D-cinema 7 v9

4K
ISSUE 7 SPRING 2009
r e d e f i n i n g
t h e
d i g i t a l
c i n e m a
e x p e r i e n c e
inside
AMC makes
4,500 screen
commitment
to Sony 4K
MEGABOX
selects Sony 4K
South Korean chain
installs 100+ screens
STORY ON P.03
AMC Entertainment to
convert entire circuit to digital
AMC Entertainment Inc., a leading theatrical
exhibition and entertainment company, has reached
an agreement in principle with Sony Electronics to
install CineAlta 4K digital cinema projection systems
across its theatre circuit.
With 309 theatres and 4,628 screens, AMC will be
the largest entertainment company equipped with
4K digital technology in North America. It
accelerates the momentum behind AMC’s transition
to digital projection technology and will provide AMC
guests with the most state-of-the-art on-screen
presentation available.
“At AMC, we deliver movies and other great
entertainment presented in an immersive, bigscreen viewing environment,” says Gerry Lopez,
Chief Executive Officer and President, AMC
Entertainment Inc. “The agreement with Sony drives
the quality and experience in that environment to the
next level and is a prime example of our strong
advocacy of the industry’s move to a digital platform.
Digital cinema provides a new world of programming
“ The agreement with Sony drives
the quality and experience in that
environment to the next level”
Gerry Lopez, AMC Entertainment
flexibility and opportunities for exhibitors, as well as
a more efficient method of supplying content to our
theatres. Sony 4K is a key and will result in an
enhanced entertainment experience for our guests.”
The Sony 4K digital cinema projections systems
being installed at AMC offer the highest picture
resolution of all available projection technologies. At
8.8 million pixels, 4K provides image resolution four
times greater than 2K projection systems and
slightly more than four times greater than high
definition. This, coupled with ability to exhibit content
in an exciting social environment and on screens
that are up to 90 to 100 times larger than a typical
in-home HDTV, puts AMC in a
CONTINUED ON P.02
RealD ties up with Sony for 3D
Sony Electronics and RealD are working together to provide exhibitors
with 3D digital cinema systems that combine a single Sony 4K projector
and its new 3D dual lens adapter with RealD technology.
STORY ON BACK PAGE
Hollywood
produces in 4K
A raft of new
movies are given
a 4K release
STORY ON P.06
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4K CINEMA
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4K digital cinema
editorial
Welcome to issue 7 of the global newsletter for digital cinema
developments. At least 13 new 3D movies are being released this
year and the extra revenue 3D can deliver combined with the new
3D system from the collaboration of Sony and RealD is
generating an enthusiastic reception around the world.
The digital roll-out is a long-term investment and more and
more exhibitors are making the journey with Sony. As we
announce in this issue, AMC Entertainment is one US company
to make a massive commitment to Sony 4K, with Megabox in
CONTINUED FROM P.01
AMC makes 4,500
screen commitment
to Sony 4K
position to offer a superior
entertainment
experience,
Lopez says.
The 4K systems include
manufacturing techniques that
result in an efficient installation
process. Sony’s digital cinema
team will work with AMC to
provide technical support of the
systems
and
operations
management
at
AMC’s
theatres.
The AMC roll-out of Sony
digital projection systems is
planned to begin in the second
quarter of 2009 and continue
across AMC’s US theatre circuit
through 2012. Currently, AMC
features
Sony’s
digital
projection systems in 11
theatres on 150 screens
throughout the circuit; 29 of the
current Sony-equipped screens
feature 3D capabilities, with
additional 3D screens planned
as the AMC roll-out continues.
The
AMC
and
Sony
agreement is part of an
initiative led by Digital Cinema
Implementation Partners, LLC
(DCIP),
an
organisation
formed in 2007 by AMC,
Cinemark USA, Inc. and Regal
Entertainment Group.
2 www.sonybiz.net/4kdc
South Korea another. These sales successes demonstrate the
level of focus cinema organisations place on the additional
benefits that 4K brings to raise the bar for 2D exhibition and to
keep cinema ahead of high quality HD home entertainment.
With every issue of 4K Digital Cinema, we see another raft of
movies being released in 4K and these newly announced largescale deployments of 4K projection systems will serve as
encouragement for even more movies to be given a 4K release.
CHRIS DICKINSON, EDITOR
Walt Disney
Studios International
agrees to work with
Sony’s DCSS group
Disney’s latest 3D movie hit, Bolt
Disney signs d-cinema deal
Sony Electronics’ Digital Cinema Solutions and
Services (DCSS) group has entered into a nonexclusive digital cinema deployment agreement
with Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures and
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
International. The companies will work together
to provide operational and financial resources to
exhibitors that encourage them to feature
Sony’s CineAlta 4K projection technology in
both 2D and 3D digital cinema-enabled screens
across North America and Europe.
