LED enjoys lockdown outing at drive-in cinemas
German LED display specialist Innlights has completed two full-service installations for drive-in cinemas during the pandemic, as the medium enjoys a socially distanced revival.
German LED display company Innlights Displaysolutions has gone from supplying large LED displays for trade fairs and events to providing large-format LED video walls for drive-in events during the pandemic. The company has supplied two events in late April where visitors could see the screen with the family or in pairs, at a safe distance from people outside their household.
Kolja Birkenbach, of Innlights, commented: “The tried-and-tested drive-in format is currently experiencing a revival. Thanks to bright LED technology, the image is bright and completely independent of dusk or dark. This allows organisers to freely plan their programme.”
In Remscheid, in Hesse, on 22 April, Innlights installed an almost 20 metre-wide LED wall for a drive-in cinema organised by Clalüna Connection GmbH. “Because of the large parking areas, drive-in cinema also means large, impressive cinema images in high resolution for a lasting viewer experience in every visitor vehicle,” said the client Patrick Clalüna.
Planning and implementation of the project was carried out by Innlights. The event used the company’s InnScreen Y4 HE and X4 HE high-resolution outdoor LED cabinets. Innlights also took care of the application for and approval of exclusive VHF radio frequencies for sound transmission via FM transmitter, enabling viewers to receive the sound directly from their car radios. Innlights also supplied the playback technology for the drive-in cinema, with its in-house technicians looking after the media installation on a daily basis. Films are shown in the afternoons and evenings.
Innlights has also installed an LED display with a width of 18 metres and a height of 7.5 metres for a drive-in cinema at Paderborn Airport in North Rhine-Westphalia on 29 April. This second project was carried out for Impossible Show Solutions GmbH of Hamburg.
The high-resolution LED wall (4,608 x 1,920 pixels), high image contrast and brightness of 4,000 cd/sq m. were achieved using Innlights’ fully compatible InnScreen Q3 HE and InnScreen R3 HE LED modules. Both systems are equipped with Black Face SMD 1921. An InnVision SCXL video controller launched by Innlights in March enables video playback while an Innlights RCA remote control app also uses products developed in-house for playback technology. Trailers and advertising blocks for various cinema screenings can be played quickly and easily.
Innlights was also responsible for the planning of the Layher scaffolding for the free-standing 135 sqm screen. Construction took place in partnership with event technical solutions company Thöne und Partner. “As part of our full service, we use trained industrial climbers and have driving permissions for all vehicles and lifting devices required on site. We set up the LED wall in just two days. Amongst other things, 40 tonnes of weights were placed for protection,“ said Innlights’ Birkenbach.
Thomas Klem, managing director of Innlights Displaysolutions, said the revival of the drive-in cinema was a success story. “We currently have many inquiries for drive-in cinema solutions and are already implementing other projects, not just for the playback of cinema programmes,” he added.
Visit the AV Magazine website to stay up-to-date with all the latest AV industry news.
Posted: 25th May 2020