Auracast™ LOCATION PROFILE
MOVIX
About this location
Key stats
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Venue type: Cinema
Location size: 1,800 to 2,500 seats per multiplex
Auracast™ equipment installed: Bettear
Installation: Installed by Eyear System Co., Ltd.
MOVIX, a Japanese cinema chain operated by Shochiku Multiplex Theaters (SMT), has 20 locations nationwide, including prominent venues such as Shinjuku Piccadilly, Marunouchi Piccadilly, Kumamoto Piccadilly, and Togeki. Each theater complex features multiple screens, premium sound systems, and serves as a cultural hub for film audiences in its region.
As part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing the moviegoing experience, SMT has introduced Auracast™ broadcast audio at select locations, including MOVIX Kawaguchi, Kameari, Shimizu, and Miyoshi, with a focus on improving accessibility for guests with hearing loss.
The problem statement
Cinema environments present significant challenges for assistive listening. Complex soundscapes, combining dialogue, music, sound effects, and deep bass, can make it difficult for those using hearing aids or cochlear implants to distinguish speech clearly. Traditional assistive technologies, such as infrared systems, have struggled to deliver consistent, high-quality audio in these conditions. SMT needed a more flexible and reliable solution that could provide a natural listening experience, particularly for users who rely on personal hearing devices.
The Auracast™ solution
Deployment
SMT implemented an Auracast™ broadcast audio solution using the Bettear CASTER transmitter, installed by Eyear System Co., Ltd. This system allows audio to be broadcast directly to users’ own compatible hearing devices, earphones, or headphones. For users without Auracast™ enabled equipment, receivers such as the Bettear RTX enable compatibility through neck loops and Bluetooth® transmitters, ensuring accessibility for cochlear implant users as well.
Introduced as a complement to the existing infrared system, the deployment enables a broader range of assistive options while maintaining support for all device types. This rollout represents the first permanent, real-world cinema installation of Auracast™ broadcast audio in Japan, moving beyond demonstrations into everyday operation.
Benefits
User feedback has highlighted significant improvements in audio clarity and intelligibility. In testing, users reported being able to clearly hear more than 80 percent of the dialogue, even within acoustically complex film environments. Notably, cochlear implant users experienced no audio misalignment when using Auracast™ broadcast audio alongside their processor microphones, addressing a key concern around latency.
Compared to previous systems, users reported more consistent sound quality and improved comprehension. The system also simplifies access by allowing guests to use their own personal devices, enhancing convenience and reducing reliance on specialized equipment.
“The Auracast™️ installation at MOVIX in Tokyo highlights how advanced wireless audio can transform the cinema experience for people with hearing loss,” said Ariel Caner from Bettear. “By delivering synchronized, high‑fidelity audio directly to personal devices, Auracast™️ broadcast audio significantly improves verbal clarity in complex movie soundtracks. The system also enables true free seating, allowing every guest to choose any seat in the auditorium without compromising audio access. MOVIX is setting a new benchmark for inclusive entertainment.”
Beyond hearing assistance, the solution offers additional flexibility, with potential applications including audio description services for visually impaired audiences and delivery of foreign-language audio tracks for international visitors.
A look ahead
SMT views Auracast™ broadcast audio as a strong candidate for the next generation of assistive listening systems. Its combination of sound quality, low latency, and ease of deployment positions it as a compelling alternative to legacy technologies like infrared and hearing loop systems.
As device compatibility expands, particularly with anticipated support from cochlear implant manufacturers, the potential reach and impact of the technology are expected to grow. SMT encourages other venues to consider Auracast™ broadcast audio as a future-ready solution for improving accessibility while enhancing the overall audience experience.
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