Sony Corporation (“Sony”) today announces that its digital cinema projection system completed the full range of compliance tests for the specifications required by Digital Cinema Initiatives, LLC (“DCI”), a joint venture of six Hollywood major studios* and in March 2011, it created the industry's first DCI Specification compliant system which combines a projector and cinema server.
Sony’s digital cinema projection system is comprised of a projector that can project ultra-high-resolution 4K video (8.85 million pixels, more than four times that of full HD) and a cinema server that can store and transfer video content to the projector. Sony was accredited with the DCI Specification for its complete system, “Integrated Projection System”.
The DCI Specification defines the standard specification for digital films and projectors, in particular it emphasizes movie content protection security.
The DCI Specification prescribes the data file format called “Digital Cinema Package” (“DCP”), which includes encryption for digital movie content. DCP file can be distributed by satellite or delivered to theatres on a hard disc drive (HDD). The cryptographic key is also separately delivered to theatres. The DCP file is decrypted with the cryptographic key by the cinema server, and screened by the projector. The DCP is embedded with an electric watermark (forensic mark) to prevent illegal recording of projected content. Security measures such as an anti-tamper function are also incorporated in the projection system to prevent DCP files from being stolen, eliminating the possibility of pirated production.
The DCI compliance test for Sony’s system was conducted by Keio University’s (Japan) Research Institute for Digital Media and Content , which is authorized by DCI to conduct compliance testing. The compliance test consists of two parts including the procedural test to confirm if the devices work in accordance with the DCI Specification, and the design evaluation to examine if their security designs meet the requirements of the DCI Specification.
Through the completion of the test, Sony’s “Integrated Projection System” was certified by DCI as the industry’s first working system that is compliant with the DCI Specification.
Sony’s 4K digital cinema projection systems have been widely accepted around the world, as Sony has signed agreements to digitize many major theatre chains, including Regal Entertainment Group theatres and AMC Entertainment Inc., which are two of North America’s largest theatre circuits; National Amusements Inc., which operates theatres in the US., U.K., and Latin America; VUE Entertainment, which operates movie screens in Europe; and TOHO Cinemas Inc., which is the largest theatre chain in Japan. Sony’s cumulative projector shipments were 6500 units as of December 2010 and is estimated to reach 7900 units by the end of March 2011.
“Digital Cinema” is one of the pillars on Sony’s Professional Solution Business. In addition to achieving DCI Specification compliance, Sony will proactively drive its digital cinema business , and aim to deploy a total of 30000 digital cinema projection systems in theatres worldwide and acquire top market share of 40% by 2013.
