Hungarian theatre to debut Central Europe’s first LED cinema screen!
The Kultik Cinema Network is set to install a massive LED wall in Auditorium 2 of its Csepel location, becoming the first in Central and Eastern Europe to adopt this projection-replacing technology. Launching in October 2025, the system uses direct light emission, significantly improving image quality with true black levels, higher brightness, and sharper contrast. The nine-meter-wide panel is made up of over 2.2 million pixels and supports HDR content. The upgrade will also result in improved 3D projection. During the conversion, the auditorium will be reconfigured to seat around 150 guests, and the projection and sound systems will be adapted to fit the new technology.
Starting in October 2025, LED panels will replace the traditional projection screen in one of the theatres at Kultik Csepel Cinema. This will mark the first venue in Hungary—and Central and Eastern Europe—where films are shown not through projected light, but by a self-emissive LED system. Instead of watching reflected light from a projector, audiences will see images directly emitted from the panel itself.
This technological shift significantly enhances image quality, offering higher brightness, true black tones, and more even contrast. The HeyLED wall set to be installed in Csepel will be nine meters wide and contain more than 2.2 million LED pixels. It will also support HDR (High Dynamic Range) content playback.
LED cinema auditorium: What audiences will see
One major advantage of HeyLED projection is its ability to display true black. Traditional projectors operate on a lit background, causing black areas to appear as dark grey.
“The rollout’s most striking benefit is that black is now truly black, and contrast is razor sharp,” said Krisztián Szabó, CEO of the Kultik Cinema Network. “Each pixel of the LED panel emits or does not emit its own light, enabling far higher contrast and brightness than anything previously seen in theatres. Plus, the glare-free visuals are easier on the eyes.”
The HeyLED screen can reach up to 6000 nits of brightness, while most DLP projectors in cinemas today rarely exceed 1000 nits. According to the manufacturer, the contrast ratio can reach up to 30,000:1, far surpassing the 500:1 to 3000:1 average of conventional projection systems. The system also fully covers the DCI-P3 colour gamut—an industry standard for film colour grading.
3D: A new experience with familiar glasses
The technology also brings innovations to 3D screenings. Kultik says LED-based imaging delivers sharper and more stable visuals for 3D films. The new LED theatre will feature active 3D glasses, which guests will not need to purchase themselves. These new glasses offer more vivid colours and are lightweight, comfortable, and ergonomically tested.
“For the first time, 3D projection demands no compromise,” said Szabó. “The technology allows viewers to perceive depth even without glasses, while the glasses themselves now provide richer detail and more natural motion. International feedback shows that audiences actually feel a physical difference—making the cinematic experience far more authentic.”
The auditorium will undergo partial renovation alongside the LED installation, resulting in a redesigned 150-seat space. While the row layout remains unchanged, the screen and sound configurations will be tailored to the LED format.
More than just movies: Esports, concerts, and business events
Kultik plans to use the LED-equipped auditorium for more than just film screenings. The display will be suitable for live broadcasts, esports tournaments, and even concerts, opening doors for corporate events and conferences as well.
“One key benefit of the LED wall is its visibility even in bright settings, eliminating the need to fully darken the room,” added the CEO. “This makes it ideal for events like lectures, presentations, or live streams. We’ve already attracted interest from partners seeking next-gen solutions for esports competitions and live music broadcasts. And as a seasoned cinema professional with 25 years in the industry, it’s a thrill to work with this cutting-edge technology.”
The Kultik Cinema Network is currently Hungary’s second-largest movie chain, operating theatres in both Budapest and several provincial cities. Fully Hungarian-owned, Kultik often supports the filmgoing experience in smaller towns. The Csepel LED auditorium will serve as the network’s flagship for innovation, developed in partnership with Magyar Telekom.
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