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Doremi Cinema to Equip Odeon/UCI’s Digital Cinema Expansion
January 2009 - Doremi Cinema has been selected by Odeon/UCI, Europe’s largest cinema operator, to supply the next phase of its Digital Cinema expansion with DCP-2000 servers enabling 3D playback.
Beginning this month, Doremi will equip 70 new Odeon/UCI screens throughout the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Austria bringing the total number of DCI compliant screens to 111.
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European Theaters Prepare
For Upcoming 3D Films
December 2008 - In another step on the road to cinema digitization in Europe, leading exhibition group Odeon-UCI said it is planning on digitizing 111 of its 200 cinemas in Europe. Move will cost £4 million ($6 million), chief exec Rupert Gavin told the Daily Telegraph.
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Dutch indie theatres embrace digital cinema with AAM deal
February 2009 - Dutch independent chain the Amsterdam Booking Company (ABC) has signed a digital cinema rollout deal with Arts Alliance Media (AAM) to convert 68 screens in 20 theatres. AAM will hope it represents a significant breakthrough in a stalled D-cinema conversion programme in Europe.
ABC then plans to follow that up with a flurry of 3D specials such as Up (Pixar/Disney), Ice Age 3 (Twentieth Century Fox), Planet 51 (Sony Pictures), and James Cameron's Avatar (Twentieth Century Fox).
ABC has a 10% share of the Dutch market and as the owner, Paul Visser, explained, "We see clearly what the future of cinema is going to be – digital, 3D and live events. AAM is the best partner to make that happen and enable us to be the first widespread movers in the Netherlands."
To date, AAM has installed 420 digital cinema screens in Europe across the UK, France, Spain and Norway. The company is currently completing the 400-screen rollout in France's Circuit George Raymond (CGR Cinémas).
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Sound Associates Installs 3D Projection Systems for Odeon Cinemas
February 2009 - ODEON and UCI Cinemas, Europe’s largest cinema operator, is currently installing dozens of new 3D screens as it further extends its network of DCI-compliant Digital Cinema screens in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany & Austria. Sound Associates, the UK‘s leading cinema equipment integrator, is installing the 31 systems for phase 1 in the UK. As part of the strategy, ODEON & UCI will triple its coverage of 3D digital screens in response to the wealth of 3D blockbusters due for release in 2009.
By the end of March, over 100 sites across Europe will be equipped for 3D, with 52 screens in the UK alone, more than any other UK exhibitor. Following its site survey of each location, Sound Associates assembled, configured and tested each system at its facility in West London prior to installation. A system consists of an NEC projector, Qube or Doremi server, Real D 3D system and appropriate network and ADSL hardware and cabling – all housed in the specially adapted Sound Associates SA DigiBase.
Drew Kaza, Executive Vice President of Digital Development for ODEON and UCI Cinemas, said, “The installs have been going incredibly smoothly. We are pleased that the vast majority of upgraded screens are actually running ahead of schedule at this stage, enabling us to unveil the benefits of 3D even sooner to our film fanatics across the UK. This is the next important step as we accelerate our moves into digital in 2009.”
Graham Lodge, Managing Director of Sound Associates, said “We are delighted to be working with ODEON and UCI on this groundbreaking project and I am particularly pleased that our engineers are managing to keep up with the demanding install schedule. ODEON and UCI have been able to show 3D films ahead of the planned date – this has to be good for the cinemas and for the customers”.
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