In collaboration with Samsung, legendary Paris venue Pathé Palace has installed LED cinema screens as part of a wider visual overhaul at the Renzo Piano designed building. At the 2025 Inavation Awards Samsung took home the Applied Technology Award for its work on this project.
For over a century, Pathé Palace has been an architectural and cultural landmark, enchanting cinema lovers with its grandeur and rich history. The venue is honouring the heritage of the building while ensuring it remains at the forefront of cinema technology with the installation of Samsung Onyx cinema LED screens, The Wall, and QMC Smart signage.
Renzo Piano’s architectural brilliance made Pathé Palace a marvel in design, but the cinema’s latest evolution goes beyond aesthetics. Recognising the need to elevate its cinematic offerings, the theatre embarked on a five-year modernisation project with Samsung, culminating in the integration of visual technologies that redefine the cinema experience.
Samsung’s Onyx screens, the world’s first DCI-certified LED cinema displays, now illuminate Pathé Palace with impressive picture quality. Of the theatre’s seven screens, six have been upgraded to Onyx technology with the installation of four 10m-wide 4K Onyx screens and two 5m-wide 2K Onyx screens.
Onyx’s HDR capabilities and 300-nit luminance deliver striking clarity, while the self-lit LEDs create true black levels and impressive contrast ratios.
The innovation extends beyond the screening rooms. In the theatre’s main lobby, Samsung has installed The Wall, an IWC model standing at 5.4m high and 9.6m wide. This 8K Micro LED display harnesses AI-powered upscaling to optimise picture quality in real-time, enhancing contrast, sharpness, and colour accuracy.
Pathé Palace’s commitment to modernising the movie experience extends to every touchpoint within the venue. Samsung’s QMC series Smart signage displays now replace traditional printed posters making every movie preview more dynamic. At the entrance of each theatre, Samsung’s Stretched Display (SH37C) greets patrons with clear visuals in a 16:4.5 aspect ratio, ensuring that showtimes and film information are easily accessible.
Meanwhile, the Pathé headquarters has also embraced Samsung’s technology in its business operations, installing approximately 200 ViewFinity S9 5K monitors for enhanced productivity. The boardroom, too, benefits from The Wall’s IWA model, ensuring that meetings and presentations are delivered with precision and clarity.
The transformation of Pathé Palace underscores how technology and tradition can coexist to create a truly exceptional experience. By adopting Samsung’s pioneering display solutions, the theatre has not only preserved its iconic status but has also positioned itself at the forefront of cinema. With this partnership, Samsung has helped Pathé Palace redefine luxury cinema.
What the judges said...
Judges commended Samsung for its pioneering role in redefining the luxury cinema experience at the historic Pathé Palace in Paris. In a project that underscores the evolution of cinema technology, Samsung replaced traditional projection with six state-of-the-art Onyx LED cinema screens - four 4K and two 2K - delivering unmatched contrast, deep blacks, and HDR-enhanced brightness. As LED continues to gain traction in cinema, Samsung’s work at Pathé Palace exemplifies its potential at the highest level.
Beyond the auditoriums, Samsung reinforced its commitment to premium display technology with The Wall, a striking 8K Micro LED feature in the lobby. Equipped with a Micro AI Processor for real-time upscaling and enhanced HDR performance, it serves as a bold statement of visual excellence. Smart signage throughout the venue, including QMC series displays to display theatre schedules and SH37C Stretched Displays at theatre entrances, further demonstrated Samsung’s range of displays.
Judges praised Samsung’s ability to merge cutting-edge LED technology with the grandeur of a historic venue, setting a new benchmark for high-end cinematic presentation.
Applied Technology Category Sponsor: Barcelona Convention Bureau