Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., has announced the latest Onyx (ICD model) cinema LED screen at the CinemaCon 2025, trade event. According to the company, the new technology builds on its legacy as a cinema LED producer, which began in 2017.
“The cinema industry is shifting its focus towards delivering a more immersive and visually captivating experience,” says Hoon Chung, executive vice president of visual display business at Samsung Electronics. “With Onyx, Samsung delivers not only the highest-quality visuals but also the flexibility that allows theaters to redefine the movie-going experience and cater to evolving audience expectations.”
Samsung Onyx Product Line Engineered to Produce Reference Levels of Performance
Samsung states that its new product line provides users with the world’s first DCI-certified cinema LED display to deliver high-level cinematic experiences with true black levels, infinite contrast ratio and color accuracy. The company notes the screen is capable of supporting frame rates up to 4K 120Hz to deliver smooth motion and detail.
Examining the cinema market Samsung points out that every auditorium has unique dimensions, and screen size requirements that vary. To accommodate these factors, Onyx comes in four standard sizes and additional flexible scaling options. These sizes include:
- 5 meters (16-foot screen): Samsung says the 5-meter model can be used for boutique and smaller-format theaters (Pixel pitch: 1.25mm)
- 10 meters (33-foot screen): The industry standard for premium cinemas (Pixel pitch: 2.5mm)
- 14 meters (46-foot screen): A versatile format that delivers a large-scale cinematic experience (Pixel pitch: 3.3mm)
- 20 meters (66-foot screen): A large-format solution for premium auditoriums (Pixel pitch: 5.0mm)
Samsung emphasizes the Onyx cinema LED product line natively support both scope (2.39:1) and flat (1.85:1) aspect ratios, to help ensure films are displayed in their intended formats without the need for additional adjustments. When scaling beyond standard sizes the company continues, Onyx maintains both aspect ratios while maximizing the screen size, allowing content to expand proportionally without distortion.
Samsung: Onyx Promises Fewer Washed Out Colors Compared to Projectors
Comparing its new line of commercial LED solutions to traditional theater solutions, Samsung says that unlike projectors, which can appear dim in larger theaters and struggle with washed-out colors in bright scenes, Onyx’s enhanced brightness ensures shadow detail, more intense highlights and color accuracy across the entire spectrum.
Samsung stresses the new product line is powered by its HDR technology to help the displays achieve peak brightness levels of 300 nits (87.6fL), which it says are six times brighter than conventional cinema standards to enable the products to reproduce the brightest details to remain clear and visible rather than appearing washed out or overexposed.
“As the entertainment industry looks ahead to the future of cinema, innovation is more important than ever,” comments David Phelps, head of display division, Samsung Electronics America. “By delivering truly immersive experiences in theaters, we can ensure that the magic of the big screen not only endures, but thrives. The new generation of Onyx Cinema LED screens enables theater owners and operators to engage, thrill and remind moviegoers why the theater remains the ultimate place to experience visual storytelling at its finest.”
Displays Supported with Auto Calibration Tool to Expedite Installation Process
Samsung also adds that its Onyx line of cinema LED displays is built for long-term performance, and it is supported with 10-year warranty the company says helps reduce the total cost of ownership and ensures a future-proof investment for theater owners.
To maintain optimal picture quality, Samsung provides an auto-calibration solution that enables professional integrators to easily calibrate the screens during installation and routine maintenance.
Designed for seamless integration, Onyx is compatible with both Dolby and GDC IMB media servers to make it easier for theaters to transition from traditional projection systems. Because of this, theater networks can enjoy seamless content playback and efficient management.
In addition, Onyx is fully compatible with leading cinema audio solutions, including Dolby Atmos, Meyer Sound, QSC and custom-designed sound systems to enable theaters to customize their audio system to meet their specific needs. Moreover, for theaters using HARMAN’s JBL surround sound solutions, Onyx also offers seamless integration to help facilitate optimized performance.
