP cinema projectors at its Metro site in Yarraville, Victoria. Known for its rich heritage, the iconic theatre now boasts 700 seats in eight exquisitely-furnished boutique cinemas featuring club seating with leather upholstery, a coffee table shared between all seats in each group, and ample legroom. The cinema, whose projection equipment is also installed and supported by MGS Group, has been using Christie cinema projectors for decades.

Michael Bosworth, General Manager, Christie Australia, said, “We’re delighted that independent exhibitors such as Showbiz Cinemas Ballarat and Sun Theatre have placed their trust in our CP2208-LP cinema projector, which marks a new  level of digital projection. It is capable of illuminating screens in DCI compliant colour, supports various alternative content sources through dual HDMI-over-DVI ports, and delivers images on the screen that are bright and engaging. The CP2208-LP can display a full range of content, from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to locally produced content from all over the world.”

Lin Yu, Vice President, Christie Asia Pacific, added, “The CP2208-LP is the clear choice for independent exhibitors, local art houses in remote locations where accessibility can be difficult for lamp maintenance. We are very pleased that Showbiz Cinemas Ballarat has embraced this high-value and DCI-compliant digital cinema projector.”

Christie: www.christiedigital.com