Sony’s digital cinema group has now signed
digital cinema deployment agreements with
four major studios: Walt Disney, Twentieth
Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, and Sony
Pictures Entertainment.
“Disney continues to be very excited about the
possibilities of digital cinema, and has long
supported new technologies that give
moviegoers the best possible theatrical
experience, and provide a wide range of benefits
to our partners in exhibition,” said Anthony
Marcoly, President, Sales and Distribution, for
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
International. “We’re pleased to be working with
Sony’s Digital Cinema Solutions and Services
group in deploying this advanced technology
“ Sony’s 4K projection system
offers magnificent state-ofthe-art technology”
Anthony Marcoly, Disney Studios
Pictures International
and finding new ways to help theatre owners
upgrade their equipment economically and
efficiently. Sony’s 4K projection system offers
magnificent state-of-the-art technology and
gives theatres the flexibility for high-quality 2D
playback as well as the increasingly important
ability to display spectacular 3D productions.
With 17 3D feature films in the Disney pipeline,
ranging from great animated fare to fantastic
live-action epics, we believe that 3D exhibition
and digital cinema are vitally important to the
future of moviegoing.”
In addition to digital projection system
deployment, the DCSS group will offer
installation
and
maintenance
services,
customized solutions, delivery of alternative
content programming, and high-level service
support.
4K digital cinema
MEGABOX
selects Sony 4K
South Korean multiplex chain
installs over 100 screens in 4K
In one of the biggest deals of its kind, South Korea’s
premium cinema chain, MEGABOX, has chosen to
install the latest SRX-R220 4K projection system
from Sony across all of its screens.
MEGABOX operates more than 100 screens in its
14 cinema theatres across South Korea. The Sony
CineAlta 4K projector has been installed in all of
them as of March 2009. It is the first time that a
Korean cinema chain has equipped all of its screens
with digital cinema projectors.
Na Woo-Suk, Operation Planning Manager at
MEGABOX, explains why the Sony 4K solution was
chosen. “Movie theatres these days need to evolve to
meet movie-goers’ high standards,” he says. “We
found Sony’s digital cinema projector to be the best
strategy to differentiate ourselves from our
competitors and keep a leading position in this
industry.”
MEGABOX was the first multiplex cinema chain in
Korea and set up in 2000. Since it opened, the
company has strived to provide a high quality
“ We found Sony’s digital cinema projector to be
the best strategy to differentiate ourselves from
our competitors”
Na Woo-Suk, MEGABOX
service. MEGABOX was awarded Exhibitor of the Year
in 2004 by Cine Asia and has ranked number one
several times in NCSI (National Customer
Satisfaction Index) for movie theatres.
MEGABOX chose the Sony projector for all 100
screens after a month of rigorous testing. The
company says that the picture quality of the Sony 4K
was excellent and that the tests also highlighted the
system’s high compatibility and stability of image.
By introducing the 4K digital cinema projector,
MEGABOX has replaced its QuVis and Barco
projectors. With its new digital cinema projectors,
MEGABOX cements its position as the market leader
in 4K digital cinema in Korea.
Romanian cinema installs Sony 3D
Media Pro Group installs first Sony 3D projectors in Europe
Romania’s leading cinema chain,
operating under the brands
CinemaPRO and Hollywood Multiplex,
has chosen to install Sony CineAlta
4K projection systems with the 3D
adaptor in its theatres. It is the first
Sony 3D installation in Europe.
The company, which is part of the
Media Pro media organisation,
operates three theatres and 16
screens in the capital, Bucharest, and
in Oradea, on the Hungarian border.
“We have bought five Sony 4K
projectors with 3D capabilities,” says
Razvan Tone, Executive Director of
CinemaPRO and Hollywood Multiplex.
“The five are for three locations, of
which one has ten cinema screens,
one is a single-screen cinema and
one is a five-screen cinema. The first
two are in Bucharest and the third is
in Oradea.”
Media Pro is the most complex and
successful media group acting on the
Romanian market and one of the
largest and most dynamic media
organisations in Central and Eastern
Europe. As well as the cinema chain,
Media Pro operates a raft of TV
channels, a news agency, motion
picture production arm, distribution
company and studios and production
facilities.
Tone says the company chose the
CineAlta 4K projectors because of
their experience with Sony. “As a
group, we have had enough
experience with Sony for broadcasting
equipment. We have a very good
relationship with them and this is why
we chose the best.
“I am sure 3D will become bigger in
the future and Sony is offering by far
the best solution for 3D at this time.
The Sony 3D picture is the best that I
have seen.”
“ Sony is offering by far the best
solution for 3D at this time”
Razvan Tone, CinemaPRO and
Hollywood Multiplex
Hollywood Multiplex Bucharest Mall
www.sonybiz.net/4kdc 3
4K digital cinema
installation last year, both of
which were in participation
I’m
with the national cinema
looking
organisation Film&Kino. The
theatre will soon be equipped
forward
with 4K in a third screen and
to seeing
with 3D in one of the smaller
the future
2K screens. It decided on the
Sony 4K system because
of cinema
Sony and its partner Unique
right
Cinema Systems came up
here
with a compelling solution for
the cinema’s specific needs.
