BMW shows off huge 31-inch in-car screen to keep backseat passengers entertained

BMW has revealed a new in-car technology it’s calling Theatre Screen at this yr’s CES. It’s not clear when or if this huge 31-inch, 32:9 show shall be made obtainable to shoppers, however BMW suggests it may be fitted someway into the ceiling of luxurious automobiles, descending to remodel the again seats right into a “non-public cinema lounge.”

The screen itself has an 8K decision of roughly 8000 x 2000 and may play content material with a 16:9, 21:9, or 32:9 side ratio. It’s operating Amazon’s Hearth OS working system, which suggests it ought to have entry to most trendy video streaming providers and different Hearth TV apps that may stream over the automotive’s personal 5G connection. It’s a touchscreen show, and there are additionally small touchpad controls constructed into the rear doorways of the automotive.

The screen is 31 inches massive, with a facet ratio of 32:9.

Picture: BMW

Theatre Mode contains encompass sound, in fact, with a system consisting of over 30 audio system from Bowers & Wilkins. BMW describes the sound as being “4D” as a result of it contains audio system constructed into the rear seats themselves so viewers can really feel the audio vibrations in additional intense moments. When the screen descends from the ceiling, BMW says “the curler sunblinds for the facet home windows and the rear window are closed and the ambient lighting within the rear of the automobile is dimmed.” Actually, it feels like a superb approach to watch a movie.

BMW has a functioning prototype of the theater screen constructed right into a automotive on the CES present flooring with which BMWBlog had a hands-on expertise. The corporate tried to obscure the precise mannequin of the automotive the system was put in in, and wouldn’t reply questions on its identification, however BMWBlog notes that it seems to be part of the corporate’s luxurious 7 Collection.

The corporate has but to announce when the system may be obtainable to clients or how a lot it may find yourself costing. However through the firm’s CES presentation, BMW’s presenter mentioned that the options “look fairly related to what shall be launched very quickly in sequence manufacturing.” That implies it’d seem earlier than BMW’s different massive CES tech announcement, its color-changing E Ink automotive, which it characterised as an “superior analysis and design challenge.”