HOYTS has unveiled a large-format cinema experience at Melbourne Central, introducing LED screen technology.

Branded HOYTS APEX, the format replaces traditional projection with a direct-view LED display measuring more than 21m wide and powered by over 17 million pixels. The system delivers significantly higher brightness, deeper blacks and improved contrast, producing more vivid and lifelike images on screen.

Melbourne Central will serve as the flagship location for the rollout, positioning the venue as a showcase for the new technology.

“HOYTS APEX represents a defining moment for HOYTS and for cinema more broadly, setting a new benchmark for what the big screen experience can be,” HOYTS Group chief executive and president Damian Keogh says.

“What sets APEX apart is its combination of a curved LED screen of spectacular scale, cutting-edge LED technology delivering true pixel perfection and Dolby Atmos surround sound, bringing every moment to life with remarkable clarity and depth.

“We’re proud to introduce this new format at Melbourne Central, reinforcing its position as the leading cinema destination in Victoria.”

A key feature of the system is its acoustically transparent LED screen, which allows sound to pass directly through the display. This enables a more accurate alignment between audio and on-screen action, enhancing immersion compared with conventional setups where speakers are positioned around the screen.

The system is powered by technology from GDC Technology, with chief executive and chairman Dr Man Nang Chong highlighting the performance gains over traditional projection.

“The LED system behind HOYTS APEX offers 30 times better picture contrast and millions more pixels than traditional cinema projection, resulting in remarkable clarity and detail,” he says.

“The screen itself is acoustically transparent, allowing sound to pass seamlessly through the movie, so audio aligns precisely with what is on screen, creating a level of immersion and precision unlike anything Australian cinemagoers have experienced before.”