Petter
Kristiansand-Aladin
Benestad,
cinema is in the south of
Kristiansand- Norway, the fifth largest
Aladin cinema cinema in the country. Like
Fredrikstad, it’s ahead of the
technological game, with
nine screens, three of them
already equipped with 2K
projectors and 3D in one of
these. 4K allows it to raise its
digital game. The cinema is
part of Norway’s Cinematek
group of seven municipal cinemas, five of which now
have Sony CineAlta 4K installations.
Kristiansand chose the Sony 4K projection system
after recommendation from other cinemas in the
group. The cinema’s Managing Director, Petter
Benestad, explains that Kristiansand cinema is also
being used as a test case for 4K. Kristiansand,
together with the UK’s digital distribution services
organisation Arts Alliance Media, owns the Nordic
Digital Alliance, which supplies and installs digital
equipment.
As part of the development of digital cinemas in
Europe, the NDA is rolling out digital capabilities to
a series of Norwegian cinemas. “It will be important
for NDA to try the 4K before the digitalisation of
Norwegian cinemas begins,” says Benestad.
Sony’s 3D system for 4K is another step forward. “I
believe that the 3D format will make the cinema into
an even more significant arena for experiences and
that this will be very important in competition with
other media,” says Benestad.
“
”
Norway’s cinemas are upgrading to 4K
Norway cinemas
champion 4K
Fredrikstad
cinema and
KristiansandAladin cinema
are the latest to
install CineAlta 4K
In the run-up to Norway’s D-cinema project
becoming a reality, two more Norwegian cinemas
are installing Sony 4K. The Fredrikstad Cinema and
the Kristiansand-Aladin cinema are both installing
Sony SRX-R220 4K projectors, with the option of
adding the 3D dual lens system.
Fredrikstad cinema, in the south west of Norway,
is a six-screen multiplex. With the installation of the
Sony 4K, three of those screens will be digital,
making it one of the leading digital cinemas in
Norway. “We have always tried to be a cinema with a
very high technical standard,” says Jorgen
Soderberg, the cinema’s CEO. “We’ve always been
proud of being a ‘top class’ cinema, giving our
audience the very best experience. With that in mind,
we felt that we had to be one of the first cinemas
with 4K, taking the experience to the next level.”
The municipal cinema in Fredrikstad has a 90year history. Its more recent landmarks include the
opening of its multiplex in 2002, and the installation
of 2K in one screen two years ago, with another 2K
NDA becomes second 4K dealer in Norway
Norway
surges ahead
with d-cinema
Nordic Digital Alliance (NDA) has become the
second 4K dealer for Sony in Norway. NDA has just
installed the Sony CineAlta 4K system in
Kristiansand and has extensive European
experience partnering with Arts Alliance Media Ltd.
There are currently ten Sony 4K installations in
Norway, from Tromso in the North to Kristiansand in
the South. Sony has partnered with Unique Cinema
Systems, which has nine Sony 4K installations and
recently won the first phase of the digitalizing
project in Sweden for another eight screens.
Norway is one of the leading countries in Europe
4 www.sonybiz.net/4kdc
pushing forward with digital cinema. Of the 430 or
so screens in Norway, there are already 40 dcinema installations, making it far in advance of
other Nordic countries. But the big push will come
later this year.
Back in 2007, the Norwegian minister of culture
Trond Giske gave the task of co-ordinating the
digitalisation of all Norwegian cinemas to Film&Kino,
the trade association for cinema owners and
operators. Film&Kino is scheduled to announce the
results of a tender process to install the digital
equipment in the summer of 2009.
4K digital cinema
New projector
technologies
Sony has unveiled new
technologies designed to
work with its 4K digital
cinema projection systems.
The new technologies include
a Theater Management
System, which can provide
exhibitors with increased
efficiency and automation in
their operations, and a new
anamorphic lens for higher
brightness in 2D projection
systems.
“Exhibitors moving to
digital cinema are looking for
all the necessary tools and
options to be readily available
and easy-to-use, in order to
make their digital transition
as smooth as possible,” said
Gary Johns, Vice President of
Sony Electronics’ Digital
Cinema Systems Division.
“Their goal is to provide the
highest-quality presentation
for their customers, while
simultaneously increasing
their efficiency and
eliminating operational
mistakes.”
The new anamorphic lens,
model LKRL-A001, will allow
exhibitors to reach 14 footlamberts of brightness on
screens up to 70 feet wide.
Sony will work with studios
and the digital cinema
industry to gather input and
ensure the new lens meets
all necessary requirements
and standards for digital
cinema projection.
