The way I understand, they are/were shutting down the whold cinema products division and moving SDDS under the umbrella of their "ordinary" professional products.
In the long run, this might KILL SDDS. As some people might know, in order to be a Sony dealer (even for professional products) you have to agree to some pretty strict terms... Pricing policies... Products that are carried, etc. This, to my understanding, is the reason why it's often hard to find certain products because there are so few dealers who are willing to put up with that kind of crap.
Therefore, even if SDDS survives, it'll become rarer and rarer. I imagine, once there are few enough theatres running SDDS, they might stop printing SDDS soundtracks on prints. I have seen fewer SDDS prints out there lately, anyway.
I wonder if the downfall is beginning already?
I generally find this sort of discussion distastful if it can't be backed up.
I know I haven't had any problems talking with SCPC techs and personel. Futhermore, they seem to be hiring to replace Steve Levy who has chosen to move over to Sony's Tele-cine division.
Again my findings don't support the "rumour" but actually seem to contradict it.
Steve
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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"