XDC, Qubo and Dynamic Launch “DDCinema”, The First Pan-European Alternative Content Distribution Initiative

"XDC announced today that it has signed a cooperation agreement with Qubo and Dynamic to launch, promote and manage the distribution of digital cinema alternative content through the DDCinema service platform. The initial purpose is the distribution of lyrical operas, produced at the most prestigious European theatres, with a mix of recorded and live events. DDCinema will offer to cinemas an eclectic range of alternative content, i.e. all programming content other than films, trailers and advertising content, including, but not limited to, television programs, sporting events, stage productions, concerts, documentaries, anime films and live events.

As Fabrice Testa, Marketing & Operations Manager of XDC, pointed out, “DDCinema alternative content programmes will be available to all exhibitors across Europe equipped with 2K digital projectors - about 700 screens today.” He added: “Any MXF interoperable D-Cinema server will be able to play back any alternative content prepared by the XDC Digital Content Lab, DDCinema offer is thus not only limited to the screens connected to XDC’s Network Operations Centre.”

Today, the DDCinema platform already offers about 25 opera titles, and on 27th January 2008 it will offer the first live broadcast from Palermo, Italy, on the opening night of the season of Teatro Massimo, one of the most beautiful theatres in the world. The opera in question, featuring singers of international renown, will be a new production of Arrigo Boito’s Mefistofele, a spectacular work taken from W. Goethe’s Faust. More live events are planned from Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Teatro La Fenice di Venezia, Teatro Liceu of Barcelona, Teatro Real of Madrid, and other renowned venues."

Source: DCinemaToday

European Exhbitor CGR Cinémas Selects Doremi Cinema's DCP-2000 Server for Arts Alliance Media Rollout

"Doremi Cinema is proud to announce that its DCP-2000 cinema server has been selected by Circuit George Raymond (CGR Cinémas) for all its 400 screens in France. The DCP-2000 installation will be part of an exclusive Virtual Print Fee (VPF) based agreement with Arts Alliance Media (AAM), Europe's leading provider of digital distribution services. With this agreement CGR Cinémas will become the first European exhibitor to convert completely to Digital Cinema exhibition.

CGR Cinémas chose Doremi's DCP-2000 server out of the brands evaluated and selected by AAM. Christie Digital has been chosen to provide digital cinema projectors and French cinema integration and services company Cine Digital Service will provide local installation and support services.

Two hundred screens are scheduled to be completed during the first year of the rollout that is set to begin in the first quarter of 2008. Eight screens will be equipped in December this year, in time for 3D digital cinema screenings during the Christmas holidays. In addition to the players, Doremi Cinema will also provide the Theater Management System (TMS) and the gateway integration with CGR Cinémas POS/Ticketing system developped by Monnaie Services. The Smartjog secured media delivery network will also be interfaced with the DCP2000 & TMS.

CGR Cinémas is a leading and expanding cinema chain in France. The company is well known for the success of its multiplexes in many mid-size cities across the country, for the efficiency of its cost management and for its profitability. By becoming the first European cinema chain to go fully digital, CGR Cinémas is demonstrating that it is an innovative company, ready to embrace new technology to deliver the best possible quality cinema experience.

CGR Cinémas is the first European exhibitor to sign up to a VPF-based rollout. The VPF business model is a means of financing the conversion to Digital Cinema, where both distributor and exhibitor contribute over time towards the total cost of the digital projection and server equipment, funded up front by the rollout entity AAM. The VPF model has been proven in North America, with over 4,320 digital screens installed to date, all using Doremi Cinema servers and Christie's digital cinema projection systems.

This agreement will see the number of theatres equipped with Doremi Cinema servers reach the 1,000 milestone in the EMEA region alone; and will add to the over 4,500 installations of Doremi Cinema players installed in the world today."

Source: DCinemaToday

Access IT Announces International Distribution Agreement with Doremi for its Theatre Command Center and Library Management System

"Capitalizing on their successful collaboration in the U.S. digital cinema market, Access Integrated Technologies (“AccessIT”) announced a non-exclusive distribution agreement with Doremi Labs Inc. (“Doremi”) for territories outside of the United States. The agreement allows Doremi to bundle their world leading media server with AccessIT's unique Theatre Command Center software and Library Management System, a proven solution that is supporting more than 3700 screens in the United States.

Two successful pilot programs with cinema companies in the United Kingdom and Ireland kick-started this effort which enables AccessIT to expand its reach outside of the United States, while providing first response support via Doremi, a trusted partner."

Source: DCinemaToday