Our Marketing Manager, Nina Parmenter, answers the questions which our customers ask us the most...
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The other day, we were discussing whether it would be possible to produce an all-encompassing specification guide to retractable seating for our customers. Probably not, we concluded; our retractable systems are so bespoke that the possible variations and combinations would be mind-boggling!
From the discussion however, it did become clear that there are a few questions that come up again and again – to which we’ve compiled some brief answers below.
However, if you’d like more detailed answers to these or any other questions about retractable seating, needless to say, please just get in touch. It is, after all, our favourite subject…
In many years of trying to explain the concept, I’ve found that the fastest verbal explanation of retractable seating is “tiers of seating that close away like a chest of drawers”! However, the very best way to understand retractable seating is to forget the words and watch a short video. Take a look at our YouTube channel for a variety of retractable seating systems in action.
If you’d like to do a quick estimate, you can measure your space and use our handy Dimensions and Capacity Guide which you can download from the Datasheets section of our Resources page.
However we’re more than happy to save you the time, and help you with this free of charge. We can either give you a quick seat count and visualisation based on your measurements, or a detailed CAD layout drawing based on a site visit and survey.
We’re experienced in spotting particular features in spaces – sloped ceilings, inconvenient doorways and the like – and suggesting solutions, so it's always worth getting us in to take a look.
Floor compatibility is a topic which can make specifiers nervous, but we’ve provided retractable seating for spaces with a wide variety of floors. Below are the most common floor types we come across:
Hard floors – these are ideal for retractable seating but we still need to check the smoothness and tolerance. We look for a tolerance of ±2mm over 2m to ensure a smooth-running system.
Sports Floors – Sprung sports floors are no problem, but we do ask for them to be reinforced just along the wheel runs. Please ask us for more information.
Carpet - We don’t recommend running a retractable system over a carpeted area, but if unavoidable, we can provide custom made running boards to lay in front of your system before opening to prevent damage to the carpet.
Parquet – It’s possible (although not ideal) to operate retractable seating successfully over parquet, but we do recommend a thorough check of your floor tiles prior to the seating being installed to ensure no damage is caused.
Marmoleum – Marmoleum floors are acceptable but the marmoleum must be fully bonded to the substrate.
Please do ask us if your floor is any other construction - we can also provide floor loading diagrams on request.
It’s a tricky one! Retractable seating often falls between a number of definitions – it’s not a structural part of a building, it’s not a staircase, and it’s not furniture.
If you need further guidance about standards, please just ask us. And don't forget, we can also manufacture seating to comply with international standards.
Be extremely wary of anyone who tells you a retractable system does not need servicing. They all require at least a yearly inspection, no matter how sturdily built. For one thing, it’s required in the UK under PUWER regulations, which state that working equipment must be inspected annually by a competent person and that records must be kept of those inspections. But there are many other good reasons too.
During a service call, our engineers will subtly adjust platforms every year to ensure smooth running – poor adjustment can cause wear, which can lead in the long term to more serious and costly damage. They’ll also lubricate the system and replace any small parts or fixings showing signs of wear. In addition, our experienced engineers will also spot any signs of damage, which can be caused by all manner of events, from rubbish under the wheels, to incorrect operation by untrained personnel, to heavy objects being stored on the closed system. As with any mechanical system, investing in servicing will save you money in the years to come!
We service all makes of retractable seating, so if you'd like to arrange a seating service, please call our aftersales team.
Whereas a bolted system such as ours would be delivered to your venue as what we like to describe as a “mechano set” and bolted together on site, a welded system will arrive as large subassemblies. While these unwieldy assemblies do slightly reduce time on site, there are multiple issues to overcome with logistics and manual handling – not to mention getting them into the building!
The other reason we recommend a bolted structure is that over the lifetime of the system, a bolted system can be adjusted with far more accuracy and finesse. These small adjustments, which our engineers perform as part of your annual service, are essential to the long-term reliability and smooth running of the system. They also prevent any more serious damage, wear and even breakdowns in the long term.
Also please note that although “welded” may sound stronger than bolted, in actual fact the small amounts of “give” built into bolted systems help them to manage loads more effectively than a welded system.
