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Topic: Regal to go 100% Sony 4K?

Lyle Romer
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1400
From: Davie, FL, USA
Registered: May 2002

posted 05-18-2009 10:18 AM

Does anybody live close enough to a Sony 4k equipped theater to check out how Angels and Demons looks?

According to the Sony press release about the premier, the DCP is 4k.

As an aside, does anybody know if they used a 4k DI for the 35mm release prints?

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Chris Slycord
Film God

Posts: 2986
From: 청주시, 경북도, South Korea
Registered: Mar 2007

posted 05-18-2009 11:29 AM

quote: Brad Miller
Ultimately what will happen is that the box office sales will show that 4K doesn't sell any extra tickets than a 2K theater does and thus, no need for 4K "prints".

And I think someone at the chains will say "Huh, I didn't think getting 4K wooouldn't increase ticket sales" and then think that maybe it's because no 4K material is being released.

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
Er, ahhh Bobby... Thats the area where the Sony 4K system falls apart. The largest screen you could attempt to cover is about 45' wide. There just are not enough lumens available for anything much larger.

He said exactly that. He said that 4K would be an improvement for large screens but that the current 4K system doesn't get bright enough for it.

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Scott Norwood
Film God

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

posted 05-18-2009 12:00 PM

How was 70mm justified in the past? I can't imagine that 70mm prints increased total ticket sales (as opposed to ticket sales at a specific locaion) by any significant number, but the prints were still made for the sale of better sound and picture quality.

What about magnetic and, later, Dolby stereo prints? Again, these were (and are) still made available, yet they were not likely to increase total ticket sales.

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David Stambaugh
Film God

Posts: 4021
From: Eugene, Oregon
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 05-18-2009 12:46 PM

Official Regal Press Release on the Sony 4K deal

Regal Entertainment Group to Install Sony 4K Digital Cinema Projection Systems Across Entire Circuit
Sony's state-of-the-art 4K projection systems produce the highest levels of resolution, contrast and image quality for Regal's patrons

Knoxville, Tennessee and Park Ridge, New Jersey, May 18, 2009 - Regal Entertainment Group, the largest motion picture exhibitor in the world, and Sony Electronics announced an agreement for the installation of Sony 4K digital projection systems across its entire circuit over the next 3 to 5 years, which will create the most extensive 4K deployment to date.

"The rollout of these Sony 4K systems gives Regal the opportunity to utilize the latest technology to provide our patrons the best available presentation," said Amy Miles, Regal Entertainment Group's incoming chief executive officer. "Sony's state-of-the-art 4K systems produce the highest levels of resolution, contrast and overall image quality."

Approximately 1,500 of the Regal screens will also be outfitted for 3D digital projection, using Sony's newly introduced dual-lens adaptor technology.

"Regal has always been at the forefront of merging technology with entertainment to create a dynamic movie-going experience," said Gary Johns, vice president and head of of Sony Electronics' digital cinema business. "The innovative design and capabilities of the 4K projectors' are a perfect fit for supporting their commitment to deliver not only the highest-quality 2D and 3D digital projection, but also alternative content, live theatrical events and more."

Sony 4K projectors offer the highest image resolution of all projection technologies, producing 8.8 million pixels. 4K technology provides image resolution four times greater than 2K projection systems and slightly more than four times greater than high-definition.

The Regal and Sony agreement is part of an initiative being led by Digital Cinema Implementation Partners, LLC (DCIP), an organization formed in 2007 by Regal Entertainment Group, AMC Entertainment and Cinemark USA, Inc. DCIP is charged with planning and implementing the deployment of digital cinema.

About Regal Entertainment Group
Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) is the largest motion picture exhibitor in the world. The Company's theatre circuit, comprising Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatres and Edwards Theatres, operates 6,763 screens in 547 locations in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Regal operates theatres in all of the top 33 and 44 of the top 50 U.S. designated market areas. We believe that the size, reach and quality of the Company's theatre circuit not only provide its patrons with a convenient and enjoyable movie-going experience, but is also an exceptional platform to realize economies of scale in theatre operations.

