Kansas-based Sonic Equipment Company will be completing their first outdoor
conversions at two Texas drive-in theatres.
The Big Sky Drive-In (Midland, TX) and the Stars and Stripes Drive-In
(Lubbock, TX) have both recently signed for complete digital conversions with
Sonic.
“We are very pleased with our
new-found relationship with Sonic Equipment Company, and to be one of the first
few in the nation to convert our drive-in to digital,” commented Sam Kirkland
of the Big Sky Drive-In in Lubbock, TX.
“This is an extremely exciting time for us and our community. We cannot wait to invite all of our patrons
to come and experience the difference of digital.” Both of the 3 screen outdoor cinema complexes
will use Christie’s award-winning Solaria line of DLP projectors as well as
Doremi’s DCP 2000 server and Integrated Media Block (IMB) technology.
“Converting drive-in theatres to digital cinema technology requires the
best and brightest projectors and skilled technicians from Sonic to ensure
success,” said Craig Sholder, Vice President, Christie Entertainment
Solutions. “The Christie Solaria Series
is known throughout the world as being the brightest, most reliable and
most-widely installed of the digital cinema projectors.”
“These drive-in theatres are adopting the most state of the art
technology for their operations and Doremi is thrilled to be working with Sonic
in this new endeavor,” stated Beth Figge, Sr. Sales Manager for Doremi
Cinema. Doremi’s IMB utilizes their
patented 4K technology. With the IMB
installed in a DLP Series-II 4K-ready projector, along with Doremi’s external
ShowVaultTM, customers can now choose the most future-proof
digital projection solution in the industry.
The implementation of the Doremi IMB technology will be a first for
Sonic Equipment and their 17 fully trained and certified technicians. “Our installation and service technicians are
excited to move ahead with this product and the innovations that it brings,”
said Michael Covey, Sonic’s Production Director. “We have been on the front edge of the
digital transformation since 2007 and this is another step to keep us
there. I am sure it will be the first of
many IMB installations for Sonic this year.”
Eric Olson, Director of Operations for Sonic Equipment Company,
explained challenges drive-ins have faced in regard to converting to
digital. “Digital Cinema and drive-in
theatres have had a slow and unsure relationship building process. Challenges like environmental control, lens
ratios and higher operating costs in running digital equipment at their
theatres, mixed with the fact that many of the remaining drive-in facilities
are independently owned and face seasonal income streams, have made it
difficult for them to fit into any recoupment plans. Sonic has met the challenges to help these
facilities convert to digital despite all of this.”