The new Theater
Management System includes
a direct interface to the Sony
Screen Management System
that controls all the 4K
projectors in one location.
Through one user-friendly
graphical interface, operators
can: import schedule data
directly from their ticketing
and/or point-of-sale system;
create schedules using a
show template; monitor the
status of screens, projectors
and other equipment; and
also transfer schedule data
and DCP/KDM automatically.
New exhibitors sign up for 4K
Five new US theatres sign on with Sony for digital upgrades
Sony Electronics has announced digital cinema
agreements and deployments with five
exhibitors across the US. The new agreements
range from outfitting facilities with Sony’s 4K
digital projection technology to providing
complete turn-key solutions for converting to
digital technology.
The new exhibitors are: Muvico Theaters at the
Oaks in Thousand Oaks, California; Alamo
Drafthouse at the Village in Austin, Texas; The
Palace Theater in Canadian, Texas; Lincoln Square
Cinemas in Bellevue, Washington State; as well as
Channelside Theaters in Tampa, Florida.
The digital cinema industry continues to
embrace the unique benefits of Sony’s 4K
technology,
for
offering
a
dynamic
entertainment and movie-going experience,”
says John Scarcella, President of Sony’s
Broadcast and Business Solutions Company.
“The diversity of these new theatre relationships
demonstrates how Sony is able to provide
everything that an exhibitor needs for success in
digital cinema, not just including the highestquality, most flexible 4K projectors available, but
also creativity, technical and content innovation,
support and service.”
The new exhibitors are all designed as
“premium” entertainment destinations, offering
guests not only high-quality motion picture
projection, but also a range of services and
amenities.
Sony in the US is able to offer cinemas a
choice for their conversion to digital and this has
been reflected in the business approach used by
these new theatres.
The Alamo and Palace have purchased their
4K systems, as well as maintenance, service and
support for their roll-out, from Sony’s Digital
Cinema Systems Division. The Alamo is
installing 4K projectors in each of its four
auditoriums, while the Palace’s single-screen
facility will convert to 4K.
Meanwhile the Muvico, Lincoln Square and
Channelside projects are being managed
through Sony’s Digital Cinema Solutions and
Services (DCSS) group, which will also work with
the exhibitors to provide installation and
complete integration services. Additionally,
DCSS works with studios to provide operational
and financial resources to exhibitors, providing
them the performance benefits of 4K technology
as a primary component in their digital cinema
systems. The group also includes alternative
content opportunities, digital signage and
gaming as part of its offerings.
The Muvico at the Oaks facility is the theatre
chain’s second multiplex to convert to all Sony
4K projection, following its Chicago area
location. Muvico plans to convert each of its
remaining complexes to 4K technology as well.
Lincoln Square is equipping 15 of 16 screens
for 4K playback, and Channelside is upgrading
five of its nine auditoriums to be 4K-ready.
Each exhibitor is also including 3D projection
as part of its 4K roll-out. These new agreements
mark the first installations of Sony’s newly
announced relationship with RealD to provide
exhibitors with 3D digital cinema systems
combining a single Sony 4K projector and its
new 3D dual lens adapter with RealD
technology, including a specially designed
optical filter tuned for the projector.
In addition to committing to Sony’s 4K
projectors for their full conversion to digital,
these exhibitors may also consider plans to use
a range of other Sony products in their facilities,
for example LCD displays in lobby and
concession areas for digital signage, menu
boards and full-motion video trailers.
“ The digital cinema industry
continues to embrace the
unique benefits of Sony’s
4K technology ”
John Scarcella, Sony Electronics
Muvico
www.sonybiz.net/4kdc 5
4K digital cinema
Full speed ahead
for d-cinema
3D holds the
key to d-cinema
roll-out
The top studios in Hollywood are pushing forward
with digital cinema implementation despite the
credit crunch.
Studios such as Twentieth Century Fox,
Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. and Sony
Pictures have been actively encouraging cinema
exhibitors to make the move to digital. A major
catalyst for change is 3D.
There are significant potential benefits of
d-cinema for exhibitors, distributors and audiences,
including better quality images, greater scope for
the presentation of alternative content and increased
revenues from 3D.
The benefits are so strong that several studios
have joined together to provide funding deals to help
exhibitors transition to d-cinema.
Julian Levin, Executive Vice President, Twentieth
Century Fox, advised that Fox has already
committed, through VPF based deployment deals, to
over 60,000 screens worldwide.
“Twentieth Century Fox remains at the leading
edge in supporting the on-going technology
conversion and transition from 35mm to DCIcompliant digital projection systems.”
Mark Christiansen, Executive Vice President of
Operations for Paramount Pictures, says, “Paramount is
one of the leaders in trying to get digital cinema going.”
Christiansen says Paramount is offering to support
exhibitors spread the costs of buying and installing
digital equipment in a bid to speed up the roll-out of
d-cinema.
