China Film
Group Corporation has selected Avica's FilmStoreTM
Digital Cinema Players and Avica's Digital Cinema Mastering System exclusively
for its initial deployment of Digital Cinema throughout the People's Republic of
China. The Group's Hua Long Digital Productions Co., Ltd. has taken delivery of
the Avica Mastering System to produce distribution masters of digital content
produced in China, and China Film Group Corporation has deployed Avica FilmStore
Digital Cinema Players in 10 theaters in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou
and Chengdu.
FilmStore is the server of choice worldwide and enjoys the widest installed base
of any Digital Cinema server. Avica FilmStores have been deployed in China as
the first wave of a scheduled 100 screen deployment that will take place over
the remainder of 2002 and continue into 2003. "Avica's ability to assist in
integration of our distribution and conditional access system, as well as the
overall reliability and ease of use of their products and software, was a key
consideration in our selection process," explained Mr. Yaozu Huang, Board
Director and Chief Engineer of China Film Group Corporation and President of Hua
Long Digital Productions Co., Ltd. "Avica's unique expertise with Digital Cinema
mastering and distribution, as demonstrated with digital release of Lucasfilm's
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones movie, made their products a logical
choice for our installations." "We are honored that the Avica FilmStore has been
selected by China Film Group," commented Andrew Maltz, Avica Technology's
President and CEO. "The conversion of movie screens throughout the world to
digital technology has now moved to an entirely new level with the commitment of
China Film Group Corporation to upgrade its movie distribution and presentation
infrastructure. Exhibitors worldwide are aware of the many benefits and
increased revenue potential offered by the digital format and we expect the
industry conversion we've seen this year to continue at an increasing rate."
An Avica FilmStore also provided playout for a preview screening of Lucasfilm's
Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones during the Shanghai Film Festival in
June. The ten newly installed servers are currently screening the movie in
China's historic first nationwide Digital Cinema release.
