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Topic: D Cinema Equipment Review

Mike Blakesley
Film God

Posts: 12767
From: Forsyth, Montana
Registered: Jun 99

posted 03-21-2006 02:34 PM

quote: Richard Fowler
great for "Mon and Pop" situations

What does that mean? "Not as good as the big boys but good enough to get by?" Not acceptable for this mom'n'pop. I want good stuff.

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Clint Koch
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1435
From: San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 03-21-2006 02:38 PM

Thank you Richard for the comment. Marks comment above is not completely accurate. Granted we did assemble the final box at the last minute as metal arrived late, however the unit is based on a complete server product we did for the Asian market last year. We did show the Asian unit at Cine Asia in December 2005. For full specs on the unit please feel free to e-mail me. We will be putting the specs on our web-site shortly. USL is fully committed to being involved in Digital Cinema.

Edit by Clint...

Mom and Pop to USL means that we will be affordable and not price ourselves out of the market. It will be good stuff.

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Scott Norwood
Film God

Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 03-21-2006 02:43 PM

How does the current generation of video server connect to existing sound equipment? Do the units have six channels' worth of analog line outputs, or is the output digital (AES/EBU, Dolby E, etc.)? How would one set these up in theatres without a full 5.1 sound system (for example, theatres with a 4-channel Dolby system, a front/surround system, or a mono system)?

Also, how do these units interface with existing automation systems?

I'm not terribly up to date with the latest [dlp]

equipment; the only system that I have operated was an early-generation 1K TI unit with a Qubit server.

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Thomas Jonsson
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 216
From: Bromolla, Sweden
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 03-21-2006 02:57 PM

I guess two of the main players are Barco´s DP90 or DP 100 and
Christie´s CP2000 projectors. Any idea which performs best?

Thomas

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Matt Fields
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 545
From: Ohio, United States
Registered: Jun 2005

posted 03-21-2006 03:38 PM

quote: Richard Fowler
I have seen very good results with GDC and Quvis units.

But will GDC or Quvis be around in ten years if their systems don't take off? I'm scared to buy something that is not from a more established company like Dolby or Christie where at least I've had good experience with their products in the past.

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John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 03-21-2006 03:52 PM

Please consider Kodak Digital Cinema too. [thumbsup]

Kodak has been a part of the motion-picture industry for well over 100 years! Kodak scanner and recorder technology has been used for special effects and Digital Intermediates for almost two decades. Kodak first developed the file formats (Cineon/DPX) capable of recording the massive amounts of data contained in motion picture images. Most of the digital cinema presentations made over the last 6 years have been mastered using Kodak technology like the scanner in the Thomson "Spirit" datacine, and Kodak is the leading independent supplier of digital systems for pre-show theatre entertainment.

http://www.kodak.com/go/dcinema

quote:
The Kodak Digital Cinema system — for pre-show applications and feature presentations — is supported by Kodak's worldwide field service and support force. Taken together, the systems and services provide a full 'menu of choices' to enable customers to get started with Kodak today and to stay with Kodak as their digital cinema needs evolve.

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Richard Fowler
Film God

Posts: 2392
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA
Registered: Jun 2001

posted 03-21-2006 03:55 PM

Hmmm Barco could buy out Christie and Dolby and NEC could buy them all [Big Grin]

. GDC has more than 500 units in operation, is software based so it is easily upgradeable, has patents and research depth. Quvis, a digital cinema pioneer, has been around in broadcast and some of their cutting edge ideas are now industry standards. DCI standards will level the playing field so hopefully all "brands" should give some comfort level [Wink]

Jack Cashin's "mom and pop" evaluation for his USL server was for ease of use, non intimidating operation and layout / cost point....all in the very best intentions, which Jack always aims for [Cool]

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Matt Fields
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 545
From: Ohio, United States
Registered: Jun 2005

posted 03-21-2006 04:09 PM

I haven't ruled out any particular company (including Kodak, I have one of Kodak's Digital Cameras that I like very much), nor do I know alot about all of the companies. That's why I'm asking questions.

Basically, the transition to D Cinema is coming and I want to be prepared. - Matt

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Martin Brooks
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 900
From: Forest Hills, NY, USA
Registered: May 2002

posted 03-25-2006 08:44 PM

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
I don't quite ageree that both will exist together, especially in new builds done starting now. New builds show just the opposite of that. There are 20 digital only screens going in SLC in the next two months.

How can that be? Only a small percentage of films have been released digitally. I count only 19 digital releases in 2005 and and so far, only 18 released or planned for 2006. Even if the number if double that, you can't keep a multiplex filled on 36 films a year.

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Gary Davidson
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 101
From: Santa Monica, CA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 03-25-2006 09:45 PM

I heard Kurt Hall (head of National CineMedia) speak a couple of weeks ago at the Entertainment Technology Center here in Hollywood. He thinks the rollout of D-cinema in theatres is going to happen a lot slower than people think. In fact, he seemed pissed off by both sticker cost, as well as the hidden â€œoperational costsâ€ to switch everything over to digital. A sensible mindset I think. He said the soonest a digital rollout would take place in his theatres is 2007.

From an outsiderâ€™s point of view there seems to me to be a disconnect between what d-cinema tech companies are offering and what exhibition (at least the big boys) want.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 03-25-2006 10:37 PM

We have one new 20 plex here in SLC that will be 50% digital only and open in the next few months. All of the big studios have promised product to show on them... except for Warners. They are the only biggie that has not signed up "digitally" yet. Fortunately our customers "digital projects" are later towards the end of the year giving time for alot of this do-do to get ironed out. Provided product is available by then we will still reccomend an 80% digital capacity with the other 20% equipped for either film only or both formats.

Mark

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Paul Van Dusen
Film Handler

Posts: 82
From: Roanoke, VA
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 03-25-2006 10:57 PM

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
I don't quite ageree that both will exist together, especially in new builds done starting now. New builds show just the opposite of that.

Oddly enough, from what I've been told Carmike isn't doing this for their change overs. Someone was telling me that the new theatre they're building in the next town is going to have 35mm and then convert to digital. He said it had something to do with the fact that Christie doesn't do brand new installs of their digital systems, only upgrades. Strange but I guess there's a reason.

**Edited to Protect the Innocent**

[ 03-26-2006, 11:03 AM: Message edited by: Paul Van Dusen ]

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 03-26-2006 10:10 AM

Paul,
Since anyone involved with this program HAS to sign a Non-Disclosure agreement with Christie I would seriously doubt anything that he is telling you. He should be careful at least at what info he does give out if he has signed the agreement. I tend to take ANYTHING that comes from anyone at any Carmike level or has to do with them with a grain of salt. I know alot more than I can or would be willing post here myself. So all you mainstream folks will have to rely on whats on the Christie web site as the only accurate disclosable info.....

Mark

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Louis Bornwasser
Film God

Posts: 4441
From: prospect ky usa
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 03-26-2006 10:36 AM

As of now, every single "digital only" screen has had to add 35mm to get open. This could, however, change. Louis

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Brad Allen
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 688
From: Evansville, IN, USA
Registered: May 2000

posted 03-26-2006 01:25 PM

This seems really boneheaded, why put in digital at all if it still has be "backed up" with 35mm.

Playing around on the bleeding edge isn't a pretty sight.

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