Not all retractable systems are noisy! But some are.
The worst-case systems rest open with the front beam of one platform resting on the rear beam of the platform below. This reliance on metal-to-metal contact makes the systems noisy and prone to wear and distortion. Our platforms make contact at seven discrete points; at each point a nylon pad or roller cushions the contact. Along with our rigid deck construction, this reduces noise when opening, closing or walking across the platforms.
Most (but not all) retractable systems have some kind of mechanism for holding the rows safely in place once open. Many are gravity operated. Our row locks are gravity operated, but with the additional backing of a spring and an extremely sturdy construction. This ensures safe and secure locking, even in earthquake prone zones such as New Zealand and California.
Before or during the closure of a retractable system, each row of chairs has to fold down onto its platform - allowing the chairs to be stored inside the closed platforms.
It’s almost impossible for Audience Systems’ chairs to be folded down by a member of the public – either deliberately or by accident. Beware, however, of chairs which are folded via a highly visible foot release pedal. These can easily be released by accident - or indeed by curious children.
It is, of course, most economical to get your specification right when you purchase the system, but circumstances change and all things are possible!
We've retrofitted many operational upgrades to retractable systems, including the power operation and partial opening functionality.
Existing systems which are showing their age can also be refurbished – so if your seating platforms are working well, but decks, chairs, trims, fascias and/or rails are looking tired, a complete replacement is not always necessary.
There are also a few options for increasing your seating capacity, whether through adding an extra row of seating, or purchasing matching seating which can be laid out on the floor in front of the retractable platforms.
In an age where entertainment is abundant and where at-home streaming platforms are at their peak, it’s no surprise that people are looking for new ways to enhance their moviegoing experience. More and more, audiences are seeking immersive encounters that bring storytelling to new levels and give them an experience they can’t re-create at home. The good news is that theaters around the world have answered this call with a range of premium experiences designed to bring movie-watching to new levels of fun!
Premium experiences offered by movie theaters range from enhanced visual experiences (such as multi-wall screens), enhanced audio experiences (thanks to innovative speakers and new technology) as well as experiences that go beyond sight and sound by offering audiences seats that move during the movie.
These experiences exist to further immersive audiences into their movies and to captivate attention with enhanced storytelling!
Moving cinema seats—also known as motion seats—are just one of the premium experiences offered to moviegoers to enhance their movies. These seats are designed to move alongside the on-screen action, providing an interactive experience by engaging the viewers’ sense of touch.
Depending on the seats, they can move, vibrate, tilt, roll, or combine any number of these, all with the goal of providing a fully immersive experience. For example, during a movie with a big car chase, the chairs can move in the same direction of the car, vibrate in a way that’s consistent with a car’s engine and tilt if it comes to a sudden halt! You can even feel different textures through moving seats; subtle nuances that tell you if a car is being driven on sand, concrete, grass or some other surface.
By offering guests a tactile dimension that traditional seating does not have, movies seen in motion seats come to life in a way that goes beyond just sight and sound. The new, engaging environment that moving cinema seats create plunges you into the heart of the action and makes you feel as though you’re part of the movie itself, as opposed to just being a passive viewer! For example, you’ll truly feel as though you’re in the cockpit alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick and feel like you’re diving through the ocean’s waves in Avatar: The Way of Water!
As proven by a study done by D-BOX Technologies—a company who creates motion systems for cinema seats—noticeable physiological reactions occur in moviegoers who watch movies in moving seats, demonstrating that these types of technologies increase sensory perception and enhance your overall emotional engagement with the movie.
While moving seats appear to be a perfect match for action titles, they also enhance the movie experience for ‘calmer’ movies as well. During more serene moments, seats that move can provide gentle movements—or a total lack of movement—to enhance the narrative and storytelling. For example, in a mostly silent movies such as the A Quiet Place titles, gentle vibrations can make moviegoers aware of the monsters lurking nearby, while a lack of movement altogether can hold audiences in suspense of an imminent attack.
