Our news, Our views
IN THIS ISSUE
mne
2
Meet the team: Omnex is expanding — check out our new UK coverage
8
Buying laser? We’ve got answers to a few of the major questions
10
Live events: Whether it’s e-sports or a director’s live Q&A, we can help sort it
March 2019
The future’s bright… …and it’s probably laser-illuminated THOUGH SCEPTICISM is rife about laser
Laser may be a fairly recent cinema
illumination, here at Omnex we only see
technology, but it is not a new technology
the opportunities that it presents for
— and, significantly, in cinemas the goal is
cinema. Whilst the retiring VPF model
not just improved image quality, but
comes ever closer, so too do questions
operational, financial and environmental
reduces,
of projector warranties, spare parts and
improvement too. Longevity, performance
affordability of replacement projectors.
and efficiency are the focus of this new
so laser
On the plus side, cinema technology costs
wave of projectors, and that is great news.
As xenon projector pricing
have reduced, and advancement of such
We are proud to have played a part in
technologies has increased. So are you
recent RGB laser installations — the results
continues
getting cost-effective machines, or, in
are certainly impressive — and feedback
to improve
other words, more bang for your buck?
from new-builds and upgrades indicates
The xenon versus laser illumination
that “Layzer!” is a technology that we are
on-screen
debate will play a key part in this. We’re
increasingly asked to quote for, suggesting
certainly increasingly optimistic — from a
it’s a realistic option for many. Technologies
quality
cinema owners’ perspective — about the
always present options; we expand further
range of options that are now available.
on this with a brief guide and FAQ on p8.
technology
www.omnex.co.uk
mne
hello@omnex.co.uk
Q2, 2019
1
our team
What’s new…? Omnex Pro Film has supplied, serviced and installed projection technologies in cinemas since 1986. With a history of working with major multiplexes and a penchant for independent cinemas “up north”, we’re now taking a fresh look at how our business is primed to support cinemas throughout the UK and Ireland. So... what’s new? After Omnex was acquired by MPS in May, first up was to relocate the Stockport office to London. Our engineering team has now doubled to six and Omnex has the support of a further six engineers in MPS — national
32 years supporting cinemas, and primed for a strong future coverage has never been so good. From training for engineers, access to a wider range of technologies and carefully considered stock levels for emergencies, we’re working hard on our goal — to support exhibitors in making cinema the ultimate place to experience film. With thanks to the loyalty of those who work with Omnex — some since it started — we are looking forward to the future of ‘an Omnex Cinema’. In these pages, you’ll get a feel for the projects we handle — and if you haven’t yet met the team, read all about them here! Simon Tandy MD, Omnex
2 Q2, 2019
www.omnex.co.uk
mne
info@omnex.co.uk
PETE NAPLES: based in Dunfermline, Pete is a human encyclopaedia on projection technology. A cinema engineer for 21 years, he is our Trinnov audio specialist. First great film in the cinema? Return of the Jedi
NICK HALL, based in Leigh, Nick is our specialist in MX4D installations, having commissioned a number of theatres Europe-wide. An audio purist, Nick plays drums in a band. First great film in the cinema? Battlestar Galactica
TONY EVERETT-SPEARING: Based in Bungay, Tony is an experienced Omnex engineer and considered our expert wireman — he creates order out of chaos in any installation. First great film in the cinema? ET
STEVE CASE: Based in Crawley, Steve is our technology designer. A projectionist at 16, he forged a letter from his mum granting her permission for him to play 18 films… First great film in the cinema? Life of Brian (under age)
GAVIN LEWARNE: Based in Plymouth, land of the cream tea and beautiful independent cinemas, Gavin has 10 years’ technical experience, from 35mm to Series 3 digital. First great film in the cinema? The Matrix
KRIS BELL: Based in Worthing, Kris has held technical theatre and cinema roles for over 10 years. Based in the south-east, he also calibrates MPS’s ATMOS QC theatres. First great film in the cinema? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
JAN HURSTFIELD: Based in Stockport, Jan is our service co-ordinator — the voice at the end of the phone who ensures engineers get to your cinemas. A big Man City fan. Movie of choice? Toy Story (all of them)
www.omnex.co.uk
mne
info@omnex.co.uk
Q2, 2019
3
our team
Omnex and MPS: where the two fit together ON ARGUABLY THE most auspicious
has a huge amount of experience that
date in the cinema calendar, Star Wars
chimes with Omnex. Whether that is
Day (May the 4th), Omnex was acquired
specifying and installing technology for
by London-based MPS (Motion Pictures
one-off performances at the Royal
Solutions). To many in the world of
Albert Hall or installing film studio
exhibition, MPS is all about its “yellow
screening rooms and facilities, on the
hard-drive boxes, LANsat and KDMs”.
