The cinema experience of the future became available to the Hungarian audience in September. The Samsung Onyx LED cinema, which uses projector-free technology and was born as a result of the cooperation between Pannonia Movie Kft., Lurdy Ház, Digital Cinema International and Samsung, sets a new standard in the domestic market not only in terms of amazing visuals and sound, but also in terms of premium comfort.
In addition to its traditional cinema halls, the completely rebuilt hall 10 of Lurdy Cinema is based on a revolutionary visual solution. In the first Onyx LED hall in Central and Eastern Europe, the cinema experience is provided by an 11.5-meter-wide, 4K resolution Samsung display, which is capable of independent light emission, instead of light projected onto the screen. Thanks to this technology and the innovative panel design, the system adapts to various film formats: both widescreen 2:40:1 (Scope) and more traditional 1:85:1 (Flat) aspect ratio works are presented to the audience in outstanding quality without compromises or disturbing image distortions.
Lurdy Cinema Joins an International Elite Club
With the latest development of Lurdy House, Hungary is also being put on the world map of premium cinema experiences. Samsung Onyx technology is currently defining the future of cinema in the world’s finest, luxury cinema complexes – such as the iconic Pathé Palace in Paris, Pathé Dar Essalam built in the luxury district of Morocco, or GTC Trilith Cinemas located in one of the centers of American film production – and now it will also be available to viewers in Budapest.
Brightness and True Black That Brings the Screen to Life
Samsung’s DCI-certified technology creates a world of images that was previously unattainable with previous technologies. With no light leakage, the display is capable of delivering perfect, true-to-life blacks, while built-in HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology delivers up to 300 nits of peak brightness – approximately six times brighter than the 48 nits of conventional projectors. This exceptional contrast ratio ensures that even the darkest scenes retain their detail, texture and depth, with fine details clearly visible. Combined with a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, even the most fast-paced action scenes are rendered with razor-sharp clarity and blur-free detail on the LED wall, even in the dark.
Unlike traditional projectors, where image quality can deteriorate with age and light source wear, the Samsung Onyx is equipped with a special Auto Calibration Solution. This system continuously ensures consistent color from module to module, even after maintenance, so the cinematic experience remains as impressive as it was in the early days, years later.
“People choose cinemas to have an experience that they cannot have at home. That is why we are very pleased that in addition to our home solutions, we can offer a unique solution in the domestic cinema culture with Samsung’s new 11.5-meter wide and 5.4-meter high Onyx LED display,” said Zsófia Samu, Head of Communications at Samsung Electronics.
Special Film Selection in the New Room
A technological leap of this caliber demands grandiose creations, and public screenings in the Samsung Onyx hall are now available to cinemagoers. Lurdy Cinema awaits viewers with unique films in the new hall, specifically built on stunning visuals and top-quality sound.
Among the first films to be shown is James Cameron’s cinematic milestone, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” whose spectacularly restored 4K 3D version brings the battle of the cyborgs to life more than ever before. In addition to the legendary sci-fi action film, the re-release of “Avengers: Endgame 3D” can also be seen in the hall, and the rest of the year will see the most anticipated films, such as “Avengers: The Rise of Doctor Doom: and the monumental third part of Dune.
For the first time, the Queen Budapest 4K concert film will bring music fans a goosebumps-inducing experience on October 7th and 10th : the legendary Hungarian performance, thanks to the excellent image quality and the acoustics of the hall, creates an impression as if the audience were standing in front of the stage in 1986. On October 25th and 31st, fans will be able to watch the live broadcast of the K-Pop world star BTS’s concert in Buenos Aires and São Paulo. The audience can find out about further screenings and the current program on the official Lurdy Cinema platforms.
The high brightness of Samsung Onyx technology allows the room to provide a perfect picture not only in the dark, but also in partial lighting. This also paves the way for future alternative uses in Lurdy Cinema, such as live sports broadcasts, large-scale e-sports tournaments, exclusive dinner cinema experiences, or organizing corporate presentations, for which appropriate cinema technology was not available until now.
Reimagined Space and Luxurious Comfort
Perfect acoustics are essential for the unparalleled visuals, which is why the hall has been equipped with a Dolby 7.1 surround sound system specifically optimized for the LED wall. However, the transformation also extended to the auditorium: the interior of the hall, which can accommodate 229 people, has been completely renovated. In addition to the 176 regular seats, the first row has 16 reclining lounge beds, while those seeking maximum luxury can enjoy 37 VIP armchairs, the backrests and footrests of which are electrically adjustable.
Practical Information for Purchasing Tickets
The regular ticket price of 3,380 HUF for regular seats in the Samsung Onyx LED hall is valid at Lurdy Cinema (3D glasses can be purchased separately). Tickets for VIP seats offering a premium experience are priced at 5,380 HUF, which includes the use of exclusive, motorized chairs as well as a cinema buffet menu. No further discounts can be redeemed for the VIP category. More information about the exact screening times and the detailed program can be found on the official Lurdy Cinema websites.
Pannonia Movie Kft.
Pannonia Movie Kft., as the operator of the Pannonia Cinemas cinema network, is a key player in the Hungarian cinema and entertainment market. The 32-screen network operating in five Budapest cinemas reaches nearly 110 thousand visitors per month, while offering more than 7,100 screenings to the public. With its commitment to premium cinema experiences, innovative program offerings and quality content, the company makes exclusive event screenings, cultural programs and special film content available to Hungarian viewers in addition to traditional premiere films. Building on its more than three decades of professional experience, Pannonia Cinemas is continuously developing its services so that the social experience of cinema remains attractive to new generations.
Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics inspires the world and shapes the future with innovative ideas and technologies. The company is reimagining TVs, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances, networking systems, memories, LSI systems, semiconductors and LED solutions. Samsung also develops medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while producing groundbreaking automotive products and audio devices through Harman. The company delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience through the SmartThings ecosystem, open collaborations with partners and artificial intelligence (AI) integrated into its product portfolio.