Increased revenues with 3D
A key driver for conversion is 3D projection, which
offers increased revenues for studios and exhibitors.
“The first thing about d-cinema, is that 3D is a
huge new revenue source,” Christiansen says. “You
can’t have economical, high quality 3D without dcinema. The second point is, from a distributor’s
point of view, d-cinema gives us a lot of flexibility. We
won’t have prints. With prints, there’s a
manufacturing lead time, a manufacturing cost and
a physical freight cost. With digital, we have the
possibility of all that going away. Also the scalability
of d-cinema is tremendous. When we get to a tipping
point of 70-80 per cent d-cinema penetration, we can
do things like satellite or broadband distribution – a
non-physical distribution of movies.
“It costs a couple of dollars more to see 3D, but
exhibitors have to buy additional equipment, so
there’s an extra expense to 3D. It costs $10-20
million more in production costs to make a movie
6 www.sonybiz.net/4kdc
3D. Somebody also has to pay for the glasses. But 3D
offers an entertainment choice that is not available
elsewhere.”
Levin believes 3D offers major revenue
opportunities. “3D significantly outperforms 2D at
the box office, bringing in as much as four, five or six
times what 2D generates,” Levin says. This year,
Twentieth Century Fox is releasing at least two major
titles in 3D: the animation Ice Age : Dawn Of The
Dinosaurs and James Cameron’s Avatar.
4K production
Wendy Aylsworth, Senior Vice President, Technology,
Warner Bros. Technical Operations, says d-cinema
is not just about 3D, but also being able to deliver a
higher quality image to the screen.
“We’d like to see all theatres all around the world
being digital,” Aylsworth says. “We’re very supportive
of 3D and looking forward to doing it. Warner Bros.
does less animation than some other studios, so we
may create fewer 3D movies at this point. As we
develop our movies, if the telling of a story can be
enhanced by filming in 3D, we’ll consider that.”
Warner Bros. has also been at the forefront of
moves to create movies in 4K, which offers four times
the resolution quality of 2K. “Warner Bros. has
always been supportive of 4K. We have a post
production facility here designed to handle 4K and we
always desire to produce in 4K because it provides
long-term value for the archived material,” she says.
Chris Cookson, President of Sony Pictures
Technologies, also believes 4K quality is vital for the
future. “Comparing 2K to 4K is like having dirty glasses
on; you want to clean the picture,” Cookson says.
4K digital cinema
“ I have seen multiple
demos of the Sony 3D
image quality
and it is fantastic”
Monsters v Aliens
“The reason for 4K in the theatre is the changed
relationship between where the audience sits and the
screen. 2K is a pretty good approximation of what a
person was capable of seeing in an old fashioned
theatre. In a modern stadium theatre, seats are much
closer to the screen and the picture appears larger.
“It goes back to the resolving capabilities of the
human eye. 2K is about the same as HD television, and
HDTV was developed as an approximation of what we
were seeing in theatres 30 years ago. What’s
interesting is that theatres have always tried to stay at
least one step above the experience in the home; and
today with Bluray and 1080p home theatre you can
pretty well get the same image quality in homes as in
many theatres – and for not a lot of money. For theatres
to stay ahead, we have to keep moving up and on. We’ve
gone to the stadium seating environment and the
image on the screen has to catch up with what the
human eye is able to see.”
Sony CineAlta 4K projectors
The Sony CineAlta 4K projectors are the only system
on the market that currently offers a 4K image. The
addition of the 3D dual lens adaptor also turns the
Sony projector into a high quality 3D system.
Julian Levin continues, “Fox supports DCIcompliant digital projection systems and will provide
its movies to those theatres that install this
projection equipment. This includes both 2K and 4K
digital projection.
“Sony quickly developed a very elegant technology
solution enabling their projectors to be 3D capable. I
have seen multiple demos of the Sony 3D image
quality and it is fantastic.”
Julian Levin, Twentieth
Century Fox
“ Comparing 4K to 2K
is like having dirty
glasses on; you want
to clean the picture.”
Chris Cookson, Sony
Pictures
Twentieth Century
Fox’s Ice Age : Dawn
Of The Dinosaurs, and
Avatar (left)
www.sonybiz.net/4kdc 7
4K digital cinema
The real deal
Following the
tie-up between
Sony Electronics
and RealD for
the provision of
the best 3D
technology
possible, RealD
Chairman Michael
Lewis gives his
predictions for
how the 3D
market will grow
How important do you think 3D is going to be for
cinema and will it be the saviour of the industry?
RealD 3D is a bright spot for the entertainment
industry, with some movies shown in 3D performing
up to six times better than the 2D versions of the
same movie. With a packed slate of upcoming
movies being released in 3D, audiences worldwide
are gravitating toward this global entertainment
phenomenon.
How badly is the credit crunch affecting the
development of 3D and are there ways for cinema
groups to speed up the development of 3D?
