Next-Gen Dolby Vision Laser Projector to Expand Reach of Premium Cinemas

Dolby has teamed up with the high-end projector manufacturer Christie Digital Systems to develop a next-generation Dolby Vision laser projector, which will begin rolling out into theaters in the coming weeks. Christie has been around since 1929 and has broken many technology barriers along the way, including the launch of digital cinema projection, which revolutionized the movie industry. (Based in California, Christie is now owned by Japan’s Ushio, Inc.) This new 4K Dolby Vision projection system offers more than twice the brightness of typical cinema presentations, according to Dolby, with a contrast ratio “well exceeding a million-to-one.” The results include “the brightest whites, darkest blacks, and the finest details in between,” according to the company. The new projector also reportedly delivers saturated and real-life colors using RGB pure laser illumination to enable Dolby’s Wide Color Gamut 1.0 — which is nearly twice the color gamut of Rec. 709, and 122% of DCI-P3-capable projectors, according to Dolby.

Dolby Cinema, which includes Dolby Vision projection, has been my favorite way to experience movies in theaters since its launch just over a decade ago. While projectors cannot match cinema LED screens with true HDR light output, the new Dolby projector does deliver Extended Dynamic Range (EDR), which is one of the hallmarks of Dolby Vision. (Samsung recently introduced next-gen Onyx cinema LED screens, up to 65 feet wide, enabling cinemas to showcase movies in 4K/120fps. More on these in a separate article.) Beyond its impressive performance, the most exciting thing about this new projector is its potential to significantly expand the footprint of premium cinemas, thanks to “substantially enhanced reliability and efficiency.” Dolby says that the new laser projection system delivers superior long-term performance and ease of operation, combined with a lighter-weight design and smaller chassis than previous Dolby Vision cinema projectors. These attributes should make the next-gen projector easier to integrate into a range of premium theaters, extending the reach of Dolby Vision to more audiences. 

Where I live in Los Angeles, there are Dolby Cinema screens nearby, but only a handful. In other parts of the world, they are less common. That will begin to change, thanks in part to this new projector. In addition to being deployed in new Dolby Cinema theaters (which include Dolby-specified seating, lighting, and decor), the new projector will be used in the recently-announced Dolby Vision + Dolby Atmos solution, which combines the key advantages of Dolby Cinema in a less exclusive package. In the USA, full Dolby Cinema screens are exclusive to AMC Theaters. (See our article Dolby to Expand Dolby Vision Footprint In Theaters Worldwide.)

Christie has been central in Dolby’s ongoing mission to deliver Dolby Vision experiences to more cinemas. We look forward to bringing exhibitors this new projection solution that offers the same industry-leading and award-winning image performance, all while making it dramatically more efficient and easier to adopt by exhibitors.

— Pascal Sijen, Dolby’s Sr. Director, Business & Strategic Planning, Cinema

We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with Dolby. From a Scientific and Engineering Award from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for the Christie E3LH Dolby Vision Cinema Projection System to delivering cinematic excellence on screens around the world, this renewed partnership builds on over 10 years of successful collaboration.

— Dr. Don Shaw, Christie’s Executive Director of Cinema, Americas

Meanwhile, Dolby and AMC announced a significant expansion of their Dolby Cinema partnership. AMC and Dolby will add an additional 40 “Dolby Cinema at AMC” locations in the United States between now and the end of 2027. Expected to begin this year, this endeavor will represent a nearly 25% increase of Dolby Cinema auditoriums here in the US, bringing the total number to over 200. In addition to the new locations, AMC has also chosen Dolby Vision as its official HDR offering nationwide. According to Dolby, premium moviegoing represents a significant and growing share of the total box office. Dolby and IMAX are the two biggest names in the premium cinema space. According to Dolby, 2024 marked Dolby Cinema’s strongest year in history at the box office, surpassing the company’s record-setting 2023 gross. One of Dolby’s key advantages is its strong content pipeline, with over 725 theatrical features released (or confirmed to be released) in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, as of 2025. According to Dolby, 49 of the top 50 titles of the past five years were shown in Dolby Cinema.

Premium moviegoing is defining the modern box office. In expanding our longstanding partnership with AMC, we look forward to providing even more audiences with access to the most immersive film experiences that you can only get at Dolby Cinema.

— Kevin Yeaman, President and CEO, Dolby Laboratories

“For a decade, AMC and Dolby have provided moviegoers with incredible premium experiences — making the biggest blockbusters even bigger, brighter, louder, and more immersive. The expansion of this partnership is a powerful demonstration of AMC’s ongoing commitment to deliver this premium experience — sought out by filmmakers, studio partners, and our guests — to even more of our theaters and AMC moviegoers around the United States.”

— Adam Aron, Chairman and CEO of AMC Entertainment

Farther afield, Dolby will bring Dolby Cinema to India later this year. City Pride in Pune, Allu Cineplex in Hyderabad, LA Cinema in Trichy, AMB Cinemas in Bengaluru, EVM Cinemas in Kochi, and G Cineplex in Ulikkal will be the first six exhibitors to open Dolby Cinema screens in India, according to Dolby. With a huge population of movie-goers, India represents a massive potential market. Dolby says that one crucial step in bringing Dolby Cinema to India has been ensuring that filmmakers there have access to world-class post-production facilities. To that end, Dolby recently collaborated with Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad to set up India’s first Dolby Vision color-grading facility for cinema. There are already 24 Dolby Atmos theatrical mix facilities in India.

The launch of Dolby Cinema in India is a pivotal moment for the country’s entertainment sector. Indian audiences are passionate about movies, and Dolby Cinema is the ultimate moviegoing experience. Since the opening of the first Dolby Cinema in 2014, Dolby Cinema has grown rapidly, encompassing 35 exhibitor partners and 14 countries. This announcement underscores our commitment to advancing cinematic storytelling, working closely with filmmakers, studios, and exhibitors to deliver extraordinary entertainment experiences.

— Michael Archer, Vice President of Worldwide Cinema Sales and Partner Management, Dolby Laboratories

Thanks to the new smaller, lighter Dolby Vision laser projector, there seems to be no end in sight for Dolby’s takeover of premium cinemas. At the end of last year, China’s Emperor Cinemas became the first exhibitor in China to adopt Dolby’s new combined solution of Dolby Vision + Dolby Atmos, starting with its new site in Taikoo Li Sanlitun, one of Beijing’s top commercial districts.

More information: Dolby