Cinema technology R&D, conducted openly, with results made available to the industry at cost. No profit motive. No closed doors.
The theatrical experience is one of the most technically complex forms of mass entertainment. Yet the pace of innovation in cinema technology is often dictated by the commercial interests of a small number of large vendors, leaving meaningful improvements locked behind licensing fees, proprietary ecosystems, and profit margins.
Onyx Labs was founded to work differently. As an independent research initiative, we don't answer to shareholders or licensing revenue targets. Our work is published openly, and when hardware is involved, it's designed to be built and deployed at cost.
We publish our work while it's still in progress. Technical documents, specifications, and concept papers are shared publicly from the earliest stages, not just when they're polished. This lets studios, exhibitors, manufacturers, and researchers engage with our work while it can still be meaningfully shaped by their input.
Every proposal page on this site includes a public discussion thread specifically for technical feedback. We actively read and respond to input from industry professionals. If you work at a company that touches the theatrical supply chain in any way, your perspective is valuable to us.
Specifications, research, and technical documents are published openly. Closed development only happens when security demands it.
When Onyx Labs develops physical hardware, it's designed to be manufactured and sold at cost. No margins. No licensing fees.
Our audience is the cinema industry. We design for the people who build, operate, and supply theatrical infrastructure.
Onyx Labs is not affiliated with any studio, exhibitor, or equipment manufacturer. Our research agenda is our own.
Whether you're at a studio, an exhibitor, a technology manufacturer, or just someone with relevant expertise, we want to hear from you. Onyx Labs operates through collaboration, and the quality of our work depends on the quality of engagement we get from the industry.
Contact Onyx Labs