GDC Technology Limited, (“GDC”) a leading global provider of digital cinema solutions,
announced today its sponsorship included providing the ultra-high frame rate media server for the 2023 Supersession
presented at The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) Tech Retreat.
The Supersession presented an original,
immersive look at the remarkable creative and technical accomplishments of “Avatar: The Way of Water” using
GDC’s SR5400C Standalone Integrated Media Block™ with FAST (Flexible Architecture Stable Technology) high frame rate capability
to show the movie in 4K 3D at 48 frames per second per eye. GDC’s media servers with FAST are the only media servers
available in the market to meet filmmakers’ rigorous standards of such a high resolution and frame rate with a single
digital cinema projector or direct view display.
The Supersession, which took place over a full day on February 21st highlighted the people, companies and workflows
that helped create and deliver James Cameron’s brilliant vision to the screens optimized with GDC’s SR-5400C. The
Supersession was presented in a theater specifically designed to deliver an immersive cinematic experience. The theater
was set up with three large screens: The center screen was used for video and oral presentations; the right and left
screens were used exclusively for the content selected by the filmmaker. The content was projected in 4K, 3D and high
frame rate by a single RGB laser projector, which were powered by GDC’s SR-5400C.
Key features and benefits of GDC’s SR-5400 Series
CineCache™
The SR-5400 Series is designed with diskless CineCache (built-in cache memory). Content playback can be
performed without the need of local HDD storage.
Supports the playback of thousands of movies
Take full advantage of show scheduling with Ultra Storage technology which enables the playback of over 2,000
movies when combined with Cinema Automation CA2.0 central server.
High reliability
Ultra-reliable SR-Series media servers with built-in embedded power electronics used in medical and military
products ensuring the overall system stability.
Compatibility with next generation DLP Cinema® projectors
The SR-5400 Series can play DCP content in 4K 3D and up to 4K at 96 frames per second and seamlessly
integrates with the next generation of DLP Cinema projectors.
User-friendly and intuitive web-based user interface with wireless access
The web-based UI is user-friendly and intuitive. With drag-and-drop, filtering and navigating functions, operators
can easily switch between tabs or pages. Other than accessing the UI through a computer or a laptop, wireless
access is also enabled by using mobile devices such as a smart phone or a tablet.
“GDC’s passion for innovation is driven by listening to our customers and understanding their evolving needs as the
industry develops new filmmaking techniques to attract and engross audiences”, said Pranay Kumar, CTO of GDC
Technology. “Our FAST media servers were developed for exhibitors to screen movies beyond the traditional frame rate
and deliver the filmmaker’s vision. The HPA Retreat was the perfect venue to showcase the capability of one of the most
innovative products in our history.”
“From the very outset of planning the Supersession, there was no film or topic as compelling as the creative technology
and innovation behind Avatar: The Way of Water," said Loren Nielsen, vice president content and strategy for Xperi, who
led the 2023 Supersession committee. "Understanding how this gargantuan project was planned, managed and executed
its creative vision is the sort of topic we love to get our heads around at the HPA Tech Retreat. It was an absolute honor
to work with the GDC team behind the scenes of delivering this content for the Supersession.”
