Waikiki Twin Theatres Get HPS-4000Æ Major Upgrades For ""Star Wars: Episode I ñ The Phantom Menace""
In preparation for the May 19th opening of the highly anticipated film ""Star Wars: Episode I ñ The Phantom Menace,"" Hawaiiís Consolidated Amusements is installing several major upgrades in the Waikiki Twin Theatres. In addition to new seating and other amenities, the theatres- famed HPS-4000Æ sound systems are also being improved and enlarged. When complete, the HPS-4000 sound systems at the Twins will be the most powerful of their kind in the world, boasting an acoustic output equal to 14 1/2 symphony orchestras all playing at once. The sound system upgrades involve several important areas: First, all the power amplifiers are being replaced with the new BGW Millennium 3-HPSÆ amplifiers. These units are designed and manufactured by BGW systems of Hawthorne, California in cooperation with High Performance Stereo of Boston, Massachusetts, developer of the HPS-4000 motion picture sound system. ""We are extremely proud that these new amplifiers are being installed in the Waikiki Theatres,"" stated BGW President, Barbara Wachner. In addition to the new amplifiers, the output of the subwoofer system is being quadrupled and a new Surround EX processor from Dolby Laboratories is being added to enhance the surround channel steering. But perhaps the most striking difference audiences will enjoy is the upgrade transforming these sound systems from 6 channels to 8 channels. This is accomplished with the installation of two new HPS 4-way speakers behind the screens. The 8-channel format is an exclusive feature of the Sony SDDS digital motion picture soundtrack. Sony Cinema Products Vice President, Dan Taylor said, ""Theatres equipped with 8 channel sound systems will be able to present ëStar Warsí and other 8 channel films will an added sense of realism, clarity and depth."" Consolidatedís technical staff, Scott Bosch and Alan Sakaida, headed up by Wesley Inouye are accomplishing the installation of the new equipment at the Waikiki Twins. John F. Allen, President of High Performance Stereo as well as the inventor of the HPS-4000 sound system has designed the upgrades. Allen is no stranger to digital sound. In 1984, he was the first to bring digital sound to commercial movie theatres. Allen said ""although these systems will be the most powerful of their kind in the world, audiences should understand that the acoustic power is there not to make the movies too loud. Rather, the power is mostly held in reserve so that the sound is never distorted. Distortion from inadequate sound systems has been behind numerous complaints from movie audiences around the world. Among other things, the HPS-4000 sound systems are noted for their freedom from irritating distortion."" Beginning with the Waikiki 3 theatre renovations in 1983, Consolidated has installed over 60 HPS-4000 sound systems. In addition to the present upgrades at the Waikiki Twin Theatres, three new HPS-4000 sound systems including BGW Millennium 3-HPS amplifiers are being installed in the Pearl West Theatres. Audiences attending the new ""Star Wars: Episode I ñ The Phantom Menace"" picture, in Consolidatedís HPS-4000 theatres will hear so much more, it can be likened to experiencing a different movie than that available in conventional movie theatres. For more information, contact John Allen at 617 244 1737 or email: JohnFAllen@aol.com.