Peak Gain of 2.2 Brings Images to Life

FREDERICKSBURG, VA, — Harkness Screens, the world’s leading manufacturer of projection screens for entertainment venues, and Malco Theaters, a chain of renowned movie theaters, have teamed up to give theater patrons the very best movie-viewing experiences through Harness Screens’ Perlux 220 3D screen.

“Harkness Screens has presented the best-looking image of anything I’ve seen and they have significantly raised the bar with the introduction of the Perlux 220,” says Michael Thomson, vice president of operations and technologies for Malco Theaters. “This type of screen is exactly what the 3D digital format, specifically Dolby Digital 3D, benefits from most.”

Malco Theaters currently has two of the largest 3D images available in the country, both utilizing Harkness’ Perlux 220 screens. The first is located in Paradiso Cinema in Memphis, TN with a 3D image sized at 61 feet; the other is located in the Grandview Cinema in Madison, MI, which is Malco’s largest theater in the US. The 68-foot image, supported by Harkness’ Perlux 220, is currently the largest 3D image in the world.

Malco Theaters is also one of two test sites for Dolby Laboratories for Dolby 3D. Harkness’ Perlux 220 was chosen as the best screen for that format.

Perlux Screens are considered by leading cinema exhibitors and special venue operators worldwide to be the premier gain projection surface. Meeting the requirements for the highest possible gain (2.2) while maintaining acceptable viewing angles, Perlux 220 is particularly suitable for active and passive 3D systems (not using polarized light) and for large 2D systems.

Perlux 220 is noted for its invisible seams under normal projection conditions. Perlux 220 is available in full screen perforated form where behind screen speakers are required. Mini-perforated and non-perforated options are also offered.

With approximately 320 screens, in over 30 locations throughout Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee, Malco Theaters is one of the nation’s leading movie exhibition chains. Malco Theaters bought its first Harkness screen back in the early 1970s. Today, 90 percent of the company’s screens are manufactured by Harkness with the Perlux 220 being their showcase screen.

“Harkness Screens has been tremendously attentive to our needs,” continues Thomson. “Over the next few years, our industry and our company are very much in a state of change as we move toward digital cinema. We want to maintain our reputation as the very best in the industry and with Harkness Perlux screens, we feel our reputation is safe.”