LAS VEGAS—Mar 11, 2005
Kodak Unveils HD, Surround Sound Pre-Show System at ShoWest
Kodak is offering a first look at new additions to the company’s networked
digital cinema system here at the annual ShoWest conference for motion picture
distributors and exhibitors. The upgraded system incorporates high definition
720p image decoding, a new HD projector, and surround sound capability.
“Most pre-show systems today offer standard definition images with stereo
audio,” says Bill Doeren, general manager of Kodak Digital Cinema. “By enabling
our system to deliver high definition images with surround sound, the pre-show
can be a more engaging and entertaining experience for cinema audiences.”
The Kodak Digital Cinema system includes a package consisting of proprietary
software, as well as hardware and services to prepare, distribute, and display
quality pre-show advertising through feature movie presentations on theatre
screens.
The full system is being demonstrated on multiple cinema screens at ShoWest at a
special event prior to feature presentations attended by hundreds of industry
professionals. “It’s important for us to demonstrate our system in a real world
environment to some of the most demanding audiences,” Doeren says.
For the pre-show demonstrations, Kodak is using the new three-chip DLP high
definition ScreenPlay 333 projectors from InFocus.
“High definition projection is the next step for pre-show presentations,” says
Doeren. “On the InFocus projectors, the images are brighter and sharper with a
greater range of contrast and more color saturation. Combined with surround
sound, they make everything, including concerts and other events, a more
enjoyable experience. HD images on our system have a crispness and depth that
seem to jump off the screen.”
Doeren emphasizes there is still a difference between high definition and motion
picture-grade quality. For feature presentations, the company is demonstrating
the new Kodak CineServer, which is compatible with a range of digital projectors
up to 2K resolution. Kodak is using the Barco 2K DLP projector to show trailers
and motion picture content at ShoWest.
Kodak demonstrations include Dust to Glory, an IFC production created by Dana
Brown. LaserPacific, a Kodak company, provided digital laboratory services and
digital cinema packaging services, including encryption, compression, and
encoding for digital cinema presentation. “Now, Dust to Glory is having its
premiere on the Kodak digital cinema system,” says Doeren. “This is a great
example of a customer using the full menu of Kodak choices.”
Doeren says Kodak is committed to a leadership role in driving presentation
quality standards to higher levels for digital cinema. “We’ve made a long-term
commitment to help image quality evolve in ways that serve the best interests of
exhibitors, distributors, the creative community and the movie-going public.
This is another step in that direction.”
Over the past fifteen months, Kodak has become the leading independent supplier
of digital pre-show systems in the world. The company has installed systems on
more than eight hundred screens in the United States and Canada, with an equal
number in line for installation.
Kodak is working with ten exhibition chains, many exclusively. In concert with
its advertising supplier partners, Kodak is preparing and delivering content
that is seen by almost three million movie-goers a month.
“As digital cinema evolves, our networked systems and services give our
customers a head start on achieving their business and creative goals,” says
Doeren. “The addition of high definition clarity and surround sound capability
provide one more indication of our serious commitment to continual improvement
in everything we offer, over the long term.”
About Kodak at ShoWest
At ShoWest, Kodak is premiering its new HD pre-show solution and showing ‘Dust
to Glory’ on its digital cinema future presentation system at ‘An Evening of
Independent Film’, held at Century theatres in the Royal Orleans Hotel on
Monday, March 14. On-going demonstrations of the full Kodak system, including
side-by-side comparisons of standard definition and high definition pre-show
image content are being held in Palace Room Three, across from the trade show
floor, during regular trade show hours.