We recap some of our products, projects, and awards from 2024 and ahead to seven trends for 2025
It’s hard to believe that 2024 has ended, but before it’s a distant memory, let’s recap some of the products, projects, and awards that made it so memorable.
Then we’ll look at seven top AV technology trends for 2025.
Looking back at 2024
Technology designed to deliver a big impact
From projectors to processing, we introduced new technology for ProAV and Cinema in 2024.
Laser cinema projectors for all screen sizes
At CinemaCon 2024 We added to our cinema projector lineup with the launch of our new CineLife+™ RBe projectors with Phazer™ illumination technology. These new projectors, the CP2406-RBe, CP2409-RBe, and the CP2411-RBe, are designed for improved image performance on small, high-gain screens.
Featuring Christie’s new CineLife+2K™ electronics platform, projector set-up is quick and easy with auto-configuration features, motorized lens mount, and integrated proprietary electronic color convergence (ECC) for perfect lateral color alignment. Compatibility with Mystique Cinema™ ensures the projector is perfectly aligned 24/7, 365 days a year, without requiring a maintenance visit.
Hit the right notes with Jazz Series projectors
We launched four(!) new Jazz Series 1DLP laser projectors this year.
Our newest series features Texas Instruments’ 0.8” HEP (High Efficiency Pixel) DMD for improved color and contrast and a more efficient cooling system design. This results in a more compact chassis — the projectors weigh just 65lbs (30kg)!
The new models range in brightness from 17,700 to 21,350 lumens and are compatible with a full suite of projector lenses.
And the best part? Premium performance without the premium price tag.
Performance meets value with Core Series III
2024 wasn’t all about projection – we also introduced a new LED video wall solution. Our Core Series III video walls offer enhanced performance, reliability, improved value, and lower power consumption. This results in a video wall that is up to 40% more energy efficient and 30% lighter than its predecessor, Core Series II. With a direct mount system, it’s easier to handle and install.
Pandoras Box turned 20!
Our suite of content management and show control technology, Pandoras Box®, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024!
We introduced enhancements to the 2D Warper feature that’s integrated with Workspaces in Pandoras Box Software. Users can visualize their stage set-up in 2D, with all layers and pixel parameters, and warp content without switching content views. This allows for more intuitive navigation and faster workflow.
A new benchmark for image processing, compositing, and gateway technology
In December, we launched Spyder-S and Mastering Gateway at LDI.
With five models, Spyder-S Series expands our award-winning Spyder platform with capabilities that redefine real-time multi-screen windowing and processing. Supporting HD, 4K, and 8K resolutions at ultra-low latency, Spyder-S ensures synchronized, picture-perfect quality for critical applications such as live events, sports venues, and broadcast.
Mastering Gateway delivers the industry’s most advanced tools for distributing uncompressed HD, 4K, and 8K video, audio, and metadata over IP networks, all with zero frames of latency. This solution is built for live events, post-production, and VFX workflows, ensuring unparalleled connectivity and performance.
And the winner is…
…Mike Perkins and our talented team for their work on the Christie E3LH Dolby® Vision Cinema Projection System, which won an Academy Award®!
The Christie E3LH Dolby Vision Cinema Projection System is the first projector to bring both high dynamic range (HDR) and wide color gamut (WCG) technologies to the viewing audience. The system can be used as a single projector head or dual projector head configuration with a patented relay lens that enables 3D stereoscopic presentations with full brightness and simultaneous imaging to both eyes for an improved viewing experience.
Mike accepted the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Award in Scientific and Engineering from the Academy on February 23.
While an Academy Award certainly gave us a great reason to celebrate, it wasn’t the only award winner in 2024. Our M 4K15 RGB pure laser projector won a Projector Central Best of Show Award at InfoComm 2024, and it won a rAVe Best of ISE Award for the best new large venue projector.
Our 4K860-iS Inspire Series projector also made an impression, winning a Top New Technologies Award from Commercial Integrator and a rAVe Best of Best of ISE Award for the best new system projector.
Experience is everything
Our technology creates exceptional experiences, and last year, we brought some of those experiences to trade shows around the world.
One of our most popular experiences was our immersive room, which was demonstrated at shows including ISE and InfoComm International. We worked with our partners Augmenta and Théoriz to create a dedicated interactive and immersive space on our booth with content projected onto the walls and floor. Visitors interacted with water ripples, black and white fabric, and fiery particles. In fact, this experience was so eye-catching that Systems Contractor News named our booth one of five that stood out at InfoComm.