distribution side of the industry, MPS has
What many may not appreciate is the
acquired a strong reputation for its
wider story behind MPS today: the
specialist capabilities which we are now
company operates a fully equipped
replicating in Omnex. MPS engineers
technical services, specialist engineering,
provide their expert support at major
digital content mastering, localisation
film festivals around the world — visitors
and distribution facility that handles
to Barcelona in June might see them
films for release globally. For MPS,
behind the scenes at CineEurope.
content security and a high level of
A natural fit for Omnex then, but
support are second-nature. The group
having both our own team and the MPS
employs more than 130 staff across a
engineering team working on projects
range of disciplines and was one of the
together, sharing knowledge, supporting
first UK facilities to gain membership of
each other at a range of different venues
the newly created and Studio-approved,
and interacting with a huge variety of
Trusted Partner Network.
cinema technology allows us collectively
Given its roots, MPS is a solid cultural
to be more resourceful, knowledgable
fit for Omnex too. Established in 2005 as
and better prepared to handle our
a provider of specialist engineering and
customers’ needs. With a new home in
technical support to distributors for pre-
the MPS fold, Omnex has a great partner
release screenings and premières, MPS
with which to build a strong future.
4 Q2, 2019
www.omnex.co.uk
mne
info@omnex.co.uk
Access to all the know-how and the resources that MPS has on hand is invaluable to us at Omnex
And the Oscar for logistics support goes to… THERE MAY NOT YET be an Academy Award for Best Performance in a Warehousing Role, but one of the key benefits Omnex enjoys as part of the MPS group is access to considerable expertise in this area. Annually, MPS delivers more than 80,000 hard drives to cinemas worldwide, so routing our spares and equipment via the MPS network was a natural step for us. Courier logistics head John Linger and duplication and dispatch manager Kris Preen (pictured) have been superb in accommodating our needs, bringing their knowledge of cinema-specific fulfilment to bear. These are the guys that get things from A to B on time!
We only offer one service level — the very best
mne
AT OMNEX, WE’RE always looking to raise our standards and one
www.omnex.co .uk
of the ways in which we are trying to do that currently is by revising and simplifying the service agreements we have with our customers. We’ve simplified them quite a lot, in fact, so much so that we now only offer one type for all that’s based on one aim. This is how we sum it up: “Omnex is able to provide technical support for all DCI cinema Serv
technologies. Our aim is to service your cinema to achieve the best
ic
e Agr The eem Pictu ent re Ho Prep use, ared Uckfi Febr eld uary 2019 , Stric
tly Co
nfide
possible presentation. We want to maintain your cinema to the optimal ntial
mne
condition to ensure your customers can enjoy the movie as it was meant to be seen.” It really is that simple.
Our technology survey: getting to know you better CONTINUING OUR efforts to
importantly, will focus our training
support cinemas, in the coming
in a tailored way to the systems we
weeks our team is undertaking a
support. Captured during regular
review of the technologies in the
maintenance servicing, this info
locations we support. Our goal is to
will be invaluable in staying on
catalogue the range of equipment
screen in the future.
we are called on to maintain. Why
If you want to know more
do this? Having a clear idea of this
about the benefits of this work,
information will help us ensure we
then please drop us an email at
have the correct spares supply and,
info@omnex.co.uk
www.omnex.co.uk
mne
info@omnex.co.uk
Q2, 2019
5
exhibition news
Purpose-built sound for the classical cinema auditorium? WHEN IT COMES TO AUDIO, there are a number
channels and we have used them in a variety of bi-
of choices. Omnex is proud to be the UK leader in
amp and tri-amp installations for improved audio
sales, installation and support for Trinnov Ovation
calibration. Its loudspeaker management system is
cinema sound processors. Of particular interest to
capable of intelligent digital crossover alignment
cinemas with lively sounding auditoriums, one of
as well as proprietary automatic room equalisation.
the key benefits we take advantge of is the accurate
What does that mean? The best audio in a range of
time alignment of all speaker channels. The Trinnov
auditoria, including cinemas whose architecture
Ovation processor can be configured for 24 output
pre-dates modern sound design. It’s clever stuff.
