As the transition to digital cinema continues to build across the U.S. and the world, Texas Instruments (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN) DLP Cinema®, the worldwide leader in digital cinema imaging technology, today announced the new S2K chipset, optimized for theatre screens up to 20 feet (six meters) wide in size for 2D presentations.
Featuring the same core, award-winning technology that powers DLP Cinema’s industry-proven 2K and 4K chipsets, the S2K chip has been engineered for small screens and will meet DCI specifications for image quality, color, and security, allowing for greater versatility, including 3D and high frame rate capabilities. With the new S2K design, motion picture exhibitors from small towns and villages to large metropolitan cities will have access to DLP Cinema’s complete portfolio of cutting-edge projection technologies, each tailored to help ensure an optimal viewing experience with every 2D and 3D showing, regardless of the screen size.
“Moving from film to digital is a critical step in order for exhibitors throughout the U.S. and the world to enter what is undeniably an important era for the entire cinema industry,” said John Fithian, President & CEO, National Association of Theatre Owners. “I commend DLP Cinema’s longstanding industry leadership, and especially its commitment to help exhibitors more easily evolve with this transition, whether they operate a single screen location or a network of multiplexes, and keep movie-going a relevant part of modern American culture.”
“China is a leading proponent of the widespread deployment of digital technology across the cinema industry,” said Cheng Yang, President of Film Distribution and Exhibition Corporation and China Film Digital of China Film Group. “As theatergoers seek opportunities to witness the latest Chinese and foreign content at local cinemas, the benefits of digital projection become even more apparent, and so we applaud the dedication of DLP Cinema to supply the best technologies possible.”
“We continue to build close relationships with exhibitors in India, the Middle East, Latin America and other regions to bring more Hollywood titles to cinemas, and also further the growth of locally-produced content,” said Ranjit Thakur, Founder & C.E.O at Scrabble Entertainment Ltd. “No doubt, it’s an exciting time to witness these and other changes firsthand, which really heighten the demand for digital exhibition options, like DLP Cinema S2K-powered projectors, that can match local exhibitors’ needs and budgets.”
“Our goal has always been to deliver top quality, reliable and attainable digital cinema projection: Our 2K, 4K and new S2K chipsets stand as proof of our continued dedication to exhibitors and their audiences,” said Dave Duncan, manager of DLP Cinema for Texas Instruments. “And with select VPF models expiring soon the S2K chip will offer an affordable solution for small screens to resourcefully switch to digital cinema in every corner of the world.”
All three of DLP Cinema’s OEM licensees – Barco, Christie and NEC – have agreed to develop projector models utilizing the S2K chip design, which will join each manufacturer’s pre-existing DLP Cinema 4K- and 2K-powered product lines. Pre-production versions of the S2K chipset have already been delivered to each licensee for product research and development, with production-ready chipsets currently scheduled for delivery later this year; S2K-powered projectors can be expected to become available to exhibitors for ordering and installation soon after.
To experience firsthand the benefits available from projectors using DLP Cinema technology, please visit our partners Barco, Christie and NEC during CinemaCon 2012. Additionally, join DLP Cinema on Monday, April 23 at 8:15am PT for the International Day Program breakfast, and Tuesday, April 24 at 9:30am PT for the “Salute to the Top Grossing Movies of 2011,” which will honor and illuminate the top 2D and 3D titles from the past year. Additionally, for more information on DLP Cinema, please visit www.DLPCinema.com.
About DLP Cinema
DLP Cinema is a proprietary technology that delivers clear, sharp, bright and accurate images to movie theatres globally. To manufacture and market under the DLP Cinema trademark, technology licensees, including Barco, Christie and NEC, must meet stringent standards and guidelines meant to ensure the best possible performance and picture quality. This digital picture and standard of excellence ensures that a DLP Cinema movie screening looks flawless and each showing is as perfect as the first with no annoying scratches, tears or weaving that detract from the movie going experience. For more information, please visit www.DLPCinema.com/Cinema/DLP-Cinema-Advantages/.
About Texas Instruments DLP Products
Since 1996, Texas Instruments’ award-winning DLP display technology has powered the world’s top projectors and displays, delivering pictures rich with color, contrast, clarity and brightness to screens of all sizes. DLP’s technology spans movie theaters (DLP Cinema®) and large-scale, professional venues; in conference rooms, classrooms, and home theaters; and with DLP Pico™-enabled mobile devices, the ability to project images from the palm of your hand. Every DLP chip features an array of up to 2.2 million microscopic mirrors that switch at ultra high speeds – an innovative advantage that remains cutting edge and ideal for current and future applications alike. The results are high-resolution, highly reliable, razor-sharp images that even work with fast motion video. To learn more about DLP technology, please visit www.DLP.com, or follow DLP on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TI_DLP.
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments semiconductor innovations help 90,000 customers unlock the possibilities of the world as it could be – smarter, safer, greener, healthier and more fun. Our commitment to building a better future is ingrained in everything we do – from the responsible manufacturing of our semiconductors, to caring for our employees, to giving back inside our communities. This is just the beginning of our story. Learn more at www.ti.com.
