Los Angeles—Mar 30, 2004
Boeing Sells Digital Cinema Assets to Access Integrated Technologies
The Boeing Company [NYSE:BA] today announced the sale of Boeing Digital
Cinema assets to Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. (AccessIT) (AMEX: AIX) of
Morristown, N.J.
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems sold the digital cinema equipment assets and
will provide intellectual property licenses for the Boeing technology applicable
in the digital cinema market and support transitioning existing theater
contracts from Boeing to AccessIT. Boeing employees will not be transitioned to
AccessIT as part of the deal.
“The digital cinema market is evolving every day," said Ron Prosser, vice
president and general manager of Homeland Security & Services for Boeing.
"Boeing Digital Cinema achieved significant operational reliability and now the
technology is ready to be elevated to the next level.”
Boeing Digital Cinema technology provides for the capability to transmit
first-run films and alternative media, such as sporting events, concerts, plays
and corporate events, directly to movie theatres via satellite or physical
media. It provides secure, end-to-end transmission using encryption technology
endorsed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology for protection of
commercial and government information. The end-to-end multi-layered security
system ensures protection from encryption of the content upon receipt to
decryption upon projection in designated theatres.
“Boeing successfully pioneered and demonstrated many advances in the deployment
of advanced satellite and secure digital distribution of large data files from a
single point to multiple locations simultaneously,” said Dr. Ron Maehl, vice
president, Boeing Network Enabled Solutions. “AccessIT can now take that
technology to the next level with its focus on the entertainment industry and
its ability to put a capital structure in place for full-scale market
implementation.”
Boeing Digital Cinema provides an integrated delivery solution from the studios
to the exhibitors. The open-architecture design makes it possible for
integration of off-the-shelf hardware meeting industry standards to compress,
store, forward and project digital content with the primary goal of
interoperability. The ability to use a wider range of equipment benefits both
the studio and theatre owners.
"If there were any questions about AccessIT's position as the leading technology
service provider for the digital cinema industry, this acquisition should put
those to rest," said Bud Mayo, Chief Executive Officer of AccessIT. "Boeing's
in-theatre projection systems will allow us to service our distribution
customers immediately as a proof-of-concept while we await a larger rollout of
2K systems later this year.
