Cinema West, an independent California exhibitor,
chooses Barco DP-2000 digital cinema projectors for every screen in their new
Palladio 16 multiplex in Folsom, California. With a total seating capacity of
3000, built around an efficient “green” energy concept, the all-digital venue
includes six 3D-capable theatres.
Barco, a
global leader in digital cinema technology, today announced that Cinema West has
selected Barco DP-2000 projectors for their new Palladio 16 Cinemas site located
in Folsom, California. Six DP-2000s are 3D-equipped, using 3D technology from
RealD — making the Palladio 16 the largest single-site 3D installation in
California, if not the West Coast. For the 16-theatre installation, digital
servers and theatre management systems are supplied by Dolby®, and the 5.1
surround-sound digital audio system is supplied by both QSC and Dolby.
With a current chain of 12 theatre locations throughout northern and
central California, Cinema West has a long history of innovation — and the new
Palladio 16 is no exception. Each theatre in the complex sports stadium seating
and wall-to-wall screens, with individual capacities ranging from 140 to 300
seats. Installation was provided by Theatre Equipment Construction and Service
(TECS), based in Santa Rosa, California. “Cinema West has a great policy of
wall-to-wall screens, wherever possible, and these screens are enormous” said
Robert Hawthorne, Senior Technician for TECS. “To install a 53-foot screen in a
room that's 55 feet wide was a challenge, but the installation went very well
and the DP-2000s certainly fill the screens. I'm a big fan of the Barco
projectors,” continued Hawthorne, “and the Cinema West team has been just
thrilled with what they've seen. From my standpoint, the picture is better,
they're easier to work with, and much easier to use.”
Nate Alchesky,
General Manager for the Palladio 16 Cinemas, commented on the selection of Barco
projectors. “It was the quality and the ease of use,” said Alchesky. “Once we
saw the pictures on screen, we realized that this was the best way to go. The
picture quality is amazing, and the install couldn't have been simpler. They
were almost plug and play.”
Continuing with the spirit of innovation,
Cinema West is positioned at the cutting edge of “green” theatre installations.
Once final implementation is complete in January, the Palladio 16 Cinemas will
be able to boast the largest solar system on the roof of any movie theatre in
the world. “Presently, our theatre in Livermore, California has the largest
solar installation of any theatre,” said Dave Corkill, Owner of Cinema West,
“but once our rooftop installation is complete, this site will be the largest.
All the lighting products used in the theatre are LED-based. Even the poster
cases are backlit with LED lighting, and what appears to be neon is actually LED
rope lighting. It uses about 10% of the power. The savings are significant,”
continued Corkill, “and our goal to be energy efficient extends to the Barco
products as well. Barco projectors use far less power than standard 35mm
projectors, so it all adds up, and it makes good business sense.”
“We're
honored to have been selected by Cinema West for their new installation, which
is noteworthy on many levels,” explained Terri Westhafer, Director of Business
Development for Barco Digital Cinema. “Not only are we part of the largest 3D
installation in California, but we also play a part in the company's high regard
for 'green' energy use. This all-digital complex in Folsom is a showplace for
customers who are visiting our Sacramento offices. Cinema West's high
presentation standards align with our own, and Barco is proud to partner with
such an innovator in digital technology.”