LG Miraclass: Bright 2K/4K LED screens for cinema without a projector

For professional use in cinemas without a projector, LG has presented a series of cinema LED modules under the name Miraclass, which enable the construction of “digital screens” with 2K and 4K resolution Allow sizes of up to 101 m². The cabinets achieve brightnesses of up to 300 cd/m² and are already being used.

LG had already announced efforts in this segment in 2020 and opened the first cinema hall with a 14 × 7 m large screen and 4K resolution opened. The current models, which are available in four variants, do not change the size and resolution, but alternative sizes create more flexibility.

The range consists of four different cabinets, which consist of six pre-assembled modules. These cabinets are then combined in the cinema to form the actual screen. An integrated Dolby Media Server IMS3000 is used for playback.

4K on 5.1 × 2.7 m thanks to the small pixel pitch

The smallest pixel pitch, i.e. the distance between the center of each pixel and the next, is achieved by the LDAA012 module at 1.25 mm, which is arranged in eight rows of six cabinets each for a 5.1 × 2.7 m ( 14 m²) with 4,096 × 2,160 pixels (DCI-4K). The overall construction weighs 465 kg and has a typical consumption of just under 3.94 kW when using the DCI standard brightness of 48 cd/m². With a brighter 300 cd/m², consumption increases to 9.7 kW. For a completely darkened cinema hall, 300 cd/m² is an extremely high value.

With twice the pixel pitch of 2.5 mm, the LDAA025-1 module can be used with the same dimensions for a 2K LED screen with just 2,048 × 1,080 pixels. The weight is identical for 48 active cabinets, but the consumption is significantly lower at 2.01 kW (48 cd/m²) or 3.96 kW (300 cd/m²).

Several tons have to be assembled

In the class with a 2.5 mm pixel pitch, there is also a module for a 4K screen, the LDAA025, which then, however, achieves a larger size of 10.2 × 5.4 m (55 m²). With this construction, 192 cabinets (16 × 12) and 1.85 t of material have to be brought to the wall in the cinema, and consumption also increases to an impressive 7.77 kW or 15.48 kW at maximum brightness.

The LAD033F is even larger with a 3.3 mm pixel pitch, which is designed for 4K screens measuring 14.1 × 7.2 m (101 m²). With a total of 176 cabinets (22 × 8), 2.65 t have to be installed in the cinema, but LG only states the consumption here in operation with 48 cd/m² with 9.26 kW; according to the data sheet, this module cannot handle higher brightness levels. The largest variant also only delivers 15 bits of color depth and is not suitable for 3D. For the other variants, LG speaks of 24 bits and names a 144 Hz mode for 3D. 24, 25, 30, 48, 50 and 60 Hz, however, dominate all versions.

According to LG, the manufacturer's LED screens are already being used in larger cinema chains around the world, with further installations to follow in Asia, Europe and North America. In Spain, the Odeon Multicines in Vilanova was recently equipped, and the same operator is also planning installations in Madrid and Barcelona. Canvases on

LG is not the only manufacturer to install LED screens in cinemas and thus want to replace classic projection. Samsung also offers corresponding solutions under the names “Cinema LED” and “Onyx”, which the editors were able to view at the EU premiere in Esslingen Dream Palace. In terms of brightness, contrast, HDR effect and uniformity, classic projection doesn't stand a chance against an LED screen, but depending on the pixel pitch and seat, the pixel structure can sometimes be seen. In addition, with LED screens, loudspeakers cannot be mounted behind them, so that they have to be aligned in the hall in a different way and with potentially more effort, as if the sound were still coming directly from the screen.

Micro LED televisions for the wealthy

Installations of this type should not be confused with the micro LED televisions intended for well-heeled consumers such as The Wall or Micro- LED TV from Samsung or the DVLED Home Cinema Display from LG. However, the basic functionality of both versions is very similar.