Giant Screen theaters are rapidly converting to digital cinema and at the GSCA Conference later this month in Sacramento, CA visitors can see the latest technology from Qube Cinema. The Qube XP-I server will stream a single high bit-rate 4K 3D DCP through two Qube Xi 4K Integrated Media Blocks (IMBs) in two Barco DP4K-23B projectors. This high bit-rate, 4K 3D projection from a single DCP through a single server greatly simplifies exhibition for Giant Screen theaters.
The Qube system has already been installed in the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Giant Screen theater, which was converted to digital in March 2012 when they installed a Qube XP-I server and two Xi 4K IMBs.
“Our conversion from 70mm film to digital cinema couldn’t have been smoother,” said Charlotte Brohi, VP giant screen operations and film production at the HMNS. “The projectionists found the move to digital seamless and, because of the decrease in troubleshooting that comes with digital – for example, there is no film breakage – we only need one projectionist in the booth, saving labor costs.”
The HMNS, which could only have three films at a time on its schedule prior to the conversion, intends to launch a film festival later this year with five or six movies.
“Audiences are still getting the pristine, immersive experience they were used to and, although attendance is stable, our net revenue has increased because of the lower operating costs,” said Brohi. “We also plan to convert our library of self-produced films to digital so we can continue to offer them to other Giant Screen theaters.”
At the GSCA Conference, the Qube XP-I server will be paired with two 4K Xi IMBs installed in two Barco DP4K-23B projectors. The XP-I server is capable of synchronizing the IMBs and can stream up to 1 GB of data – or 500 Mbps per projector – through a dual Gigabit Ethernet interface, supporting dual projectors at up to 60 fps for 4K projection and up to 240 fps for 2K content.
“This Qube system is ready to ship to other Giant Screen venues around the world,” said Eric Bergez, Qube Cinema’s director of sales and marketing for the Americas. “As digital conversions sweep the industry, our advanced technology couldn’t have come at a better time.”
Visitors to the GSCA Conference can visit Qube during the trade show on Thursday, September 20, 2012 in the foyer of the Grand Nave Ballroom at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento. For more information about the Qube XP-I and the Xi 4K IMB, or to schedule a demo, contact Eric Bergez at
sales@qubecinema.com or
818-392-8155.