Europe’s first DPS boothless lift installed… OMNEX RECENTLY COMMISSIONED its first boothless cinema installation in the Barco laserequipped screen at the new Ashford Picturehouse venue that opened its doors last December. Over the past 12 months, Omnex has worked directly with DPS Lifts in the US to bring its boothless solution to the market. The system outweighs others on a range of criteria — notably safety and security — and we are pleased to have the exclusive EMEA licence to sell and install them. This was our first true boothless installation, in the sense that the projector is in a readily accessible lift mounted to the auditorium wall and acoustically sealed. From a technical perspective, the projector doesn’t need to be realigned after accessing it — the lift is sufficiently accurate and is suited to projectors up to 330kgs. The units are appropriate for both new builds and retro-fit installations.
6 Q2, 2019
www.omnex.co.uk
mne
info@omnex.co.uk
RGB laser and Christie Vive for the Glasgow Film Theatre TO BRING THE LATEST immersive
what really blew me away is the quality
cinema experience to one of Scotland’s
of the audio. For anyone who has an
premier film venues, Omnex recently
interest in seeing just what can be
installed Christie’s Vive audio system
achieved, give yourself a short busman’s
and the latest RGB laser and xenon
holiday and head on up to Glasgow to
technology into Screens 1 and 2 of the
watch a film.”
Glasgow Film Theatre. Notably, in the
In February, our team all
394-seat Screen 1, sound and picture
attended training at Christie’s
have improved dramatically thanks to
head office in Woking, a blend
the installation of 7.1 audio and RGB
of
laser projection.
hands-on experience with all
classroom
science
and
“I’ve been on site to see what our
of their latest Series 2 and 3
team has achieved in the GFT,” says our
projection technology. A key
MD Simon Tandy, “and to have Omnex
point we took away from the
responsible for design and installation
day was the level of R&D input
of both the 7.1 Vive audio and RGB pure
that the major manufacturers
laser projection is something we are
across the industry are putting
justifiably proud of. The images on
into making the experience
screen are as good as you would expect
better, whilst maintaining an
from such a high-end projector, but
awareness of market pricing.
…and lifts for multi-use venues, too NOT EVERY CINEMA is a multiplex venue with a full projection room and space for 70mm too. Omnex is lucky enough to work with a range of smaller venues, including community centres, civic halls and multi-use venues such as the Watermark cinema, part of an entertainment complex in Ivybridge, Devon, where we recently supplied a scissor lift to deliver an accessible setup for their Barco 6E projector. When planning lift installations, we talk at an early stage with architects and designers to determine the most appropriate solution, whether that is a pod, a boothless lift or a scissor lift.
www.omnex.co.uk
mne
info@omnex.co.uk
Q2, 2019
7
buying laser
Thinking of laser? Read on At a time when everything about laser projection is focused on opportunity, improvements and innovations, it can be difficult to find the basic answers that make the subject simpler. Hopefully this might help… 1. What does laser mean? What are the benefits
cinema, but as RGB pricing reduces, the decision
that manufacturers are aiming for?
will ultimately come down to the degree of contrast
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of
and dynamic range each type can achieve.
Radiation sounds very complicated, but at a component level lasers are robust, solid-state
3. So why do RGB and phosphor laser illumination
devices that have much longer lifetimes, operate on
platforms share a place in the market?
less power, and generate less heat when compared
Feedback from many exhibitors to manufacturers
to xenon lamps of a similar brightness class. This has led display manufacturers to invest in the development of an increasing range of laser-illuminated projectors that take advantage of longer life, higher brightness, and improved performance. 2. Are there pros and cons between laser phosphor and RGB projectors? Laser phosphor projectors use blue lasers as the illumination source. Blue light from these lasers is directed to a yellow phosphor element which, when excited with the blue lasers, emits green and yellow light. By filtering the yellow light, you get red. By mixing all three colours with the phosphor element you achieve white; and... hey-presto — you
is that the industry is looking for lower
Laser isn’t
cost, longer life, lower maintenance and
here to
much to ask for. Laser illumination has
confuse
higher performance projectors — not the potential to satisfy these demands, but pretending laser technology is all
the world
new is wrong — it’s simply relatively new
of cinema.
phosphor laser has had a home in
in
the
cinema
market.
