The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and the Media
Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) are collaborating to develop the
Digital Cinema industry in Singapore, riding on the combined strengths of both
agencies. IDA’s efforts in building capabilities and capacity in processing,
management and distribution of digital content complements MDA’s efforts in
nurturing content development. Together, both agencies will ensure a complete
pull-through from content creation to exhibition in the Digital Cinema space.
Digital Cinema heralds a new era for the cinema industry. Digital Cinema is
about the digital transformation of today’s celluloid film-based distribution and
exhibition systems. This transformation is considered to be the most significant
technological advancement in the cinema industry since the advent of digital
sound. It opens up many new possibilities – greater variety of content, lower cost
of distribution and exhibition of better quality. In turn, this will open doors
to
greater business opportunities for the local Infocomm and Media industry, and
potentially create up to 5,0001 jobs over the next three years in areas such as
post-production and infrastructural support.
IDA and the MDA recognise that globally, important changes are underway in the
cinema distribution market due to the ability of Infocomm and Media technologies
to move and manage content in bits and bytes. This emerging digital delivery will
change the manner in which businesses deliver movies and entertainment to
audiences worldwide, and how consumers experience movie-watching in
cinemas. For instance, movie-distributors can save on reel duplication costs as
well as encrypt digital content to ensure greater security and prevent piracy.
Movie-goers can also enjoy the latest block-bluster movies with simultaneous
releases or the transmission of ‘live’ concerts from other countries. In view of
the
significant impact that Infocomm technology will have on the cinema industry and
the significant2 growth potential, IDA and the MDA are therefore taking the lead
to develop the Digital Cinema industry and to stake Singapore’s position as an
early-mover in the digital space.
Taking the first step to develop Singapore’s Digital Cinema industry is the IDA-MDA
collaboration with Eng Wah Organization to turn 20 of its cinema screens
digital, and installing another outdoor screen at the Legends Fort Canning Park
over the next one year. IDA and the MDA are supporting Eng Wah’s Digital
Cinema roll-out in the areas of equipping these 21 screens with leading edge
digital equipment, fibre and satellite connectivity as well as manpower capability
development.
Speaking at the launch of Eng Wah Organization’s digital cinema deployment,
IDA Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Tan Ching Yee, said, “IDA is excited about Eng
Wah’s launch. The application of Infocomm technology in entertainment
promises significant cost-savings, new economic activities and jobs, and a
superior movie-going experience. Singapore is now a step closer in our quest to
be a leading global Digital Exchange where not just capital, people and ideas but
also digital assets come together. Through this, IDA targets to increase the
value of digital transactions through Singapore from the current S$150million to
S$500million by 2006."
Mr. Lim Hock Chuan, the Chief Executive Officer of the MDA said, "The MDA is
excited by the potential and prospects of digital media. We are happy to support
Eng Wah as it takes the step in converting its cinema screens to digital cinema.
We believe that digital cinema will take off in a big way as more filmmakers and
cinema operators adopt the technology. This will in turn make the transmission
and screening of movies, advertisements, trailers and other digital content such
as concerts and sports events in cinemas possible. Deploying digital media is a
strategy under the MDA's Media 21 strategy to develop Singapore into a vibrant
global media city. The initiative announced today brings us a step closer towards
that vision."
Commenting on the launch, Ms. Goh Min Yen, Managing Director, Eng Wah
Organization Ltd., said, “As the only publicly-listed movie exhibitor and
distributor, Eng Wah has always been keen to venture into higher value-added
areas, where cinema technology is concerned, to enhance shareholder value.
The impact of efficiencies and savings from Digital Cinema to our cinema
operations, on top of the enhanced cinema experience, will be significant. We are
indeed proud to partner IDA and the MDA on this far-sighted initiative. The valueadd
to the media industry and the opportunities to create knowledge- and
technology-driven niche industries in Singapore will be immense.”
"We applaud the forward thinking vision of both IDA and the MDA in strongly
supporting this Digital Cinema initiative," said Mr. Sjoerd De Clerck, Managing
Director of Barco Digital Cinema. "This further enhances the leading technology
role Singapore already enjoys in the region and therefore we are proud to be
associated with this initiative as well as with Eng Wah organization who once
again show a tremendous enthusiasm to invest in technology to enhance
productivity and Customer Service for the benefit of the movie going patron", he
continued.
Dr Chong Man Nang, GDC Technology CEO said, “Singapore has chosen the
best time to develop the Digital Cinema industry. The recent announcement from
DCI on the studios’ consensus to adopt the 2K and 4K specifications for
projectors and servers for Multiplex are indications of the growing maturity of
Digital Cinema technologies. We are pleased to supply Eng Wah Organization
the most advanced GDC Technology’s real-time Cineplex Central Server that
can help schedule any movies to playback on any screens, hence maximizing
the revenue from all category of movies. This would be the world’s first full Digital
Cinema Multiplex’s installation. GDC Technology seeks to establish a long-term,
mutually beneficial relationship with Eng Wah Organization, IDA and the MDA,
and provide Singapore with the most advanced products and services she needs
to help her grow and compete in the era of digital entertainment.”
The IDA-MDA collaboration with Eng Wah is an exciting first step that will
stimulate S$9 million in industry spending over the next one year and trigger
demand for equipment purchase and supporting services such as digital content
processing, storage, management and distribution. It will also bring about
manpower training to upgrade the skills set of the industry. This Digital Cinema
deployment will position Singapore as a leader in Digital Cinema in Asia.