No matter the premium (or lack of premium) experience, moviegoers will always be immersed through the screen and sound. Thanks to motion cinema seats, you can add sense of touch to that list—creating a triangle of immersion that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
As previously stated, motion seats are a premium theatrical experience in which the seats that moviegoers sit in can move, sway, vibrate and more alongside the movie itself. Motion seats stimulate the sense of touch of audiences to create an immersive theatrical experience.
When movie cinema seats move in synchronization with the action on-screen, the movie industry refers to it as “motion seating” or “motion seats.” However, the technology is also known by branded names. For example, if you see “D-BOX seats” on a movie theater’s website, they’re referring to the moving cinema seats offered by the company D-BOX Technologies.
Arguably the best seats in cinemas are moving seats that are in the middle of the auditorium. The combination of an unobstructed view with equally balanced sound and physical immersion provided by the moving seats makes for the optimal theatrical experience.
Unless the movie being shown is offered in 3D, then you do not require glasses to be immersed by moving cinema seats.
While standard and haptic moving cinema seats don’t involve the use of water, some 4D moving seats do. To confirm if water is part of the motion experience offered by your local theater, please check the company offering it and refer to their website.
Absolutely! No movie theater experience is complete without popcorn —motion seat experiences included.
A premium experience in movie theaters is any enhancement to the traditional way of going to the movies. Premium experiences are designed to elevate the entire experience by offering enhanced comfort, superior viewing conditions, or additional amenities that go beyond what the standard experience provides.
Premium offerings cater to moviegoers seeking a more immersive environment and who seek a unique way to experience their movies.
While not all premium experiences involve premium seats, many do. Examples of premium seats include recliners, extra legroom or leather seating, and can even include other perks such as in-seat dining service.
Moving cinema seats are another example of a premium seating options, as they provide a viewing experience that is superior to that of standard seats.
Several movie theater chains around the world (as well as some independents) offer moving cinema seats to make the experience more exciting for moviegoers.
In Canada, Cineplex is well known for featuring moving seats in many of their locations. The same can be said for Cinemark in the United States and in Latin America, HOYTS in Australia, and Kinopolis in Germany.
Moving cinema seats typically come with a small surcharge compared to standard seating options. This surcharge is due to the premium nature of the experience they provide, and reflects the costs associated with the advanced technology and extra comfort of the seats!
The exact amount of the surcharge will vary from theater, location, and moving seat brand, but moviegoers find the added expense worthwhile for the immersive and interactive experience they receive.
For more than 25 years, D-BOX has been revolutionizing the movie-watching experience with its innovative haptic technology. Having continuously pushed the boundaries of immersive entertainment, they currently deploy their haptic technology in multiple business sectors such as sim racing, professional simulation & training, gaming as well as in attractions & theme parks!
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Despite their versatility, D-BOX is most known for the premium haptic theatrical experience that they offer to moviegoers in more than 40 countries all around the world.
This experience is brought to movie lovers through haptic actuators that allow audiences to experience movements, vibrations and textures directly in their movie theater seat. Thanks to their dedicated team of haptic designers and developers whose job it is to hand-code haptic effects to each individual piece of content, their motion experience is the most realistic and truly makes viewers feel as though they are part of the movie!
With more than 65,000 unique haptic effects to choose from, D-BOX can enhance every type of movie and every type of scene—from the subtlest vibrations that convey tension in a thriller to dynamic, full-body movements that mimic high-speed car chases. These effects bring users beyond sight and sound, elevating the cinematic experience to new heights by stimulating the skin, muscles and balance of the audience!
Additionally, D-BOX's moving seat experience puts audiences in control of their own preferences, as an in-seat intensity control remote allows them to toggle the effects up or down to their likings.
Through continuous innovation and their dedication to delivering high-quality experiences, D-BOX not only enhances the enjoyment of movies but also sets a new standard for immersive entertainment!
The creation of D-BOX's immersive moving seat experience is a meticulous process that involves the expertise of skilled haptic designers who are trained in-house to provide the experience that only D-BOX can provide. These designers—many of whom have a background in music—play a crucial role in crafting and selecting the proper combination of haptic effects to synchronize perfectly with a movie’s audio track. Their musical training gives them the ability to understand and interpret subtle nuances of sound, which in turn allows them to choose effects that complement and enhance the film.
