Megaplex Theatres Launches VIP Experience with Christie Projectors

Christie®, a global leader in visual display technology, is providing the 4K DLP Cinema® projection solution at a new screen at the Megaplex Theatres at Jordan Commons, which debuts March 15 with VIP seating, table service and full reclining chairs as part of Megaplex’s transition to complete digital projection throughout its chain. Megaplex, a leading independent cinema chain in Utah, is converting all of its screens to digital projection, drawing from the Christie Solaria™ Series. The new projectors, including the Christie CP4230 driving the VIP experience at Megaplex Jordan Commons, are being installed by CLACO Equipment and Service.

Specific to Megaplex Theatres at Jordan Commons, Christie’s CP4230 was chosen to deliver massive, crisp resolution of 4096 x 2160 pixels, with 34,000 lumens brightness, to make 3D movies come alive. This is in keeping with Megaplex’s emphasis on providing an industry-leading viewing experience for its guests. It is this commitment that led the chain to evaluate various suppliers for digital projection in 2011, and then chose Christie equipment and CLACO to deliver it.

“We know that moving to digital projection provides our guests with the best image quality, and helps us keep filling the seats for blockbuster titles as studios release them. After looking at the available choices and with the advice of CLACO, we decided that Christie had the best product, both technically and in terms of energy savings, service and support,” said Blake Andersen, senior vice president and general manager of Megaplex Theatres. “These new projectors let us offer more options to our advertisers and partners as well.”

Noted Eric Butterworth, sales manager at CLACO, “Christie was easily our recommended choice for Megaplex. The combination of Christie Digital Cinema projectors, Christie’s excellent customer service and 24-hour tech support, and their Christie Digital Xenolite Lamp (CDXL) technology were just some of the reasons why we went with Christie.

“CDXL lamps give us more options in terms of the brightness delivered on the screen, to achieve best image quality. This flexibility means that I could go with a lower lamp size, and still maintain the necessary brightness that the customer required, which provided greater savings,” said Butterworth. “For example, rather than be forced to run a 6,000 watt lamp in a non-Christie projector, I opted to install a Christie DCP with a 4,500 watt lamp, delivering the same or better brightness, with the attendant cost savings.”

Christie’s warranty and service plus packages provide Megaplex with peace of mind across its theatre chain. These services range from quick access to spare parts, on-site preventative maintenance/emergency service, 24/7/365 remote monitoring and technical phone support from Christie’s Network Operations Center.

Christie solutions installed or to be installed by CLACO at Megaplex Theatres include the CP2220, CP2230, Christie ACT (automation controller) and CP4230, as well as the Gefen Scaler scaling and switching unit.

“When our customers make the transition to digital projection, they’re looking for the terrific image quality and technical capabilities that digital offers,” said Craig Sholder, Christie’s vice president, Entertainment Solutions. “We work with local partners to develop a solution that meets the customer’s unique needs, and provide ongoing service and support, to make the transition smooth and rewarding.”

Megaplex Chain Stands Out Among Independent Exhibitors

The Megaplex Theatre chain (www.megaplextheatres.com) is known for innovative architecture and commitment to the community. The flagship Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons in Sandy, Utah, was built on the former site of Jordan High School and the lobby was designed to look like downtown Salt Lake City in 1870. In 2002, it was North America’s highest grossing theater for the opening weekend of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” Less than a year later, the theater sold over 120,000 tickets for “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” making this location the top-grossing movie theater in the world for this film.

With six multi-screen complexes in Utah, Megaplex Theatres was founded in 1999 by the former owner of the Utah Jazz, Larry H. Miller, and is now operated by his son Greg Miller, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. Two of the locations share screens with nearby museums where museum content is viewed during the day and Megaplex offers first-run movies in the evenings. Many locations offer reserved seating, lots of additional food options and D-box (moveable) seating.

About CLACO

CLACO represents all major manufacturers of motion picture theater equipment and is a specialist in new installations, upgrades and maintenance of both projection booths and auditoriums. Founded in 1980 and based in Salt Lake City, UT, it has grown to service almost all of the Western United States, offering a full line of cinema supplies and parts both new and used. Visit www.clacoequipment.com.

About Christie

Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. is a global visual technologies company and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ushio, Inc., Japan, (JP:6925). Consistently setting the standards by being the first to market some of the world’s most advanced projectors and complete system displays, Christie is recognized as one of the most innovative visual technology companies in the world. From retail displays to Hollywood, mission critical command centers to classrooms and training simulators, Christie display solutions and projectors capture the attention of audiences around the world with dynamic and stunning images. Visit www.christiedigital.com for more information.