Historically
It’s here
corporate and education markets — it
to offer
of DCI constraints, the demand for a
benefits to viewers as well as operators
achieve DCI-P3 specification.
offers an economic advantage since, free wide colour gamut and high contrast are less stringent than in cinemas. In cinema, thanks to the DCI,the industry requirements are rightly more demanding in terms of colour, contrast, and brightness — performance areas which are served well by RGB laser. As RGB laser projectors become more
In contrast, an RGB laser projector uses banks
widely installed in cinemas, their cost disadvantage
of laser diodes in individual colour primaries, ie red,
will likely be less of an issue, paving the way for
green, and blue (as the name suggests!). These
this high-performing platform to become more
emitting banks of lasers are then colour-mixed to
widespread in cinema applications.
produce a near-infinite amount of colour. When faced with the decision over which type
4. If both RGB and phosphor laser are feasible for
to buy, it may be worth understanding this in more
cinema, which is best for me?
detail — phosphor cetainly has a place in today’s
In terms of providing the best visual presentation
8 Q2, 2019
www.omnex.co.uk
mne
info@omnex.co.uk
possible, RGB laser is right up there, but due to its
operators looking to invest in this technology.
long operational life and lower cost, laser phosphor also has a place in cinema, particularly where initial
6. What about speckle?
outlay and ease of maintenance are considerations.
Speckle is a phenomenon intrinsic to laser light
Unlike RGB laser, laser phosphor projectors
sources, where back-scattered light forms random
utilise phosphor wheels and laser diodes which
interference patterns of dark and bright areas on
degrade over their lifespan, therefore specifiying
screen which can seriously mask picture details
the correct machine that maintains the correct
and reduce image quality. It’s also particularly
brightness levels throughout its life is important.
annoying if you’re one of those audience members
You can offset this — an exhibitor could specify a
that picks up on it. On laser phosphor projectors,
high-brightness laser phosphor projector and run it
the issue is not relevant as green and red speckle
in low-power mode, extending its usable life
can be blocked by the phosphor wheel. RGB
Although phosphor requires more frequent
laser manufacturers however are developing
servicing, it is still an affordable choice, but when
technologies that reduce the effect.
talking specifically about brightness, RGB laser
These include increasing the number
projectors have an illumination lifetime that stays
of wavelengths used. Additionally,
within DCI specification.
screen vibrators can mitigate the effect and these can often be an
5. Across the manufacturers, Christie in particular
appropriate solution.
is placing more value on RGB laser than other 7. Will laser ever make financial
technologies — why is that? In the case of Christie, the manufacturer believes
sense in my cinema?
that each innovation introduced must provide a
The answer has to be yes as this is
clear benefit to the market. Xenon has been the
true of many cinema technologies
workhorse in cinemas for decades and that is likely
as they develop. Manufacturers
to stay the case for some time yet, however Christie
definitely have in mind widespread
takes the view that laser phosphor systems don’t
deployment in the cinema market.
sufficiently address the limitations of lamp-based
Taking the knowledge they have gained
projection. Other manufacturers, notably NEC and
from building the earliest generations of laser
Barco, continue to offer laser phosphor models
systems, the latest generation laser projectors use
within their ranges, pointing to their superior
efficient direct-coupled lasers with self-contained
qualities over lamp-based systems.
liquid cooling systems. Laser projectors were
Recently Christie has stated that it sees RGB
initially costly due to cooling requirements — the
laser as the natural progression that will achieve
external chillers needed added expense and
improved brightness, colour and contrast that
hampered installations due to their bulk. Replacing
meets the demands of exhibitors and studios. Until
externall chillers with self-contained systems brings
now, cost has been the major barrier to entry for
savings that can be passed on to the buyer.
mainstream cinema, so investment in the research and development of next-generation RGB laser
8. And what about LED screens?
projectors aims to bring the price down to a more
Funny you should ask.... Perhaps we should discuss
accessible level — and that’s good news for cinema
it over a beer?
