At CES 2022, BMW has revealed the Theatre Screen, its new in-car technology for luxury cars which descends a 31-inch display from the roof to transform the back seats into a “private cinema lounge.” The display has a 32:9 aspect ratio, but can play content at 16:9, 21:9, or 32:9 aspect ratios. The screen itself is an 8K panel with a resolution close to 8000 x 2000 pixels.
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Interestingly, it is a Fire TV device, which naturally runs Fire OS. Fire OS is a forked version of Android, and is tightly integrated into the Amazon ecosystem. So like other TVs, tablets and dongles running Fire OS, it can access most modern video streaming services and other Fire TV apps to stream over the car’s own 5G connection.
It is a big touchscreen, but can also be controlled via small touchpad controls built into the rears doors. The BMW Theatre Screen is paired with Theatre Mode, which is a massive sound system of more than 30 speakers from Bowers & Wilkins. BMW describes the sound as being “4D” because it includes speakers built into the rear seats themselves so viewers can feel the audio vibrations in more intense moments.
According to BMW, when the screen is lowered from the ceiling “the roller sunblinds for the side windows and the rear window are closed and the ambient lighting in the rear of the vehicle is dimmed.” This will only further enhance the cinema feel they company is intending to replicate.
A select few people had the opportunity to have a hands-on experience. BMW hasn’t announced when this system might be added to its vehicles or how much it will cost. At the event, BMW’s presenter said that the features “look quite similar to what will be launched very soon in series production.”
