The benefits and longstanding promises of digital cinema continue to be realized around the globe in theatres new and old, and of all sizes, with Texas Instruments (TI)(NYSE:TXN) DLP Cinema® technology used to illuminate nearly 75,000 movie theatre screens.
Together with its OEM licensees, Barco, Christie and NEC, DLP Cinema has been able to further meet the ever-changing needs of exhibitors and filmmakers with a complete family of products and technology to share the highest quality, most immersive content and visual experiences possible with audiences. DLP Cinema offers four different chipsets specifically engineered for specific exhibitor preferences and venues – from 4K resolution for screens as wide as 105 feet, to cost-effective 3D- and High Frame Rate-capable (HFR) projection for independent single-screen theatres – that each ensures award-winning image reproduction, longstanding reliability, and forward-thinking upgradability.
“It is an exciting time in the cinema industry. Driven by the end of the film era, theatres converted to DLP Cinema at a record pace in 2012 in every region, and especially in the Asia Pacific,” said Dave Duncan, business manager of DLP Cinema & Professional Display Products for Texas Instruments. “Many companies have worked with distributors and exhibitors to convert an entire industry to digital technology, but there’s still much to be accomplished with independently owned cinemas, art houses and cinemas in emerging markets. It’s gratifying to hear the positive responses from many of the owners that are now able to convert with our new S2K chipset for small screens. Our licensed partners, Barco, Christie and NEC, are experiencing strong and even record-breaking demand for their economical S2K-powered projectors.”
Demand for DLP Cinema digital projection remained exceptionally high in China in the 12 month timeframe between December 1, 2011 and November 30, 2012. The total number of DLP Cinema screens moved to 12,029 from 7,745, once again positioning China as the leading adopter of digital cinema throughout the Asia Pacific, with 57 percent of the DLP Cinema screens in the entire region. Of those screens, 73 percent (8,783) are enabled to show 3D content. As a whole, the Asia Pacific region grew to 21,126 DLP Cinema screens (13,679 as 3D-enabled) for 58 and 64 percent increases respectively between December 1, 2011 and November 30, 2012.
Worldwide adoption of DLP Cinema screens reached 74,965 (up from 51,620), representing a 45 percent boost. In terms of those screens that are 3D-capable, there are now 40,178 globally, for a 33 percent increase from 30,290 previously. The total DLP Cinema worldwide screens do not include IMAX® digital powered by DLP Cinema, which separately reached 529 theatres globally (300 in North America, and 229 internationally), including over 100 theatres in China, and IMAX plans to open 150 more theatres in the next couple of years.
Exhibitors across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) also continued the move to digital in their theatres during the past year, reaching 24,715 DLP Cinema screens total and 13,161 for 3D, shifting upward 40 and 21 percent. Latin American screens powered by DLP Cinema moved to 4,481 for an 85 percent increase, and with 3D, moved to 2,992 screens (28 percent growth).
Also on December 13, during the special awards luncheon to be held at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, DLP Cinema will proudly present its Marketing Achievement Award to Megastar Media Company Ltd. for its outstanding work in exhibition and distribution throughout Vietnam, following the company’s inception in 2005. Megastar’s Chairman and CEO, Brian Hall, will be accepting the award.
“We have always strived to bring our cinemagoers the best possible experiences, starting with our first MegaStar location at the Vincom City Tower in Hanoi,” said Brian Hall. “Vietnam’s box office has grown dramatically over the last several years and DLP Cinema has played a great role by bringing 2D and 3D digital technologies into our cinemas. We look forward to the next generation of innovations from DLP Cinema to help us keep audiences coming again and again.”
To experience DLP Cinema’s suite of award-winning, DCI-compliant technology for the world’s theatres, such as the S2K chipset
, and more, please visit our licensed partners Barco, Christie and NEC on the trade show floor at CineAsia. Additionally, to learn more about DLP Cinema overall, please visit
www.DLPCinema.com.
