Tech
Specs, Biz Plan To Emerge At End of 2003
DCI Talks Standards,
Deployment Timetable
ORLANDO,
Fla. – Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) is
working to establish a set of uniform technical specifications
and to facilitate the development of a viable deployment
plan for digital cinema by the end of 2003, DCI chief exec
Chuck Goldwater told delegates at October’s ShowEast
convention in Orlando, Fla.
DCI
is also looking to begin its initial in-house testing by
early 2003, followed by a period of field testing in theatres,
and to complete a final draft of its technical specifications
by the end of 2003, DCI chief technical officer Walt Ordway
told exhibs gathered at a Oct. 9 ShowEast panel titled “The
D-Cinema Standard Process – Where Are We?”
Originally
dubbed NewCo Digital Cinema, DCI was formed last May by
seven major film studios to, in Goldwater’s
words, “establish uniform specifications for digital
cinema and to facilitate the development of a business plan
that could lead to an orderly rollout of digital cinema.”
Experts
agree that an industry-wide switch from celluloid to digital
would significantly reduce distribution costs – by
eliminating the hundreds of millions of dollars the studios
spend annually to strike celluloid prints.
“Our goal,” Goldwater told In
Focus, “is for both
the technical standards and the business plan to be
workable for all the players involved, including exhibitors, distributors,
filmmakers, manufacturers and vendors.
“Uniform standards is a goal that should serve all the constituent
groups, so we don’t have the issue of multiple,
incompatible systems like the one that was created
by the introduction
of digital sound to cinemas. The uniform specifications
DCI is seeking hopefully will also lead to a system
with worldwide
compatibility.”
Manufacturers of digital cinema systems already
appear to be reacting to studio-backed DCI’s
plans.
The
Los Angeles Times reported Nov. 21 that Technicolor
Digital Cinema (TDC) has put its plans to sell
digital projection
systems to exhibitors “on hold.”
Two
days before the Times story, The Hollywood Reporter relayed
that TDC had closed its business
development
and exhibitor
relations departments. 
TV Network Heads to The Cinemas
Regal, NBC Team For Preshows
NEW YORK – TV network NBC and Regal Entertainment Group
(REG) subsidiary Regal CineMedia (RCM) announced on Oct. 21
plans for a multi-year marketing and programming exchange.
Plans
call for short-form entertainment content to be provided
by NBC and presented on REG screens prior to feature presentations. “NBC
will also utilize RCM’s in-lobby 42-inch in-lobby plasma
screens and its digital out-of-home video screens in its network
of fast-service restaurants and convenience stores for advertising
and promotional opportunities,” read a REG press release.
NBC’s Digital Content Network will be installed at approximately
400 Regal sites by the end of 2003, with other markets expected
to be added throughout the year.
“As
an industry leader in quality programming and innovative
technological advancements, we are delighted to be working
with NBC to present entertainment that is compelling
and enjoyable for our theatre patrons prior to the movie
feature,” said
Cliff Marks, RCM president of marketing and sales. “We
are confident that our high-quality digital presentation
and 40-foot theatre screen, coupled with NBC’s
distinctive and original content programming, will provide
a powerful national
platform for marketers and significantly enhance our
audience’s
moviegoing experience.”
RCM
has already utilized its network to project live promotional
rock concerts and the Sept. 7 CSU at UCLA
football game
(In
Focus, November 2002).