With more than 350,000 hours of labor alone dedicated to creating D-BOX's one-of-a-kind library of haptic effects, no motion seat experience rivals the realism they provide. The rigorous hand-coding process ensures that each effect (and combination of effects) is perfectly timed and tailored to specific scenes and narratives in the movie. Doing everything by hand allows for a level of detail and precision that automated processes cannot achieve, ensuring that every movement, vibration and texture is intricately aligned with the action on-screen.
By combining their musical expertise with a deep understanding of film and technology, D-BOX's haptic designers continuously expand their repertoire of effects, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. This commitment to a human-centered approach is provides moviegoers with an experience that keeps them coming back for more.
D-BOX's long-standing relationships with some of the world’s leading movie studios—including the likes of Walt Disney Studios, Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures and others—plays a crucial role in their ability to deliver their cutting-edge haptic experience.
These relationships allow D-BOX to access films prior to their theatrical release and formally become part of the post-production phase of a movie. Having access in post-production is what allows their haptic designers to watch the movies in advance, hand-code the haptic effects that bring the story to life and deliver it to exhibitors in time to ‘wow’ moviegoers.
These collaborative relationships also allow D-BOX to code a wide range of movies, since each studio releases multiple titles per year. Additionally, since D-BOX has these relationships with so many different studios, they’re able to code every type of title, with their haptic effects enhancing action, animation, adventure, horror, suspense, musicals, and even the occasional international title! No matter an audience’s personal preferences, there will always be a D-BOX coded title for them to move and sway with.
In addition to their work with film studios, D-BOX also partners with some of the biggest names in the gaming industry, including Ubisoft, KT Racing and Electronic Arts (EA). These collaborations allow D-BOX to integrate their haptic feedback directly into the game’s engine, creating a deeply immersive gaming experience that extends beyond haptics in controllers. This integration means that players can feel every turn, jump and explosion as if they were inside the game, further demonstrating the versatility and broad application of D-BOX's haptic technology.
Being part of a movie’s post-production and having a working relationship with Hollywood studios brings another perk to D-BOX's moving theater seat experience: the input of movie directors and studio executives themselves!
Occasionally, while D-BOX's haptic designers are working on coding a new movie, their Los Angeles office will turn into a testing site for directors or studio executives. They’ll get to experience the haptic track first-hand and give their feedback directly to the D-BOX team, ensuring that every movement, vibration, and texture complements the film’s narrative and emotional tone—transforming their audiovisual work of art into an all-encompassing experience.
Having early access to movies, games and other types of entertainment gives D-BOX's haptic team the time to bring the audience or player experience beyond sight and sound.
For example, imagine the scene in Star Wars: The Last Jedi in which Rey is being held captive with physical restraints. Ultimately, she summons the Force to break free—but the audience doesn’t know that until she physically breaks her restraints.
Meanwhile, D-BOX's haptic designers have added subtle vibrations that begin to build in intensity to the scene, mirroring Rey’s internal struggle and concentration to use the Force. These vibrations gradually increase—creating a sense of anticipation and tension—which ultimately culminates in an explosive burst when she finally breaks free.
This carefully crafted sequence of haptic feedback communicates with the audience without the help of audiovisual effects that she’s summoning the Force, before the rest of the audience knows it—making them the most immersed people in the auditorium.
D-BOX's human centered approach has more benefits and advantages than just setting them apart, however. By leveraging the experience their haptic designers and developers have gained from working in D-BOX's multiple business sectors, they can confidently say that they provide an extremely realistic haptic experience in every domain!
The realism and precision of D-BOX's haptic feedback is so advanced that their haptic system is the only one in the world to be licensed by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) — the world’s most prestigious and global governing body for motorsport—proving that their approach is the ultimate experience. This endorsement underscores the exceptional quality and realism of D-BOX haptic feedback, no matter the business sector.
