Lurdy Cinema Installs Hungary’s First Samsung Onyx LED Screen in Budapest
Traditional projection has exited Auditorium 10 at Budapest’s Lurdy Cinema, replaced by an 11.5-meter-wide direct-view LED screen that emits its own light. The installation, completed in September as part of a venue renovation, introduces Hungary’s first Samsung Onyx LED cinema auditorium in a project involving Samsung, cinema operator Pannonia Movie, Lurdy Ház, and Digital Cinema International, as reported by invidis.com.
The newly unveiled 4K Onyx display measures 11.5 meters (37.7 feet) wide and 5.4 meters (17.7 feet) high. Unlike standard projection systems that beam images onto a distant white surface from the rear of the room, self-emitting LED pixels form the viewing surface itself. According to lurdyhaz.hu, the technology delivers up to 300 nits of peak brightness, roughly six times the approximately 48 nits typical of conventional digital projectors.
Auditorium upgrades feature custom acoustic calibration and seating
The 229-seat screening room received comprehensive updates alongside the new visual hardware. Pannonia Movie upgraded the auditorium with a new Dolby 7.1 surround sound system. Because the solid LED wall prevents traditional behind-the-screen speaker placement, specialists from Samsung and Harman (JBL Professional) custom-calibrated the acoustic setup. Carefully positioned front and surround channels ensure dialogue aligns directly with actors on screen.
Seating within the remodeled space spans three distinct comfort categories. The room features 176 standard ergonomic seats in the central section, 37 motorized leather VIP recliners equipped with wooden side tables and cup holders in the rear rows, and 16 lounge beds.
The DCI-certified screen supports standard cinema formats and 3D presentations. Lurdyhaz.hu noted that the display’s high brightness counteracts the natural light loss caused by 3D glasses, keeping stereoscopic films sharp and vivid.
Traditional projection relies on reflected light, which can cause black levels to appear grey in dark scenes. The Onyx system achieves true deep blacks by allowing individual pixels to switch off completely during dark sequences. The display also maintains consistent brightness and geometry without optical keystone distortion across all viewing angles, including seats situated on the extreme sides of the auditorium.
Expanding Beyond Traditional Film Screenings
The technical capabilities of direct-view LED open up alternative programming options for the Budapest venue. Samsung states that the increased brightness of up to 300 nits allows the operator to host events that require ambient lighting.
Lurdy Cinema intends to utilize the renovated auditorium for live sports broadcasts, e-sports competitions, and corporate presentations.
Partners and specifications of the Budapest cinema screen
What partners completed the Lurdy Cinema renovation?
The installation was completed in September as part of a renovation involving Samsung, cinema operator Pannonia Movie, Lurdy Ház, and Digital Cinema International.
How much brighter is the Samsung Onyx screen compared to standard projectors?
The Onyx display reaches up to 300 nits of peak brightness, which is approximately six times brighter than the standard 48 nits delivered by conventional cinema projectors.
What are the exact dimensions of the new Budapest LED screen?
The Samsung Onyx screen measures 11.5 meters (37.7 feet) wide and 5.4 meters (17.7 feet) high, providing a 4K resolution display inside Auditorium 10.
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