posted 02-22-2006 07:43 AM                       

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The concept of a 'backup projector' may have different meaning to those involved. Typically, one thinks of a backup as a means to overcome failure of equipment. But in this case the 'backup' often is the primary system, as not all movies are released in a digital format. Unfortunately, Mr. Jones didn't seem to be aware of this. There were some important issues that Company X may have glossed over, as well. Mr. Jones was being sold a system incorporating a new digital cinema format, upping the figure to three competing digital prototype systems in the marketplace. While Episode II would support all three, it is costly to do. It remained to be seen how support for the three systems would be managed by the major studios in future digital releases. Even though there are a number of digital releases scheduled, they could be divided among the various digital formats to keep costs down. There are many places to point the finger, but in the end, none of this fared well for Mr. Jones. His one digital screen, installed without a 35mm projector as backup, is about to go dark. When I spoke with Mr. Jones, he had no idea which, if any, digital movie would next be released for his system. But he knew one thing: his payments for the system were still due.

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