We continue to see a high demand globally for RealD
3D. We have about 8,000 screens under contract and
about 2,600 3D screens today – that’s over 60 per
cent growth since the fourth quarter of 2008, and we
expect to expand our footprint by over 50 per cent
through the end of this year to about 4,000 RealD 3D
screens for the release of James Cameron’s 3D
movie, Avatar. That would be about 150 per cent
growth in the 3D footprint in one year. We believe
this pace will continue to be strong.
How much better do 3D movies do financially and in
terms of audiences?
Given the choice, movie-goers are picking 3D over 2D
versions of the same movie, with box office for some
recent releases showing 3D outperforming 2D 6:1.
Do you think 3D works as well for live action as
animation, and do you think all movies will
eventually be 3D?
RealD 3D will soon be the standard for all movies.
Top movie-makers including James Cameron, Peter
Jackson, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are all
working in digital 3D for upcoming projects,
animation and live action alike. And audiences are
putting their money where their mouth is and
selecting a 3D movie experience when given the
choice. 3D is a win for everyone, from audiences to
studios to exhibitors to movie-makers, who now
have another cinematic tool to utilize when telling
their stories.
Could you comment on the recent tie-up with Sony
with their 3D projector?
RealD has partnered with Sony to create a RealD 3D
cinema system that works with a single Sony 4K
projector. This gives exhibitors with Sony projectors
the ability to show movies in 3D, further opening
their business opportunities.
How do you expect the market for 3D TV to develop?
RealD currently has technology to make the 3D
home market a reality, something we demonstrated
a short time ago during a live broadcast of an NFL
game. The RealD solution works on any 3D-enabled
TV, delivering content using existing HD
infrastructure. It's an exciting proposition and we're
working with studios, consumer electronics
companies and content distributors to make 3D in
the home a reality as soon as possible.
“ We expect
to expand our
footprint by over
50 per cent through
the end of this year to
about 4,000 RealD 3D
screens for the release
of James Cameron’s
3D movie, Avatar”
Michael Lewis, RealD
8 www.sonybiz.net/4kdc
4K digital cinema
Fox
pioneers 3D
Sony and Fox team up
for a live 3D broadcast
Sony Electronics teamed with
Fox Sports and an all-star roster
of technology providers to deliver
the first live 3D presentation of
the college football FedEx Bowl
Championship Series (BCS)
National Championship Game
between the University of Florida
and University of Oklahoma.
The game in January 2009 was
shot using 3ality Digital’s imagecapture technology and
transmitted live via Cinedigm’s
CineLive satellite distribution
network from Dolphin Stadium in
Miami to the Paris Hotel and
Casino’s RealD-equipped
Theatre des Arts in Las Vegas.
Sony provided its CineAlta 4K
projection technology at the Paris
Hotel and Casino for this special
3D presentation, which was
broadcast in conventional HD by
Fox Sports. RealD was a cosponsor of this theatre
presentation with Sony. RealD’s
3D system in the Theatre des Arts
– including eyewear, screen and
filtering technology – was
specifically built and customized
for the CineAlta 4K projection
system.
“The live broadcast to the
Paris Hotel and to movie
theatres across the nation is the
latest example of how we can
deliver
our programming to audiences
in new and exciting ways,” said
Jerry Steinberg, Senior Vice
President of Field Operations
and Engineering, Fox Sports. “3D
technology holds unlimited
potential for the future of both
sports broadcasting and live
event production.”
“This event at the Paris Hotel is
a perfect showcase for 4K
technology,” said Alec Shapiro,
Senior VP of Sony Electronics’
Broadcast and Production
Systems. “4K technology was
designed with enough flexibility to
show superb-quality 2D or 3D
content in the highest resolution
available.”
Ricky Hatton
on Sky Sports
Sky and BBC trial 3D for TV
Broadcasters prove the viability of 3D for home entertainment
UK broadcasters Sky and the BBC have shown
a commitment to investing in 3D. Inspired by
the increasing demand for 3D in cinemas and
the onward march of 3D technology, both have
produced and demonstrated the screening of
3D footage in anticipation of rising consumer
demand.
For Sky, it is the latest strike in its trackrecord for profitably introducing technological
firsts for UK TV. It was the first UK digital TV
service, and the first to broadcast in HD, as
well as bringing Sky+ to the market.
“Our R&D activity is all about anticipating
customers’ future demands, including the
potential to turn HD into 3D,” says Gerry
O’Sullivan, Sky’s Director of Strategic Product
Development. “And thanks to our high-capacity
satellite network and HD boxes, we have shown
that Sky+HD is already ‘3D ready’.”
The BBC used Sony HD cameras to capture
live action at last year’s RBS Six Nations rugby
match between Scotland and England,
beaming the footage in 3D to an audience at
the Riverside Studios in London. The
demonstration showed the BBC’s commitment
to exploring new technologies to enhance the
viewing experience.
