ISDCF Chairman Jerry Pierce
On Tuesday at the AMC Burbank 16 in Burbank, CA, the Inter-Society Digital Cinema Forum (ISDCF) held a luminance level demonstration of digital 3D content which had been mastered for different light levels. The ISDCF is not a standards body and thus the demo was not a test, but simply a way for industry professionals to see what 3D content would look like at brighter levels than the 4 foot-lamberts (ftL) to 4.5 ftL that is common luminance for most 3D movies today. One of the goals was to examine the emotional and technical impact of screening the content at different luminance levels.
Speaking of the content, material from the following films was shown:
- “Journey To The Center of the Earth 3D”
- “Miley Ray Cyrus/Hannah Montana: Best of Both Worlds”
- “The Polar Express”
- “Tokyo Mater”
- “U2:3D”
A brand new Christie XD projector was brought in and connected to Doremi DSVJ2 server. Since it already existed at the theatre, the RealD XLS system was employed as the 3D technology. As well, RealD’s dynamic EQ was used to “ghostbust” the content as it was piped between the server and the projector. The Christie projector was set to triple flash (show each frame three times per eye).
Unfortunately, the ISDCF did not receive raw footage so that they could be timed from scratch. Instead they received material that had already been mastered for 4.5 ftL. Any adjustments made to master the content for higher luminance levels were made on top of this. As well, all of the clips were either set at night or were indoors. There was no daylight footage. All of the clips were originally shot on digital rather than film.
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Popularity: 60% [?]
The UK’s largest exhibitor Odeon (formed through the merger with UCI) has selected Real Image’s Qube server and projectors from NEC to extend the company’s digital cinema and (particularly) digital 3D reach.
From the Qube press release:
Odeon and UCI Cinemas Choose Qube Servers Qube XP-D servers chosen in 111 screen 3D digital cinema rollout in Europe
Qube XP-D 
Digital Cinema Server
The Qube XP-D digital cinema server has been chosen by ODEON and UCI Cinemas – Europe’s largest cinema operators – to be a part of their current 111 screen digitization plan across Europe.
Already playing Disney’s “Bolt” in digital 3D in Portugal for several weeks, Qube has recently commenced commercial digital 3D screenings across the UK with “My Bloody Valentine”.
The digitization plan of ODEON and UCI Cinemas is in response to the significant number of digital 3D productions scheduled for release from 2009, ensuring that the audiences across Europe can enjoy the latest films in state-of-the-art cinema technology.
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Popularity: 66% [?]
Much to no-one’s surprise, French cinema chain CGR will use Doremi servers for their digital cinema deployment with Arts Alliance Media (AAM). This has less to do with both companies being French (though it doesn’t exactly hurt) than with AAM’s new found love for Doremi after the costly tech divorce from QuVis. More details on the technology providers and plans from the press release:
CGR Cinémas chose Doremi’s DCP-2000 server out of the brands evaluated and selected by AAM. Christie Digital has been chosen to provide digital cinema projectors and French cinema integration and services company Cine Digital Service will provide local installation and support services.
Two hundred screens are scheduled to be completed during the first year of the rollout that is set to begin in the first quarter of 2008. Eight screens will be equipped in December this year, in time for 3D digital cinema screenings during the Christmas holidays. In addition to the players, Doremi Cinema will also provide the Theater Management System (TMS) and the gateway integration with CGR Cinémas POS/Ticketing system developped [sic] by Monnaie Services. The Smartjog secured media delivery network will also be interfaced with the DCP2000 & TMS.
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Popularity: 28% [?]
AccessIT, the company that kick started the roll-out of digital cinema in the United States, has given details of its ‘Phase Two’ deployment plans. With the goal of the first 4,000 digital screens now in sight, the speculation had been whether they could extend the first phase to the ofte-stated aspiration of next converting a further 10,000 screens. While there are no hard specifics in the press release, there is plenty enough to suggest that it wll happen:
Further solidifying its global leadership in Digital Cinema, Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. (”AccessIT”) today announced its intent to provide up to an additional 10,000 networked Digital Cinema systems to exhibitors across the United States and Canada. The Company has reached substantial agreement with several of the major movie distributors who fully supported its initial “Phase One” deployment of close to 3,750 screens, completed last month. Agreements are structured so they may be amended to international deployment as well. AccessIT also is in active negotiations with several exhibition chains that were ready to commit to “Phase One” but were unable to participate due to timing. This “Phase Two” deployment is anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2008 and to continue for three years. While AccessIT has not yet executed final agreements, announcements regarding studio and exhibitor signings are expected shortly.
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Popularity: 24% [?]
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