D-BOX is also one of the only premium formats that allows moviegoers to set the intensity of their motion seat experience. With multiple in-seat settings—ranging from ‘no effects’ to ‘max intensity’ — audiences can adjust the intensity of the movements, vibrations, and textures to the setting that is most comfortable for them.
Additionally, what makes D-BOX a unique business partner for movie exhibitors is not only will their moving cinema seats increase box office revenue, but they can also help transform your cinema into a Family Entertainment Center (FEC) thanks to self-service haptic sim racing simulators. This versatility allows exhibitors to maximize their investment with D-BOX by providing a range of interactive experiences that appeal to diverse audiences.
Whether by enhancing the cinema experience or offering thrilling sim racing adventures, D-BOX provides exhibitors with unmatched realism, precision, and enhanced audience engagement.
Wanting to prove that their haptic feedback truly effected moviegoers, D-BOX partnered with Tech3Lab from the HEC Montréal to conduct scientific experiments on the topic. One of them looked at physiological and emotional reactions of participants who were exposed to haptic and static movie scenes of action and non-action movies.
The results found that during action movies, the D-BOX effect is highly noticeable. Participants had strong, subconscious neurological reactions to action scenes with haptics and their bodies strongly reacted to the haptic stimuli, as determined through facial, dermal and cardiac reactions. Those who watched action clips with haptic feedback also generated more cognitive activity during the content, demonstrating that they’re more engaged with and immersed in the action on-screen.
For non-action movies, the study found that D-BOX haptics significantly enhances the physical narrative perspective that is intended by the audiovisual effects. For example, participants perceived cold things to be colder and heavy things to be heavier. Essentially, the weight, temperature and speed of objects were found to be amplified by haptics!
Additionally, D-BOX was found to significantly enhance the feeling of immersion, sense of presence and emotional response to cinematic experiences—proving that D-BOX's moving cinema seats truly are the best option for moviegoers and exhibitors alike.
Moviegoers aren’t the only ones who love the D-BOX moving cinema seats—multiple industry professionals and household names also swear by it!
For example, the cast of the blockbuster Twisters—including Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Brandon Perea, and Anthony Ramos— enthusiastically encouraged audiences to see the movie in D-BOX. They proclaimed, "your seats will twist and shake perfectly with every twist and turn. You will truly feel like you're part of the action!"
Renowned directors such as Jason Reitman, David Leitch, and actor Keegan-Michael Key have also all publicly praised the D-BOX experience for their respective films, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, The Fall Guy, and The Super Mario Bros Movie. These endorsements from industry heavyweights underscore the transformative impact of D-BOX motion seats in bringing their creative visions to life.
Big names such as John Cena, known for his roles in action-packed films, have also praised D-BOX's immersive experience. He invited moviegoers worldwide to experience F9 in D-BOX, urging them to "get your tickets to F9 in D-BOX and buckle up for a movie experience unlike any other!"
Celebrity endorsements like these not only validate the quality and appeal of D-BOX motion seats but also serve as powerful marketing tools for exhibitors. They entice moviegoers to upgrade their tickets, promising an extraordinary cinematic adventure that is thrilling, unforgettable, and beloved by their favourite actors and directors!
As far as premium experiences go, D-BOX is arguably one of the most beneficial premium formats in which exhibitors can invest.
For starters, D-BOX offers a wide range of different products that allow for multiple types of auditorium configurations. They have everything from recliners and/or luxury seats to compact seating and standard theater seater, thus allowing them to accommodate various seating preferences and space requirements. With D-BOX, exhibitors also have the option to install seats in the entire auditorium or in select rows, putting them in control of what their D-BOX offerings will look like.
Additionally, as previously mentioned, D-BOX caters to all types of moviegoers regardless of age or preferences. With more than 65 feature films coded each year, D-BOX provides a premium experience for a broader range of titles than any other premium format. Whether it’s an action-packed blockbuster, a family-friendly animated title, a dramatic thriller or a groovy musical, D-BOX enhances the viewing experience for all genres.
Finally, since each D-BOX title is meticulously hand-coded, they all deliver a unique experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else. This personalized touch ensures that audiences keep coming back for more, driving repeat business and therefore increased box office revenue!