Sky has filmed several events in 3D, also
using Sony HD cameras, including the boxing
match between Ricky Hatton and Juan
Lazcano last year, as well as the England v
New Zealand Rugby Union Test Match,
Liverpool v Marseilles UEFA Champions
League and Sky1’s signature entertainment
programme, Gladiators.
At the end of last year it demonstrated how it
could deliver through 3D-ready TVs. Brian Lenz,
Sky’s Head of Product Design and Innovation,
explains that the rationale behind investment in
3D is informed by three things – the developing
digital technology; the screen technology (with
3D ready TVs coming onto the market); and the
popularity of 3D, as movies shot in the format
increase in number and quality.
Panama City cinema installs Sony projectors
Cinepolis Multiplaza Pacific in Panama, part of one of the leading cinema chains in Central and
South America, has chosen Sony projectors to be installed in all its theatres in Panama City.
Cinepolis has bought 14 VPL-CX125 projectors and installed them alongside their 35mm
film projectors. Christian Corado, General Manager, Cinepolis Multiplaza Pacific, says the
projectors are being used to show commercials between feature presentations.
“We chose these models because we know these are good quality and that is what we offer
to our clients. We know Sony, we liked the warranty and they are also on hand to supply us,”
Corado says.
The VPL-CX125 is a high brightness projector. It is a cost effective solution says Corado, in
particular for the advertisers who can now supply their commercials on digital media.
The projectors are used for five to seven minutes between each presentation, four times daily.
“We need to programme the projectors separately because of the different schedules of the
movies,” Corado explains.
www.sonybiz.net/4kdc 9
4K digital cinema
Digital visionaries
Hollywood
unveils its latest
4K movies,
including Angels
& Demons,
starring Tom
Hanks
Ron Howard’s Angels & Demons, the highly
anticipated sequel to The Da Vinci Code, is one of a
number of high-profile movies being given a 4K
release. Angels & Demons, starring Tom Hanks and
Ewan McGregor, is based on the novel by Dan Brown.
It is a Sony Pictures film.
Other Sony movies being released in 4K include
2012, starring John Cusack and Thandie Newton;
Salt, starring Angelina Jolie; and The Green Hornet,
starring Seth Rogen and Stephen Chow.
Universal Studios, meanwhile, has given Joe
Wright’s The Soloist a 4K release. This is Universal
Studios first release in 4K, making them the latest
studio to embrace the DCI’s 4K standard.
Warner Bros., which released the biggest grosser
of last year, The Dark Knight, in 4K, plans further
releases in the format.
It is not just movies that are benefiting from 4K, the
format is also developing as the format of choice for
everything from large venues to a burgeoning home
market.
Andrew Oran, VP of Large Format at Californian
post facility Fotokem, is keen to underline the
continued role of 4K in large feature development.
Fotokem’s customers range from movie theatres to
museums and theme parks, and Oran says there’s a
lot in the 4K development pipeline, if not in the
current production pipeline. Further details aren’t
available, but Oran can reveal the company is
currently handling some Red camera 3D tests for a
new Imax film. “It features lots of underwater
footage, and looks very promising,” he explains.
10 www.sonybiz.net/4kdc
In the coming months, Fotokem will also be
finishing work on We the People – a 2D 40-minute
Imax documentary on the Founding Fathers,
currently set for a release this May. There’s also
Quantum Quest – a 2D 45-minute CGI adventuredocumentary film, intended for an Imax release this
September. Finally, Fotokem is still processing
65mm/5p production negatives for the Ron Frickedirected film Samsara, which was scanned at 8K and
will have a 4K DI later this year.
Oran too is already eagerly exploring what lies
beyond 4K. “One of our Imax films is also testing
doing the effects work at 5.5K,” he explains. “This
gives a great result when scanning the 65mm/15p
background plates at 11K, as we can on our 65mm
scanners.” He adds that there are a few high-profile
65mm 4K restorations in the budgeting phase, “but
none active at present. We continue to handle 4K
trailers when the feature DI is being done at 4K. I
Love you Bess Cooper is the latest,” he adds.
Warner Bros., always at the vanguard with new
technologies, has to date scanned the 1953 feature A
Star is Born at 4K, as well as Dr. Zhivago, North by
Northwest, the Godfather trilogy, and How the West
Was Won in 6K. It also won plaudits for producing
some of the box-office hit Dark Knight in 4K, a move
that allowed sceptics to see the format in action.
“Our goal is to process every movie in 4K, even if it is
not released that way,” explains Wendy Aylsworth,
Senior Vice President, Technology, Warner Bros.
Technical Operations. “Processing our films and
restorations in 4K allows us to preserve the most
4K digital cinema
Tobruk
The Soloist
“ Processing
our films and
restorations in
4K allows us
to preserve
the most
information
possible.”
Wendy
Aylsworth,
Warner Bros.
