A new focus for Leica, Pulse Cinemas and Invision UK

Some exciting news on the home cinema front as we have added the Leica brand to our distribution portfolio, including a choice of high-performance projection options with innovative use case scenarios in keeping with the diversifying market.

Leica Camera AG is an international premium manufacturer of cameras, lenses and sports optics products with over 150 years of company history.

As part of its growth strategy, the company has expanded its business to include mobile imaging (smartphones) and the manufacture of high-quality eyeglass lenses and watches, and is now represented in the home cinema segment with its own projectors.

The year 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the Leica I. First presented to the public at the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1925, it was the first mass-produced Leica 35mm camera. With its compact and handy format, it created new photographic applications and revolutionised the world of photography, giving birth to modern photojournalism and fine-art photography.

However, the company not only have an impressive record in still imaging.

Stephan Albrecht, Managing Director, Leica Smart Projection Gmbh, explains, “The projection market is a familiar environment for us. Leica was bringing projectors to the market as far back as the 1920s. Based on the company’s high level of innovation, many years of experience and know-how combined with the highest demands on optical performance and image quality, our entry into the home cinema market was the logical next step towards new business horizons and represents a promising opportunity to delight new customers with our premium products. “Our growing range of projectors, utilising the high-quality Leica Summicron lens, gives the end customer unparalleled image and picture quality along with a user-friendly, feature-rich menu powered by VIDAA, our own smart TV operating system.”

So, what is special about the Leica approach to home cinema? Stephan explains, “The fact that Leica comes with a great back story, a wealth of knowledge, respect from within our industry and a meticulous approach to R&D provides a great platform from which to release quality products to the world. Using our unique design philosophy with great minds working behind the scenes, we can harness our work ethic and vision to succeed in the home cinema market. Our vision is to be an industry market leader.”

The Leica range

After entering the home cinema market in the autumn of 2023 with the flagship Cine 1 ultra-short throw projector, the brand came to market with a vision for a four-year roadmap of products to be released regularly, offering different options for installers and customers. At this year’s ISE show, the company showcased the new Cine Play 1 long-throw projector to great reaction following the product’s official announcement in November 2024.

Stephan underlines, “Both projectors are feature-rich with innovative triple RGB laser technology for stunningly bright and vivid images, Summicron lens, Leica Image Optimisation (LIO) for superior colour accuracy, contrast and image sharpness all designed to Leica’s legendary standards".

“The Leica Cine 1 features Dolby Atmos surround sound, creating a true cinematic result and is available with 80, 100 and 120in screen sizes. The smart TV functions include seamless connectivity with streaming platforms, voice control and Apple AirPlay, ensuring a fully integrated entertainment experience."

“The Leica Cine Play 1 is designed for ultimate flexibility, with wireless streaming options via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay plus multiple ports for easy connectivity. Its compact size and low weight make it the perfect companion for home or outdoor movie nights, requiring no permanent installation.”

So, what was the reception for the products like at ISE? “In my opinion and overall, it was a great success,” says Stephan. “We were consistently busy at our booth, meeting with old and new potential dealers coming from all parts of the world. Our new deal with Pulse Cinemas and Invision UK as our official distributors for the UK was also of huge interest and attracted a lot of attention.”

Going into more depth on the products, Stephan reveals, “One of the outstanding features of the Leica Cine Play 1 is the stylish and timeless product design inspired by the Bauhaus school, with high-quality materials such as aluminium and an elegant glass front.

“The projector is very easy to set up with automatic setup functions within the menu through the remote control. Thanks to its low weight, the Cine Play 1 can be set up almost anywhere without any need for permanent installation. The Floor Stand, an optional accessory, offers added convenience, providing a sleek and stable base while eliminating the need for visible power cables."

“The Cine 1, with its motorised dust cover and iF Design Award-winning aesthetics offering clean lines and premium materials, is an elegant design statement in any living space.”

Stephan adds, “The customer may choose to purchase a cabinet to house the projectors with a motorised screen or a fixed screen, depending on their preference. Also, within the Cine 1, there is a more in-depth menu for a professional setup. Both products combine innovative technologies with enduring design. With these first two introductions, you can see the approach we are taking with first-class performance and technical abilities married to strong aesthetics and installation flexibility.”

As well as the home cinema space, Leica delivers the ability to offer solutions for office spaces, bars, retail and other commercial spaces with the Cine Play 1. The Cine 1 ultra-short throw projector works best with an ALR screen for daylight viewing and is more geared for a fixed environment where it won’t be moved around, making it more focused on the home environment.

So, there are two attractive offerings already on the table, but there are more reasons to engage with the brand, as Stephan explains, “We have a four-year roadmap which started in 2023. To date, we have released two projectors, so we are halfway through our product roadmap, which means there will be a new addition this year and then the same for next year. However, that doesn’t mean it stops there, so watch this space as we are here to stay and ultimately grow.”

Delivering this compelling offering now and for the future required the support of a proven value-added distributor. Stephan underscores the importance: “I believe this partnership is huge in terms of what Pulse Cinemas/Invision has to offer for the Leica brand to grow within our sector. With their help, knowledge, expertise and drive, which have been fostered over many years within our great industry, it is a big boost. We at Leica Smart Projection believe together we can do great things and make Leica an industry leader, and at the same time propel Pulse Cinemas/Invision to new heights in addition to all the great work they already do.”

Kapes Patel, Business Development & Technical Director at Pulse Cinemas/Invision, adds, “Projection/home cinema is moving into a new phase as we offer a wider range of customers different options from dedicated home cinema spaces to media rooms and other options in the commercial space. Leica has an incredible history and technical ability and has produced some innovative products that offer something truly unique, delivering to our customers a wider choice of options for a greater number of customers. All the usual excellent technical support, training and the ability to see the products in action are being added to the Pulse Cinemas/Invision infrastructure as we speak.”

Contact your account manager today for more info! sales@invisionuk.com