Understanding the tech behind Dolby Cinema: What makes it different from a regular theatre?

Dolby Laboratories, in partnership with EVM Cinemas, has launched Kerala’s first Dolby Cinema in Fort Kochi, marking the fifth Dolby Cinema in India.

We travelled to Kochi to check out the new 450-seater auditorium and understand what separates Dolby Cinema from a regular theatre equipped with Dolby technology.

The biggest difference is the projection system. Dolby Cinema combines Dolby Vision projection with Dolby Atmos audio, offering a claimed contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 for deeper blacks, brighter highlights and improved details. The system also supports scheduled presets for different screenings.


The auditorium features a wall-to-wall-to-ceiling screen, engineered acoustics and seating designed for a consistent viewing experience.

Speaking to The Economic Times Digital, Friedrich Deininger, Senior Director, Cinema and Partner Management, EMEA and India at Dolby Laboratories, explained why preserving the filmmaker’s vision remains central to the experience.

“We believe in bringing the creator’s intent. The way the creator had imagined, as is from the studio to the cinema playback,” he said, adding that audiences cannot simply modify the theatrical presentation.

Deininger also discussed Dolby’s audio technology beyond cinemas, particularly when recording concerts on smartphones.

“You can actually cut the noise, literally, and you can just have the artist play the vocals or whatever the artist is performing. That’s the experience you want to share with your friends,” he explained.

While consumer audio technology increasingly allows users to customise their listening experience, Dolby Cinema focuses on reproducing what the filmmaker intended.

The new auditorium is expected to open to the public soon, with tickets available through BookMyShow. Pricing has not yet been announced.

The bigger question, however, is whether the improvements in projection and sound will justify the premium over a regular cinema ticket.