Satellite Distribution Slashes Costs and Streamlines Releases
Miramax Films, The Boeing Company and AMC Theatres today
demonstrated a system that digitally transmits first-run films directly
to
movie theatres via fiber and satellite-based networks. The industry team
includes Williams CommunicationsVyvx Services, Texas Instruments,
QuVIS, and EnergyDigital. To highlight the technical achievement, the team
projected the movie Bounce, starring Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow
which opens nationwide Nov. 17.
"This is a landmark day for the movie business-the beginning of a new,
faster, and better way to distribute motion pictures," said Mark Gill,
President of Miramax Films L.A. "Thanks to Boeing, secure, high quality
satellite movie delivery is not a futuristic notion, but a fully functioning
reality five years ahead of its time. For moviegoers, this is the start
of a
massive quality improvement: the end of torn film, fading and scratches,
and
the beginning of true digital projection, where the last screening of a
movie
looks as good as the first."
"We see this as a natural application of satellite technology," said Jim
Albaugh, President of Boeing Space & Communications Group. "Working
with our partners we were able to develop an innovative application solution
that will greatly reduce distribution costs for the motion picture industry
while expanding entertainment options for theatre operators."
"A satellite's inherent capability to deliver point-to-multi-point information
allows it to send one movie to thousands of theatres in a matter of hours
at
a fraction of traditional costs," added Tig H. Krekel, President of Boeing
Satellite Systems. "We can distribute locally, nationally or worldwide
in a
matter of hours."
"AMC Theatres, as an industry innovator and a leading proponent of digital
technology is very pleased to join with Miramax and Boeing in showcasing
this exciting new distribution system for digital content," said Peter
Brown,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AMC Entertainment Inc. "We
believe it is a great step forward in our efforts to bring the highest
quality
motion picture presentation and additional programming options to our
guests.
" Other teammates include Texas Instruments, Williams Communications,
QuVIS Corporation and EnergyDigital.
Miramax Films: is providing the movie ("Bounce", starring Ben Affleck and
Gwyneth Paltrow). It opens in theaters nationwide on Nov. 17. The AMC
Empire will play the film exclusively in digital format. Mr. Affleck, a
renowned technology enthusiast also attended the event. The Academy
Award-winning writer and actor rose to prominence with "Good Will
Hunting" and has starred in such box office hits as "Armageddon" and
"Shakespeare In Love."
Boeing: provided encryption and satellite transmission of the movie
("Bounce"), and other video segments and movie trailers via a new content
management and transmission system. This open architecture system draws
on Boeing's extensive commercial and military satellite experience. It
will
allow secure transmission of movies to thousands of theaters
simultaneously. The company has named the system Cinema Connexion by
BoeingSM.
AMC Theatres: has already outfitted two of its auditoriums in the Empire
25 Theatres in Times Square with digital projection, and now has installed
a
satellite dish and all the software and hardware to securely receive, store
and project a motion picture digitally. The company has installed digital
projection in nine of its megaplex screens in the U.S. and Japan.
The Walt Disney Company: "Tarzan," "Toy Story 2," "Fantasia 2000,"
"Bicentennial Man," "Dinosaur" and the upcoming "102 Dalmations" and
"The Emperor's New Groove" have been (or will be) digitally projected in
31 theaters in 10 countries around the world via digital data disks shipped
to
theaters. In the future, cinema delivery will also be by satellite and
by fiber
wireline. At this event, Disney outlined its vision of where new cinema
technology will take the movie business. It also showed digital footage
that
showcases the possibilities of live event programming on the big screen.
Texas Instruments: is providing the digital projectors that out-perform
film
for the first time-especially after a movie's first week (when torn film,
fading and scratches significantly reduce viewing quality).
QuVIS Corporation: designed and manufactures the QuBit, the video server
that provides three essential functions for this project including in-theater
storage, compression and control of digital motion pictures.
Williams Communications Vyvx Services: provided secure fiber-optic
transmission for the digital motion picture through its network operations
center and satellite uplink support. The company has been delivering
broadband media solutions for over a decade.
EnergyDigital: designed and orchestrated this event. It specializes in
convergence of the wide range of companies, content and technologies
needed to make digital cinema possible.
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