These are just some of the factors that make D-BOX an attractive investment for exhibitors looking to enhance their theaters with innovative technology.
One of the biggest advantages of D-BOX as a premium format is that the installation of their moving cinema seats doesn’t necessarily require any auditorium downtime. D-BOX installations can be completed overnight or even remotely, ensuring that there is no revenue loss associated with the installation and minimal interruptions to theater operations (and for moviegoers). This seamless process means that exhibitors can continue to run their theaters as usual, without any cancelled showings!
In addition to hassle-free installation, D-BOX haptic systems are made of high-quality materials designed to last. This durability translates to little to no maintenance required over the long lifetime of their systems! The robust construction and reliable performance of D-BOX cinema seats ensure than exhibitors can offer a premium experience without the constant worry of repairs, reducing operation costs and enhancing the overall efficiency of theater operations.
By choosing D-BOX as a motion seat provider, exhibitors benefit from cutting-edge technology that is both easy to install and maintain, all while providing a long-lasting solution that enhances audience engagement and box office revenue.
Not only is D-BOX one of the best premium formats when it comes to installation, but their customer support is also unmatched. They ensure that exhibitors have access to comprehensive support solutions at all times of day, designed to keep their operations running smoothly!
D-BOX's dedicated support team is available by or by , ensuring that any issues can be promptly addressed by those who know their haptic systems best. They’re best suited to always provide expert guidance and assistance!
Finally, D-BOX offers all its exhibitors a plethora of marketing assets that range from imagery, videos, logos and more to help them promote the D-BOX experience.
D-BOX ensures a seamless and efficient content delivery process for its moving cinema seats through Automatic Content Recognition (ACR). This cutting-edge delivery method offers exhibitors the best option, as it allows D-BOX's haptic systems to synchronize perfectly with the movie being played without the need for extensive manual adjustments or pre-loaded content files. The results? A highly accurate, simple and reliable delivery of their haptic effects, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
Yes, you can turn D-BOX moving seats off! Since D-BOX offers a personalized experience, each seat is equipped with individual motion controls, allowing moviegoers to adjust the intensity of the haptic effects to their preference—or to turn them off entirely.
Whether they prefer a full, immersive experience or a calmer viewing experience, D-BOX seats provide moviegoers the options to tailor the experience to their likings.
Yes, some D-BOX seats do indeed recline, providing both comfort and an immersive experience! However, you must check with your local theater to see which types of seats they offer, as D-BOX offers a wide range of moving seats—and not all of them are recliners.
As previously explained, D-BOX seats work thanks to three main elements: actuators, hand-coded haptic effects, and ACR content delivery.
The D-BOX name pays homage to the company’s origins as a manufacturer of high-quality box speakers. These speakers were designed to deliver an exceptional audio experience, but when the company noticed that the bass produced by their speakers created noticeable vibrations that enhanced the movie-watching experience, there was a pivot in their business focus—and the immersive experience known around the world today was born!
Essentially, D-BOX stands for ‘The Box’.
No, D-BOX and 3D are two different types of technologies that enhance the moviegoing experience in different ways.
3D technology adds depth to the images on screen, making it a visual enhancement. It requires special glasses for the effects to work.
D-BOX, on the other hand, does not require the moviegoer to wear any type of glasses or equipment, and it physically stimulates the moviegoer’s entire body—making it a physical enhancement as opposed to a visual one.
While there is technically a weight limit for D-BOX seats, it’s extremely unlikely that it will be reached. Each actuator can support 250 lbs—meaning that seats with 2 actuators (as most chairs are equipped with) can support 500 lbs, including the weight of the seat itself.
Absolutely, D-BOX movies are worth it for several reasons. They offer a fantastic immersive experience. With synchronized motion, vibrations, and textures, D-BOX seats make you feel like you're part of the action, significantly enhancing your emotional and physical engagement with the film. This multi-sensory experience is something traditional movie seats simply can't provide!
If you’re looking for an enhanced, engaging, and customizable movie experience that adds a physical dimension to your viewing, D-BOX is worth trying. It transforms movie-watching into a more interactive and memorable event, making every visit to the cinema a unique adventure!
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