• Philips launches media and lighting system at Los Angeles’ Downtown Independent movie theater to deliver immersive cinema experiences
• Technology leverages soft-resolution surround lighting effects in movie theaters to engage viewers’ critical peripheral field of vision

Philips Lighting, a Royal Philips company and global leader in lighting, today announced the U.S. debut of Philips LightVibes®, an innovative ambient LED lighting technology that is synced to on-screen content with the power to create fully immersive movie-going experiences.

Philips LightVibes, introduced in London in 2014, transforms the cinema experience by bringing new excitement to on-screen content, including feature films, musical performances, advertising and more. This unique visual media system delivers compelling ambient video and surround lighting effects to every viewer’s peripheral field of vision, intensifying the experience and making it feel more real. Philips LightVibes delivers true immersive cinema that empowers theater owners to expand their businesses, while opening up new creative opportunities for film producers, lighting designers, event planners, and others.

Philips LightVibes enhances users cinema experience in U.S. (Photo courtesy of Philips)

In a collaboration with Disney Music Group, Philips Lighting launched LightVibes in the U.S. at the Downtown Independent Theater in Los Angeles on February 16. An audience of music and film industry professionals and artists experienced the technology along with music video footage from the  Star Wars Headspace album, an inspired-by compilation by some of the top and emerging electronic  music artists, featuring tracks that integrate sound effects and dialogue from the Star Wars films. The Rick Rubin-produced album includes original tracks by Kascade, TroyBoi, GTA, Flying Lotus and A-Trak, among others. Star Wars Headspace was released digitally on February 19, and will be  available on CD March 18.

“Philips LightVibes creates truly immersive entertainment for audiences of all kinds,” said Amy Huntington, President of Philips Lighting Americas. “We believe technologies like this signal the future of entertainment experiences, and we are excited to see this innovative lighting  experience being implemented in the U.S. in conjunction with the release of Disney Music’s Star Wars Headspace, an innovative blend of visual media and music.”

By augmenting and intensifying the movie-going experience, Philips LightVibes allows for theaters like the Downtown Independent to create new opportunities and drive excitement, thereby attracting broader audiences without a major investment or renovation disruption. Philips LightVibes can help theaters access new revenue streams and make better use of their assets, for example the ability to tap into the projected US$1 billion market for alternative content by 2018 .

 “With Philips LightVibes we are able to strenghten our position as a resource for exploration and innovation, finding new ways to develop motion-pictures as a major form of art, expression and experience. We are excited to add LightVibes to our set of cinematographic tools,” said James Kirst, Founder and Executive Director of Los Angeles's Downtown Independent Theater.