Tokyo—Apr 3, 2009
“CLAVIS”–– Digital Cinema Release Support System For Efficient & Reliable Distribution and Screening
IMAGICA Corp (head office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, President and Representative Director: Tsuguya Kitade) has developed a system named “CLAVIS,” which supports releasing digital cinema titles via the Web. The system is the first of its kind in Japan and on line, starting in March 2009.
CLAVIS is a proprietary Web-based online management system developed by IMAGICA that improves the reliability and efficiently process of digital cinema distribution and exhibition in Japan.
In order to release digital cinema titles, at present, distributors spend many hours to confirm the up-to-date status of screening equipment and specification of software version installed at each theater’s screen. They also have to manage the status of DCP1 delivery and expiration dates for KDM2 for each showing, which becomes significant burden for them. As the number of digital cinema titles and screens increases, such a burden on them is expected to increase furthermore in the near future.
By registering information of their digital cinema titles on CLAVIS, distributors can manage theater booking, handle issuance of KDMs and confirm the status of delivery and installation of DCPs efficiently, while reviewing the latest information of digital cinema screening equipment implemented in theaters around the country. Exhibitors, meanwhile, are able to manage on the web the specifications of screening equipment installed in their theaters and the DCP/KDM delivery status. Moreover, they are able to change screening theater or equipment quickly on the web. Using CLAVIS, it is possible for them to share with distributors information of digital cinema releasing easily and manage DCP/KDM more simply and efficiently.
CLAVIS is operated on a highly reliable and secured network. Distributors and exhibitors are given an account which provides them with access to functionality suited to their needs. The system also supports the user interface in English, making it to be useful for international users as well.
Since its foundation in 1935, IMAGICA has provided high-quality production and post-production services to the entertainment industries in keeping pace with the times. In the field of digital cinema, IMAGICA became the first company in Japan to have provided mastering works for digital screening in 2000. From there, it developed its digital cinema mastering studio and proprietary color management system in 2001 and completed the workflow which conforms to the DCI (Digital Cinema Initiative) specifications in 2006. With its services for digitalization, it has been running at the forefront of the industry at all times and has developed in-depth know-how expertise.
Features of CLAVIS
1. Users (distributors and exhibitors) are able to access the theater database developed and maintained by IMAGICA to register/view the latest information on digital screen installations and screening equipment into Japan. (note that certain restrictions apply to the range of data that can be viewed, depending on the individual account)
2. Distributors are able to register information of feature films to be shown, screens to be used, screening period etc. and manage issuance of KDMs online based on the latest information on the theater database. Moreover, they can re-issue KDMs via CLAVIS, responding to the change of equipment between theater screens or the extension of screening period.
3. In the theater database, exhibitors can register/update the latest information regarding their own screening equipment, thereby managing screening equipment, screen booking, KDM acquisition status, etc. for each theater at the same time. Moreover, they can ensure that their exchange with distributors of data and booking informations are safe and reliable by allocating their screens to online and downloading issued KDM data on CLAVIS.
- Notes
1) DCP: Digital Cinema Package; digital cinema screening data compressed and encoded to be screened in theaters.
2) KDM: Key Delivery Message; key for unlocking DCPs. Unique serial numbers are set for digital cinema screening servers installed in individual screen equipment. Ｆor security purposes, the encrypted DCPs cannot be unlocked without the specific KDM file corresponding to each serial number.