About Sony Electronics
Sony Electronics Inc. is headquartered in San Diego, Calif. and is a leading provider of audio/video electronics and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, design, engineering, manufacturing, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service. Sony's Broadcast and Business Solutions Company develops and manufactures video and audio technologies for professional applications including its 4K projectors for digital cinema, as well as technologies for broadcast television and motion picture production, event videography, ENG/EFP, digital cinematography, videoconferencing, IP surveillance and security, digital signage, and remote system diagnostics and monitoring. For more information about Sony's 4K projectors, visit Sony 4K Digital Cinema

Media Contacts:
Dick Westerling
Regal Entertainment Group
Sr. VP Marketing & Advertising
865-925-9539

Tom Di Nome
Sony Electronics
Sr. Public Relations Manager
201-930-6357

EDIT: Fixed the broken url in the press release.

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Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 05-18-2009 12:50 PM

quote: Scott Norwood
How was 70mm justified in the past?

Course, I'm a little late in this era when entering in the projectionist's field, but where I came from, if one wanted to see a 70mm of any film, we would have to travel over 200 miles (to SLC from E. Idaho) to see a 70mm, and let alone, a stereo sound film.

I did have mag-optical at the theatre that I worked at and did run two mag/opticals: 1976-King Kong and 1978-Fantasia stereo sound reissue.

Thus, for example the features that I would take the dandy trip to witness:

1976-Logan's Run (Centre Theatre)
1977-Star Wars (Centre Theatre)
1979-Alien (Centre Theatre)
1980-Empire Strikes Back (Centre Theatre)
1981-Raiders of the Lost Ark (Villa Theatre-played over a year here)
1982-E.T. (Crossroads Plaza..mediocre presentation)
1982-Tron (Regency)
1983-Return of the Jedi (Centre Theatre)
1984-Temple of doom(Villa Theatre)
1988-Willow (Cottonwood)

(Sadly, all of these above theatres are now closed..)

70mm, in the SLC area, was treated like going to a special event. the main advantage is that the tix price wasn't different than a regular 35mm house.

(Whoops - Dave, that link is broken on your post above..-Monte)

-Monte

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David Stambaugh
Film God

Posts: 4021
From: Eugene, Oregon
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 05-18-2009 01:09 PM

Thanks Monte, have fixed the link. It was embedded in the press release and I didn't try it when I was posting.

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Bobby Henderson
"Ask me about Trajan."

Posts: 10973
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 05-18-2009 01:58 PM

quote: Scott Norwood
How was 70mm justified in the past? I can't imagine that 70mm prints increased total ticket sales (as opposed to ticket sales at a specific locaion) by any significant number, but the prints were still made for the sale of better sound and picture quality.

I went out of my way to see 70mm presentations of certain movies when the opportunity presented itself. But then I'm not the "typical movie goer" either. It was fairly easy to see 70mm shows when I lived in New York. The only pain was commuting into Manhattan as opposed to merely watching the 35mm version out in Staten Island. I've driven 200 miles or more each way to see certain 70mm screenings in Atlanta or Dallas.

If a theater remotely as good as the Northpark 1-2 in Dallas was showing movies in 70mm I'd still drive a good distance to see the show, especially if the principal photography was in 65mm.

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Joe Redifer
You need a beating today

Posts: 12859
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: May 99

posted 05-18-2009 02:43 PM

All my predictions were correct right down to the release of the announcement. Yay me.

quote: Brad Miller
Ultimately what will happen is that the box office sales will show that 4K doesn't sell any extra tickets than a 2K theater does and thus, no need for 4K "prints".

This is true for the time being. But remember that computer power increases exponentially and very, very fast. A few years down the road, doing 4K will be very easy and certainly not any more time consuming. It requires no extra effort by anyone to make a 4K "print", only processing time and hard drive space. You wouldn't expect whoever handles that to keep using the same computers and the same versions of the software they are using right now forever, would you? They will always be updating, and being able to quickly process 4K will come with that change. It will be a question of "why not?" instead of "why?" Hell, studios still put SDDS on release prints and we know that sure as hell doesn't increase ticket sales. 4K prints as the norm will happen.

