TOPEKA, KS—Feb 26, 2005
QuVIS servers selected for groundbreaking 250 screen Digital Screen Network
Following an extensive evaluation and competitive
bid process, QuVIS servers will be installed by Arts Alliance Digital Cinema for
the UK Film Council’s digital screen network. Arts Alliance Digital Cinema will
supply QuVIS Cinema Players ™ for a network of up to 250 screens throughout the
UK as a core part of the UK Film Council’s strategy for improving access to
specialized film and broadening the range of films available to audiences
throughout the UK.
“Access to specialized film is currently restricted across the UK. . . the
choice for many outside these (major) areas remains limited, and the Digital
Screen Network will improve access for audiences across the UK,” said Pete
Buckingham, head of Distribution and Exhibition at the UK Film Council.
Under the terms of the contract, Arts Alliance Digital Cinema will, if and when
required, utilize a QuVIS Acuity ™ to create secure encrypted digital cinema
masters for specialized film content. The QuVIS Acuity offers a wide range of
SD, HD and 2K with real time mastering from film or tape as well as the ability
to directly ingest animated masters. The mastering process also provides
flexibility for audio, and the ability to incorporate subtitles when required.
After the 128-bit AES encryption process, the secure content can be loaded to
hard disk for delivery to the cinemas.
“We are delighted to be working with QuVIS on the Digital Screen Network” said
Fiona Deans, associate director, Arts Alliance Digital Cinema, “their
cutting-edge server solution provides the quality and flexibility this project
requires.”
At the theatre, the secure content is loaded from disk to a QuVIS Cinema Player.
Arts Alliance Digital Cinema also provides the security keys required to play
the feature. The cost of this process compares extremely favorably to the
current cost of 35mm film (which for specialized film can be circa £1,500 a
print) - currently a significant barrier to specialized films being seen in more
cinemas.
“This is an exciting example of the real benefits that a digital alternative to
film offers,” Kenbe Goertzen, CEO of QuVIS, Inc., noted “Secure, easier and less
expensive to deliver for the film maker and distributor, consistent presentation
quality and extra flexibility for the exhibitor, and a greater choice of
features for the theatre goer – wins all around.”