Belgium - Angleur—Apr 4, 2006
As a leading service provider, XDC is offering today a new
option for JPEG 2000 systems alongside its MXF Interop MPEG2 servers.
Along with actively developing the XDC Hybrid (MXF Interop JPEG2000/MPEG2)
CineStore™ Solo G3 server, XDC has decided to drastically accelerate its
technology commitment and time-table.
“During this transition period with both JPEG 2000 and MPEG2 digital movie
releases, XDC remains committed to offer its clients the best service level, and
particularly the opportunity to play back all available digital cinema formats.
Hence, XDC is now proposing a JPEG 2000 solution ready for shipping early May
2006”, says Bernard Collard, General Manager of XDC. “All XDC installations can
benefit from the new option and have JPEG 2000 play-out capability alongside XDC
MXF/MPEG2 server. The last words for exhibition are quality and reliability. We
provide those, day in, day out, and they bring in more box office. For sure,
this plan will assure that.”
The XDC JPEG 2000 Solution consists in installing the DCP2000 server provided by
the expert company DoReMi alongside the XDC CineStore™ Solo G2 Server. Both
equipments are connected to the same projector. A switching function is provided
to screen either MPEG2 or JPEG 2000 content. “We have selected DoReMi servers
because of their track record endorsed by the major studios”, says Thierry van
der Kaa, XDC Product Manager. A one-year rental contract will be signed between
XDC and the exhibitor, as optional equipment to XDC full exhibitor package. The
modest rental charge - €200 per month - includes installation, training,
guarantee, hotline, upgrade to DCI Compliancy and maintenance. “In spring 2007,
XDC CineStore™ Solo G3 Hybrid Server be available, as long as all elements of
the DCI Compliant & Interoperable JPEG 2000 format should be fully tested and
certified by all international bodies. Then, XDC will swap both XDC CineStoreTM
Solo G2 Server and XDC JPEG 2000 System for the new DCI Compliant XDC
CineStore™ Solo G3 Hybrid Server. The rental contract shall be terminated. As a
matter of fact, our solution is risk free for the exhibitor: no capital
investment for the exhibitor who can rely on a field tested equipment”, adds
Philippe Grandclaudon, XDC Sales Manager.
XDC has placed a sufficient order for the supplying of DoReMi servers and hence
will duly respond to all potential market reactions.
“Since the exhibitor will only pay €2,400 for equipment valued more than
€15,000, XDC is again acting as a third party investor in order to accelerate
the digital cinema roll-out in Europe. This additional and comprehensive
investment should be seen by the whole cinema industry as a clear commitment
from XDC to support JPEG2000 as soon as possible.” concludes Laurent Minguet,
CEO of XDC. “We hope that this plan will allow a larger number of titles to be
screen digitally … offering to both exhibitors and moviegoers the opportunity to
enjoy all the benefits of digital cinema.”
