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Topic: D Cinema Equipment Review

Louis Bornwasser
Film God

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

posted 03-26-2006 06:19 PM

I agree completely. However, isn't it good that someone does attack the bleeding edge? I'm glad that is not my money. Louis

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Brad Allen
Jedi Master Film Handler

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

posted 03-27-2006 01:54 PM

I today receive a packet in the mail from "The Cinema Buying Group LLC" wanting me to join.

Whats the scoop on this? Louis? Brad M? Steve G? Mark?

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Mike Blakesley
Film God

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

posted 03-27-2006 02:34 PM

It's a group buying cooperative. They have deals with some "preferred vendors" which enable you to buy Xenon bulbs, concession items, and such at the same prices big chains supposedly get.

They are really pushing for members now so they can negotiate for D-Cinema equipment as a group. NATO is endorsing such plans, but is not naming names.

FWIW, I have compared the concession candy & paper products prices to our current supplier and found them to be quite a bit less -- but the warehouse is in New York so shipping would be an issue for us.

They have a website at www.cbgpurchasing.com .

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Brad Allen
Jedi Master Film Handler

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

posted 03-27-2006 02:47 PM

Thanks Mike. Their cover letter leads one to believe us independants will not survive the digital on slaught unless we join. They are only pushing the digital cinema aspect in the packet I received. No mention at all of concession supplies or such. The lawyer speak in it is to point of overkill.

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John Pytlak
Film God

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

posted 03-27-2006 03:09 PM

From this month's NATO In-Focus magazine:

http://www.infocusmag.com/06march/prezdesk.htm

quote:
NATO President John Fithian: "...I am concerned, nonetheless, that smaller exhibition companies should seek mechanisms to aggregate their power to obtain economies of scale for use in negotiating digital cinema equipment and service deals. One such mechanism is the Cinema Buying Group LLC, currently operating under the leadership of managing director J. Wayne Anderson."

http://www.cbgpurchasing.com/

quote:
There is strength in numbers and here's the opportunity to make your NATO membership pay off where it counts...The Bottom Line.

If you are a NATO member, or planning to become one soon, take advantage of the combined purchasing power of more than 700 independent screens across the nation, owned and operated by theatre owners like yourself.

J. Wayne Anderson is Chairman and CEO of R/C Theatres, a medium size east coast theatre circuit based in Maryland:

%]http://directories.vnuemedia.com/fjiguides/exhibition/search_results.aspx?lid=[R]%

quote:
R/C THEATRES MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
231 W. Cherry Hill Court, P.O. Box 1056
Reisterstown, MD 21136-1056
USA
(410) 526-4774
Fax: (410) 526-6871
Web: www.rctheatres.com
Year Founded: 1932
States of Operation: FL, MD, NC, PA, VA

Executive Roster: Chairman, CEO, President: J. Wayne Anderson; Executive VP, COO: Dennis R. Daniels; Senior VP, CFO: David G. Phillips; Controller: Richard A. Hershel; Office Manager: Susan Griffith; District Manager: Gerd Jakuszeit; Regional VP: David F. Knight; Director, Film Buying: Scott R. Cohen; Film Buyer and Booker: Jan S. Anderson

Wayne's wife is Mary Ann Grasso Anderson, Executive Director of NATO. Mr. Anderson has been very active in NATO, and chaired the NATO Technology Committee, and was President of the Inter-Society for the Enhancement of Cinema Presentation.

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Louis Bornwasser
Film God

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

posted 03-27-2006 03:14 PM

I get nervous when I hear:

1. "The train is leaving the station."

2. "Don't be left behind."

Louis

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Richard Fowler
Film God

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

posted 03-27-2006 03:24 PM

There has to be many more trains coming or they would not have built the station [Wink]

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John Pytlak
Film God

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

posted 03-27-2006 09:05 PM

Just pay attention to the "virtual print" business propositions being offered, and whether there are any deadlines in applying. Then choose your vendor(s) and system integrator and service provider (hopefully Kodak [Wink]

).

I still personally think it is a bit premature to not also have a film projector for each screen until experience shows there is an uninterrupted flow of features available for Digital Cinema presentation.

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Mike Blakesley
Film God

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

posted 03-28-2006 01:19 AM

I shouldn't have said "NATO is not naming names." They have mentioned the CBG but they apparently are not saying that's the only/best way for an indie to go.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 03-28-2006 08:06 AM

Needless to say as a dealer I am against such a co-op. What happens if your cheapo lamp fails... can you get a replacement lamp by the next day... or same day in some cases? What brand of lamp is it? Im my book there IS only one good lamp brand. Can you get the brand of splicing tape you like... or just the brand they sell? Do they come and replace bad bearings in your projector or a bum gear? Come on guys...... read between the lines!

Some dealers tend to customers with problems that are loyal customers first... do you want to be put off for service while your dealer takes care of his loyal customers first because you don't buy his excellent lamps that actually save you $$ in the long haul?

As for D-Cinema its possible to go at least the Christie/AIX route AND have your present dealer do the servicing on it if you insist on that to Christie.... that is if your present dealer is capable of it and is certified by Christie. So if its a standard 2K D-Cinema system you are after you'd better rally behind your dealer or who knows who with what knowledge will show up when its time to service its brreakdowns. Is the Co-Op capable and how long would you have to wait for repair or service on your cheapo D-Cinema System? There will be less expensive D-Cinema systems although using somewhat smaller projection systems that will be available for purchase by smaller theatres from their dealers just down the road a bit. Do you really need a 90K dollar D-Cinema proujector on a 20 foot or smaller screen or in a situation that barely meets it's expenses? As a group all you theatre owners could also form a buying Co-Op with just about any of your dealers for what ever stuff you want to buy. Who are these Co-Op guys from PettiCoat Junction and will their train even make it to the Hooterville Station? I seriously doubt it!

Mark

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Matt Fields
Jedi Master Film Handler

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

posted 03-28-2006 08:45 AM

I've looked into the CBG, and if you sign up you do not have to buy all of your stuff (splicing tape, lamps) through them.

The major exception is the one time D Cinema conversion (given, thats a major exception), where they pretty much insist, that by joining the group, you are agreeing to use the equipment that the CBG procures for you.

The problem still exists, like Fithian said, for the small guy to be able to get in on this one-time third party equipment
deal. There are no assurances from the studios, as far as I know, that everyone will get in on the deal, so maybe joining the group makes sense.

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Louis Bornwasser
Film God

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

posted 03-28-2006 11:40 AM

Fithian has stated publically that "probably not all" of the little guys will be accomodated even with the BG. Louis

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