D3D Installing Two Digital Theater Systems at Atlanta’s Fernbank Museum of Natural Science

Jan 10, 2017 Joe Kleiman Museums, News, North America, Technology & Media, World markets 0

D3D Cinema has announced that the Fernbank Museum of Natural History (FMNH) has selected D3D to provide FMNH with two new digital cinema systems in early 2017. Located in central Atlanta, Georgia, FMNH is undertaking significant upgrades to their existing Giant Screen theater as well as a second auditorium space. Work will begin this month, with both new theaters launching in early February after undergoing comprehensive technology upgrades to provide significantly enhanced viewer experiences, as well as dramatic improvements to functionality.

In the all-new Rankin M. Smith, Sr. Giant Screen Theater, D3D will replace the existing projection system with dual Christie® Digital 4K 3D laser-illuminated projectors, a premium QSC 5.1 audio system and a new screen from MDI. The state-of-the-art laser projectors will illuminate the Fernbank’s giant screen with a brilliant expanded color gamut and 3D images well beyond the capabilities of the former IMAX® 15/70 2D film-based projection system.

The system will be complemented by a full alternative content package which will allow FMNH to present a far wider selection of mission-related and specialty content in the theater than before, as well as to turn the theater into a powerful and capable event space for everything from lectures to private rentals outside of normal museum operating hours.

“Fernbank has always sought to immerse viewers in the natural world through films, but the new top-of-the-line digital laser technology and 3D capabilities of the Giant Screen Theater will greatly enhance the experience. We hope moviegoers will continue to discover a deep connection to science, nature and human culture through the stunning image and sound quality of this highly advanced digital system,” said Jennifer Grant-Warner, Fernbank Executive Vice President & Chief Programming Officer.

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to work with the Fernbank Museum on this important and exciting project,” said Derek Threinen, Vice President of Business Development for D3D. “In redefining the Fernbank’s signature Giant Screen experience, a new generation of museum visitors will be inspired through unparalleled presentations of compelling stories from around the world, and beyond. The new digital laser system will also provide the Fernbank with significant ongoing savings in operating costs in the theater, expected in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.”

In addition to the digital laser system for the Giant Screen Theater, D3D will also install a 2K 2D DCI-compliant digital cinema system with a premium 5.1 QSC audio system as part of a major upgrade to Fernbank’s Frances Wood Wilson Foundation Theater, which will be used for a wide variety of special programs as part of the museum experience.