Granted, I don't think there will be much effort put in to developing something better than 4K for the cinema.

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Tony Bandiera Jr
Film God

Posts: 3067
From: Moreland Idaho
Registered: Apr 2004

posted 05-18-2009 03:22 PM

All this proves is that Regal are as big of dumbasses as AMC.

I hope both chains go under from this incredibly stupid decision. They deserve to fail.

Sony cannot and will not ever provide the support that a company like Christie or Dolby does.

Every time I think this industry can't get any dumber, along comes something like this....

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Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 05-18-2009 04:02 PM

Interesting. Thus, going back with my "digital complex" question after seeing both sides of the discussion ... what to do since it really sounds like a toughie to which side of the fence to fall over on...all depends on the "supply and demand" of which format is more easily used and how much support there will be.

Now, to drift on the 4k side - which has a hint of the HD-DVD/BR wars: Would Christie/NEC and Barco test the waters in the LCoS format, or are they tied up with TI and the DLP format-which looks like it's definitely locked in with the 2k resolution?

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-18-2009 04:05 PM

Actually... Even to me... the doubter... I see the nail part way driven into DLP's coffen as I type this. I now pretty much agree with Heir Guttag that T.I. could and may pull the plug on DLP. This is way too large of a coverage margin for me to ignore Sony any longer.

Mark

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David Stambaugh
Film God

Posts: 4021
From: Eugene, Oregon
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 05-18-2009 04:58 PM

The AMC deal with Sony 4K was one thing. Everyone could roll their eyes and laugh and ask "Anyone remember AMC and SDDS? What is AMC smoking?" For Regal to also go Sony 4K now seems like it gives Sony new credibility and puts an end to the laughing. Maybe. I'm just saying.

Monte: I bet Christie has something running in the their skunkworks using Sony 4K LCOS/SXRD. They have to have a fallback plan. Of course that's assuming Sony would license it to a competitor.

Anyone know where Sony assembles their projectors and what their production capacity is (or will be)? Is their product even considered "in full production" yet?

EDIT

quote: Bobby Henderson
Unfortunately it seems the current 4K projector models don't put out the levels of brightness available from 2K projectors. That's a deal breaker for giant sized screens. It is pretty critical for Sony (and others) to improve their projector designs.

New Sony Anamorphic Lens LKRL-A001 for 2D is claimed to achieve 14fl on screens up to 70 feet wide.

Spring 2009 issue of Sony 4K Digital Cinema Newsletter addresses at least one previous question in this thread: Is "Angels and Demons" 4K? (it is).

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Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!

Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 05-18-2009 05:07 PM

Stop it! Stop it!....I can NOT have Mark agreeing with ME! [Eek!]

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-18-2009 06:20 PM

quote: David Stambaugh
I bet Christie has something running in the their skunkworks using Sony 4K LCOS/SXRD. They have to have a fallback plan. Of course that's assuming Sony would license it to a competitor.

I don't agree 100% yet Steve but I'm not far from it but it has given me due cause to go job searching a bit!!

Christie certainly has the most to loose from a T.I. shutdown. Strong would vanish in a nuclear flash(no loss really!). NEC and Barco would live on (since DLP is just a corner on someone's desk at these two companies) but they would just not make DLP projectors. It would also probably literally destroy Christie Digital, although they still build and sell film projectors and related items too.

Going from 2K to 4K isn't all that easy from a technology standpoint, it's really alot different than 2K DLP. Sony has enough shuttered plants around the world that producing them isn't an issue they also have ample space to supply parts for them, and to manufacture-service the light engines and such.

Mark

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 05-18-2009 07:33 PM

quote: Joe Redifer
All my predictions were correct right down to the release of the announcement. Yay me.

So Criswell, what system will Cinemark go with?

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