Samsung has introduced a new 14-meter (46 feet) standard size for its Onyx (ICD model) cinema LED lineup. Announced at CinemaCon 2026, the expansion targets Premium Large Format (PLF) theaters, aiming to optimize theater space and accommodate the industry’s growing shift toward larger, premium auditorium experiences.
Expanding the Premium Cinema Scale
Building upon its existing 5-meter (16-feet) model for boutique theaters and 10-meter (33-feet) model for standard premium auditoriums, Samsung’s new 14-meter format is engineered to deliver the established picture quality and reliability of the Onyx platform on a significantly larger scale.
A key feature of the new 14-meter model is its flexible scaling support. Exhibitors can expand the screen size up to 20 meters (66 feet) by adding individual LED cabinets to the sides and bottom. This modular capability allows theaters to more than double the total screen area to create seamless, floor-to-ceiling visual configurations without compromising presentation quality.
Technical Specifications and Display Capabilities
The 14-meter Onyx model retains the core capabilities of the broader lineup while introducing optimizations for the expanded size:
- Pixel Pitch: Utilizes a 3mm pixel pitch tailored to maintain sharp and consistent image clarity on the 14-meter screen.
- Resolution & Motion: Supports resolutions up to 4K and refresh rates of 120Hz, ensuring smooth motion for fast-paced content.
- Brightness & HDR: Features Samsung’s HDR technology, capable of reaching a peak brightness of up to 300 nits—approximately six times the brightness of conventional cinema standards.
- Color & Contrast: Delivers 100% color volume at peak brightness. The display’s infinite contrast ratio enables true black levels, preserving detail in dark scenes.
- Aspect Ratios: As the first DCI-certified cinema LED display, the platform natively supports both scope (2.39:1) and flat (1.85:1) formats.
Versatility and Theater Management
Because the Onyx LED screen maintains consistent brightness and image quality regardless of seating position or screen size, it operates effectively without the ambient light restrictions of conventional projection systems. This makes the display suitable for alternative programming alongside traditional theatrical screenings, including:
- Live sports broadcasts
- Concert screenings
- Gaming events
- Corporate presentations
Additionally, the Onyx platform is fully compatible with major industry hardware, including Dolby and GDC media servers, to streamline daily theater management and content delivery for exhibitors.
Growing Global Adoption
The introduction of the 14-meter model follows a steady increase in the global adoption of the Onyx platform. A recent high-profile installation includes the Pathé Dar Essalam in Rabat, Morocco. Developed in collaboration with Pathé’s headquarters, the luxury complex is positioned as a flagship destination akin to the Pathé Palace in Paris.
All four auditoriums at the Rabat location are equipped with the latest Onyx displays, utilizing a mix of 10-meter, 5-meter, and custom 6.4-meter (21 feet) configurations. With a total of 12 Onyx screens across its portfolio, Pathé currently operates the highest volume of Samsung cinema LED screens of any exhibitor in Europe.
Regarding this, Hyoung Jae Kim, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics, said:
People go to premium theaters for something they cannot recreate at home. That raises the bar for every part of the auditorium, starting with the screen. Samsung’s new 14-meter Onyx gives exhibitors a way to bring the premium experience to larger auditoriums, helping turn moviegoing into a destination again.