Sony's SRX-R320 Projector
If Sony wanted to make a big splash at Cinema Expo in Amsterdam this past week then they did one heck of a job. On Tuesday, the second day of the conference, Sony announced two exhibitor agreements with National Amusements and AMC Entertainment’s United Kingdom based theatres for digital conversions. The company, known for its 4K digital cinema solution, also struck up partnerships with three European digital cinema dealers.
National Amusements
The biggest of these announcements had to be the news that National Amusements had chosen Sony as their integrator. The theatre chainis one of the largest in the world, operating 950 screens across venues in the U.K., United States and Latin America. National Amusements is the fifth largest theatre chain in North America.
Under their existing virtual print fee (VPF) agreements with Hollywood studios, Sony will install their 4K digital cinema projectors on all of National Amusements’ screens. They will start immediately with Showcase Cinemas, National Amusements’ U.K. theatre chain where Sony Digital Cinema 4K systems will be deployed on all 276 screens. In an effort to quickly ramp up the number of 3D screens at the circuits disposal, Sony will install the first 24 systems before the end of July.
There was no mention when installation of d-cinema equipment would begin in the U.S. or South America. In fact the press release seemed purposefully non-committal, referring to the deal as an “expected global exhibitor agreement”. One could read into the use of the word “expected” or assume that Sony will be deploying equipment to the 450 screens National Amusements has in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island. The theatre chain owns 16 theatres in South America which would probably be included in any worldwide rollout.
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Popularity: 15% [?]
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: 56% [?]
Pan-European digital cinema integrator XDC has found a local implementation partner in the United Kingdom (and Ireland?) in the form of Sound Associates. No word on whether XDC have had any more luck in signing up UK exhibitor clients than rival Arts Alliance Media – or whether they have finalized any VPF deals for that matter – but if and when it looks like they will be ready to serve them well. From the press release:
Jerry Murdoch, Sales & Marketing Manager for Sound Associates, said: “Initially, Sound Associates will provide sales & marketing support to XDC in UK. Once a contract is signed, we will carry out the site inspections and detail any related necessary infrastructure work. We will then install the equipment (including any stereoscopic (3D) systems), and provide on-site training, on-site annual maintenance visits and of course, if necessary, call-outs. The helpdesk and monitoring support will still be serviced by XDC as their staff is fluent in English. We are delighted to collaborate with XDC … we have known them for a long time, and they have built the most comprehensive digital cinema service entity in Europe.”
Some will remember that SA were the installation partner for AAM in the first phase of the Digital Screen Network deployment, before AAM dispensed with their services and went it alone for phase two. Perhaps not surprising that SA should throw in its lot with XDC.
Popularity: 22% [?]
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