www.omnex.co.uk
mne
info@omnex.co.uk
Q2, 2019
9
distribution news
Omnex rocks out with live and dynamic subtitling at Wembley LAST OCTOBER, the Omnex team joined forces with MPS’s premiere engineering and specialist subtitling teams to deliver what was a technical first for cinema — a simultaneously translated satellite broadcast of the red carpet world premiere of 20th Century Fox’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Broadcast live from Wembley Arena to more than 130 sites in eight markets, our involvement helped to deliver a technically demanding event with territory-specific content. “On the night, we had interpreters, subtitle operators and language conversion software in place that allowed us to subtitle on-the-fly from English audio into foreign languages,” explains Simon Tandy, adding that “current subtitled live events are scripted performances, but on this occasion we were truly at the mercy of live speech — moderating when the
A true first for cinemas, live events in a range of languages give a local feel to this content
stars became a little too excited about the film [ie sweary…]. Distributors and exhibitors that operate multi-territory cinemas should see this capability as a real benefit — they now have a more meaningful multi-national reach with events of this kind.” Aside from engineering support, Omnex supplied an uplink truck to the broadcast studio, the satellite backhaul and managed the uplink as well as the connections between network providers such as Gofilex, Éclair and Opensky.
Live from the BFI… TO GIVE A FLAVOUR of the type of live events that Omnex gets involved in, last August we helped capture, produce, mix, broadcast and remotely manage the director’s Q&A screening of the highly acclaimed “BlackKKlansman” at the BFI. Working for Universal International Pictures and screening in front of the recent Oscar-winning director, Spike Lee, Omnex and our partner Sassy Film choreographed the transmission of the live Q&A hosted on stage after the film and broadcast it live to cinemas around the UK.
10 Q2, 2019
www.omnex.co.uk
mne
info@omnex.co.uk
Want to know about live events then? AS A ONE-STOP shop for content owners, Omnex supports distribution of live events across multiple satellite platforms. We work with production teams for filming, staging, kitting out and lighting venues — and can access satellite trucks, engineers and satellite space providers to help events reach audiences internationally. Central to our service is distribution of all pre-show information necessary to run a successful event. That information extends to an event’s tuning parameters, technical guides and, thanks to our connection with MPS, we can liaise with
events, we have managed provision of
Omnex
support functions for MPS’s proprietary technologies as well as for third-parties’.
has the
Increasingly, cinema is the focus for
skills to
“entertainment events”. Whether it’s the
take your
the latest tentpole or a major e-sports
buzz around the opening weekend for
live events
championship, cinema has to offer a
to the big
as the ultimate screen experience.
point of difference to justify its position Omnex is well-positioned to support
screen
distributors and cinema operators alike
and
in bringing such special events to
beyond
media channels such as YouTube and
fruition, including delivery to social
the LANsat support team. For recent
Facebook and moderated Twitter feeds.
Perfecting presentation GETTING IT RIGHT on screen is what our engineers do, and one recent project we were involved in illustrates what that can mean. For the recent release of “The Kid Who Would Be King”, special screenings for local schoolchildren were hosted at selected regional cinemas. Our engineer Nick Hall explains what this demanded: “For this project, our client needed the film to be perfect on screen, so it was a case of super-refining what the cinemas already have. Perfecting presentation like this means taking things to the Nth degree, handling microadjustments — and even adding in a touch of showmanship.”
www.omnex.co.uk
mne
info@omnex.co.uk
Q2, 2019
11
UKCA Branch Meetings We will be at the UKCA’s upcoming branch meetings starting next month on 9 April, Bristol Showcase Cinema de Lux; 30 April, The Picture House, Uckfield; 2 May, Everyman, Glasgow; 8 May, Leicester Showcase Cinema de Lux. See you there.
Think inside the box.
1-4 April, Cinemacon Omnex will be heading out to Las Vegas this spring to get the lowdown on the latest tech on display at Cinemacon — we aim to give some feedback in our next newsletter.
17-20 June, CineEurope The 28th Edition of CineEurope promises to bring another year with the best in studio screenings and presentations, technologies and innovations. Keep an eye out for the team if you’re in Barcelona this summer!
Design Cinema Differently. The new DPS boothless cinema solution from Omnex.
+44 (0)161 477 7633
office@omnex.co.uk
omnex.co.uk
mne