Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS), through its Technicolor Digital Cinema business, announces it will install digital cinema projection systems at Cineplex Entertainment’s Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Technicolor systems will deliver crystal-clear digital images and pure uncompressed digital sound to Cineplex moviegoers. In addition, the systems will enable a new range of content offerings such as 3-D features and live events on the big screen. This announcement marks the first installation for Technicolor Digital Cinema in Canada.
“We are delighted to participate in this initial beta test with Technicolor Digital Cinema,” said Ellis Jacob, president and CEO, Cineplex Entertainment. “As the industry moves closer to converting to digital projection, the Scotiabank Toronto installations will provide us an opportunity to evaluate the Technicolor solution and enable us to gain valuable operating insight. Our guests will also benefit as they will enjoy enhanced images on screen and the ability to experience some of the 3D movies that will be playing during this test period.”
“We’re proud to have been selected by Cineplex Entertainment to bring the digital cinema to their flagship Scotiabank Theatre Toronto,” said Curt Behlmer, executive vice president of Technicolor Theatrical Services and COO of Technicolor Digital Cinema. “Cineplex is an industry leader in quality and innovation, and we are pleased to be working together. We look forward to playing a leading role in the industry transition to digital cinema across Canada.”
Thomson and Technicolor have approximately 1,400 employees across Canada with operations in Vancouver, British Columbia; Brampton, Ontario; Don Mills, Ontario; Toronto, Ontario; Mirabel, Quebec; and Montreal, Quebec.
Each theatre installation will feature Technicolor’s fully integrated networked systems, which includes a satellite system for content delivery and the Technicolor Theatre Management System (TMS). The Technicolor TMS is a software solution that enables exhibitors to control theatre automation and manage all content such as trailers, advertisements, and features with simple drag-and-drop technology. The digital cinema systems will be supported by Technicolor’s maintenance services with 24/7 remote monitoring to ensure system health.
The Scotiabank Theatre installation is part of Thomson’s previously announced North American digital cinema beta test. Technicolor Digital Cinema has installed digital cinema systems with several prominent exhibitors in North America and Europe including ArcLight Cinema Company, Cinemaworld, Clearview Cinemas, iPic Entertainment, Mann Theatres, National Amusements, Wehrenberg Theatres, Zyacorp’s Cinemagic Stadium Theatres, and Kinepolis Group in Belgium.
All hardware and software placed in each site will conform to industry-standard specifications published by Digital Cinema Initiatives LLC (DCI). Furthermore, the Technicolor Digital Cinema plan is technology agnostic, enabling both exhibitors and studios to benefit from the best available technology.
As previously announced, Thomson has signed digital cinema equipment usage agreements with DreamWorks SKG, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. to facilitate the roll-out of up to 5,000 digital projection systems in North America. Under the separate, long-term accords which began in late 2006, each of these studios has agreed to distribute content digitally throughout the United States and Canada and pay a virtual print fee to Thomson for screens equipped with Technicolor Digital Cinema systems.