At InfoComm Asia, we brought a similar concept to our booth in partnership with Hexogon Vietnam. A two-sided immersive room featured interactive projection mapping on the walls and floor, and we used Pandoras Box® Software for content management. The result? An immersive CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment) that engaged guests of all ages with dynamic content.
Around the world, our partners use our technology to create breathtaking projection mapping experiences, and we wanted to bring that same experience to the trade show floor, albeit on a smaller scale. We worked with Limelight to bring “Cathedral of Thieves", a stunning piece of wood art by Gabriel Schama Studios, to life by highlighting its fine architectural details with a rainbow of colors. Event Marketer named this exhibit one of its top showstopping displays from InfoComm 2024.
At InfoComm China, we demonstrated projection mapping on a slightly larger scale. We used our M 4K25 RGB pure laser projectors to map a custom-built Ectosphere with astronomy-inspired content.
We love cinema so much that we rounded up some of the most experienced professionals in cinema, post-production, and Hollywood associations and brought them together for our first CineSparks Webinar Series, which is geared toward the next generation of talent and techs in cinema. Our goal? To offer free learning through experts in the field for those starting their careers or looking to transition into different roles. You can watch the series here.
Looking ahead to 2025
Top Cinema and ProAV tech tech trends for 2025
While we can’t predict what the future holds for the AV industry, we have a pretty good sense of some of the trends we’ll see in 2025. We spoke to team members across the company for their insights, and here’s what they had to say:
1. More short throw projection and more immersive spaces
“One projection trend we've seen is an increase in immersive spaces for both retail and entertainment purposes. This is largely due to a wider availability of short throw and ultra short throw projectors and other projectors for small spaces. These smaller, lighter projectors can turn small rooms into interactive immersive spaces, without sacrificing brightness or performance..
Experience our immersive room at ISE 2024
Interactivity, which is often used in immersive spaces, has also had a resurgence, leading other markets, like museums, to use this technology to achieve more with their projectors.” – Joel St-Denis, director of product management.
2. Continued growth in PLF and smaller cinemas
“In 2025, we’ll see continued growth in the Premium Large Format (PLF) segment of the cinema market, especially with the adoption of HDR-related technologies. On the other side of the market, we also see smaller, boutique theatres growing in popularity.” – Chris Shu, director of marketing, Cinema.
3. Increasing adoption of AV-over-IP technology
“The key trend I’ve observed is the increasing adoption of AV-over-IP for video distribution in AV projects, replacing traditional matrix switchers. This shift is primarily driven by the scalability and flexibility of AV-over-IP systems, their simpler installation process (eliminating the need for dedicated AV cabling), greater reliability of the products, and the growing experience of system integrators with this technology.” – Bill Zhu, director of product management.
4. Smaller cinemas transition to laser projection
“Smaller cinemas are starting to make the leap to laser projection. The combination of more affordable cinema projectors, lower operation costs, and benefits for the environment are making the switch more appealing.” – Bryan Weil, senior account manager, Professional Services.
5. Love for LED video walls
“The use of LED video walls has been growing rapidly, especially in large-scale applications like digital signage, corporate environments, control rooms, and entertainment/theme parks. LED products offer 100,000 hours of average life expectancy, which means that even in a 24/7 environment, the life expectancy is over 10 years.
Given that LED is evolving rapidly and older products are being discontinued quickly, it's crucial to offer extended warranty coverage. This ensures end users can maximize the return on their investment and keep their video wall operational for approximately 10 years.” – Maz Zaeefijou, director of sales and business development, Professional Services.
6. Performance over price in LED
“The demand for LED displays is strong and continues to grow. The market is maturing, and now there is an understanding of the importance of performance, where price was previously the primary driver in selecting an LED video wall. Customers are also looking at the entire video pipeline, from source to display, and how it can deliver the premium performance required in their applications.
The market is also moving towards an understanding of the complexity of some video wall projects. These projects require a partner who will provide education on the LED video wall system and collaborate to select and install the right technology. There are many applications where the performance of most LED products is ‘good enough,’ and price will be a major consideration. But when the needs are more specialized, a commoditized product will not be the best solution.” – Mike Bernhardt, director of product management.
7. Sustainable solutions
“Sustainability. Whether that's power efficiency, backward compatibility, the longevity of an investment, or your carbon footprint, customers will become more environmentally conscious because it's marketable, government incentivized, and saves on operational costs.” – Chris Shu, director of marketing, Cinema.
And that’s a wrap! We’re excited to jump into 2025, and we have some great events, projects, and products planned for the year that we can’t wait to share with you.