Angelina Jolie in Salt
information possible for the long-term archival of the
property, thereby allowing us to repurpose that
content in the future for any new wonderful display
technology that emerges.”
If we’re talking about “wonderful new
technologies”, it is hard to find anyone more upbeat
about the future of high-res formats than Ted
Schilowitz at Red Cameras. He is bursting with
enthusiasm about the future for 4K.
The growth of 4K is being driven by several aspects,
he believes. “You have camera manufacturers like us,
who are working on the acquisition side and looking
to make more kit available. Then on the distribution
side, new theatre venues are driving the need for 4K
material. At the moment, in LA alone, we have four or
five theatres which have bigger screens – in some
cases they can be two to three times the current size
– and they also have a ‘shorter throw.’ This means the
seating is more vertical, almost like an Imax cinema.
The beauty of 4K is that the action rewards you the
closer you get to it.” And of course, when being closer
to the action is more rewarding, that has to be good
news for the home cinema market too.
The post production case for 4K is evolving too.
“Not so long ago, doing post in HD was complex, but
now it's increasingly the norm,” Schilowitz continues.
“The same is happening for 2K post, and will also
happen for 4K too. It's just a case of the computing
technologies getting faster and more reliable.”
Tobruk movie in 4K
Czech movie latest production in 4K
4K digital technology has taken off in the States,
with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Warner
Bros. committed to making the most of their
filmed productions using 4K. But it’s not just the
preserve of Hollywood – this new technology is
also being used in an increasing number of
European productions. Polish historical drama
Katyn was one of the first in 2008 and Tobruk is
the debut 4K feature from the Czech Republic.
Tobruk, produced by Silver Screen
Productions, is an acclaimed second world war
movie, based on the seminal nineteenth century
American book, the Red Badge of Courage, by
Stephen Crane. The feature, directed and
produced by Vaclav Marhoul, was released in the
Czech Republic in September and has already
received nine nominations at the Czech Lions,
the country’s equivalent of the Oscars.
Marhoul decided to post produce using 4K in
part because of the advantages in the
international marketplace. “My main concern
with Tobruk was that we had the highest quality,
which is why we chose to use 4K, even though
it’s more expensive,” he says. “Of course this
helps the film’s chances for international sales
because we can deliver the film in 4K to any
country around the world.”
Tobruk was post produced at Cinepost in
Prague, one of an increasing number of post
production houses in Europe now offering 4K
facilities. In Poland, the Chimney Pot provided
4K facilities for the post production of Katyn and
Sony’s new 4K technology has already been
installed at a number of high-end post
production houses in Europe, as well as in the
USA. Miroslav Sochor, DCI expert at Cinepost,
believes that Tobruk will be the first of many 4K
films in the Czech Republic: “The quality of
home entertainment systems is still rising and
cinemas have to offer more adventure than
home systems – the quality of the picture must
be better and features in 4K offer all of that.”
“ Cinemas have to offer more
adventure than home systems”
Miroslav Sochor, Cinepost
www.sonybiz.net/4kdc 1 1
4K digital cinema
RealD ties up
with Sony for 3D
Leading 3D specialist integrates
with Sony CineAlta 4K projectors
Sony Electronics and RealD are working together to
provide exhibitors with 3D digital cinema systems
that combine a single Sony 4K projector and its new
3D dual lens adapter with RealD technology,
including a specially designed optical filter tuned for
the projector, resulting in the ability to deliver crisp
3D images to screens up to 55 feet in width.
Sony and RealD have also entered into a separate
agreement that gives RealD the exclusive right to
purchase and distribute Sony’s 3D lens adapter for
use with polarized filter systems in Sony digital
cinema projection system 3D installations in the US,
Canada and Europe. In addition to the Sony 3D
adapter, RealD will provide hardware and software,
including its Cinema System and 3D EQ
“Ghostbuster” technology, for 3D playback on Sony
CineAlta 4K digital cinema systems worldwide.
“The relationship between Sony and RealD will
make it easy to install a 2D Sony projection system
that can then be easily upgraded to 3D, with RealD’s
award-winning technology,” said Gary Johns, Vice
President of Sony Electronics’ Digital Cinema
Systems Division. “By working with RealD, we’ll be
able to provide both a practical and an elegant 3D
solution.”
The 3D experience with RealD
“Combining Sony’s phenomenal 4K projector with
RealD’s market-leading 3D technology simply made
sense,” says Joe Peixoto, President Worldwide
Cinema, RealD. “With RealD having the world’s largest
3D cinema network, and more and more 3D content
hitting theatres, we’re excited to be working with Sony
to help exhibitors implement this high-quality 3D
experience in an easy and cost-effective way.”
“ With RealD having the world’s largest 3D cinema
network, and more and more 3D content hitting
theatres, we’re excited to be working with Sony.”
Joe Peixoto, RealD
4K
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