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Author Topic: Anyone dealt with Scrabble Ventures? David E. Nedrow Master Film Handler Posts: 368 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Oct 2008 posted 02-21-2014 07:18 PM                        Someone had some information about Scrabble Ventures in this thread . I received a call today from B3 Media about the program. They sent me a quote, which basically matches what was previously posted. It sounds like an interesting proposal, but I'm afraid it's one of those too-good-to-be-true scenarios. Be3 Media Scrabble Ventures, LLC Interview with head of Scrabble  |  IP: Logged Dennis Benjamin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1445 From: Denton, MD Registered: Feb 2002 posted 02-22-2014 07:57 PM                        It's for real. I've seen the equipment when it arrived at a location. One big cost factor not accounted for in that price list on the other thread: Install. Let's see: There are also no pedestals listed (and none at the location I speak of), nothing regarding sound equipment, and if you are getting involved in a V.P.F. program - you have to find a N.O.C. If you are using Scrabble Ventures, you will automatically have to use Christie. Oh, that's right - Scrabble Ventures address is: 10550 Camden Dr, Cypress, CA 90630 Which is the same as Christie Digital Systems.  |  IP: Logged Barry Floyd Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1079 From: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 02-24-2014 12:45 PM                        I haven't personally used them, but do know of several drive-in owners who have. It's a lease deal, and for them it was the only way they could make the jump to digital. Some of them have been posting photos of their new installations, and it was the first time I had seen a "Network Array Storage" solution used in place of a full blown digital cinema server like a Doremi, GDC, Dolby, etc. I still haven't figured out how it works, but I'd assume it does.  |  IP: Logged Carsten Kurz Film God Posts: 4340 From: Cologne, NRW, Germany Registered: Aug 2009 posted 02-24-2014 01:33 PM                     NAS is for 'Network Attached Storage'. It's an optional item that can be used with every common cinema projection system/server. Basically it's just storage space extension and sharing between multiple servers. Some locations have it, some not. - Carsten  |  IP: Logged Andrew Thomas Master Film Handler Posts: 273 From: Pearland, TX, USA Registered: Jun 2012 posted 02-24-2014 09:28 PM                     We are in their program. REALLY decent folks to do business with. Just read everything they send you with regard to cost, nothing is hidden but you could easily miss something if you aren't paying attention. When you add everything up at the end, it's actually a pretty cheap financing program. We've had no issues at all (they even let us delay our first lease payment when our opening date got pushed back 6 weeks) and the costs are exactly what they quoted initially. Highly recommended for the indie that doesn't have the upfront capital or credit to get going.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 02-24-2014 10:38 PM                     I just had one customer pass on it and buy the NC-900. When he understood that the IMB was a fixed part of the projector even he disliked that. They do offer install and they REQUIRE periodic service... he sent me his quote and it seemed pretty high. Going with the NC-900 and GDC IMB saved him at least 8 grand plus what ever interest and needless fees he would have had to pay.  |  IP: Logged Andrew Thomas Master Film Handler Posts: 273 From: Pearland, TX, USA Registered: Jun 2012 posted 02-25-2014 12:12 PM                     I got 5 different quotes on the projection equipment we ended up going with...Scrabble/Christie were right in the middle and all were within a 7.5% range.  |  IP: Logged David E. Nedrow Master Film Handler Posts: 368 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Oct 2008 posted 02-26-2014 03:52 PM                        quote: Mark G. Going with the NC-900 and GDC IMB saved him at least 8 grand plus what ever interest and needless fees he would have had to pay. Fine, but that sounds like he had access to the funding needed for an outright purchase. For theatres that don't, this seems like a reasonable solution. Maybe the only one.  |  IP: Logged Andrew Thomas Master Film Handler Posts: 273 From: Pearland, TX, USA Registered: Jun 2012 posted 02-28-2014 12:29 PM                     Exactly. We converted the 4 screen we renovated with only $30k upfront, including install costs. The interest rate is very low, and their are no credit requirements. Just sign over your VPFs to Scrabble. And in our experience thus far, because the VPFs are so low to begin with...no distributor has had any issue booking a movie with us that didn't have to do with us being ranked too low to get it on the break anyway. It's a good deal for people without a lot of capital and/or books that don't support loans through traditional banks.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 02-28-2014 01:46 PM                     Who owns the equipment at the end of the term? Is it a lease or a purchase?  |  IP: Logged Andrew Thomas Master Film Handler Posts: 273 From: Pearland, TX, USA Registered: Jun 2012 posted 02-28-2014 05:01 PM                     You can either keep the equipment in exchange for the deposit, or get your deposit back and give up the equipment.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 02-28-2014 05:42 PM                     So you are saying that it $7,500/screen for the equipment at the end (using your $30,000 for 4-screens to come up with that number)?  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 03-12-2014 12:18 PM                     One customer of mine just went with Scrabble. This was the only customer that I thought would not make it through to digital as all the lease companies and all the banks had turned them down. Luckily, he did not end up with the el crapo CP-2210 but a better Solaria model instead and he couldn't remember the server he was given. The install did not go smooth for him at all and he was down a total of 8 days to convert his single screen over (YEP!). Projector went in ok but the two techs sent in from San Antonio could not get the sound to work. They started out by hanging a D to A on his existing USL JS-100. No go. So they had a new processor sent in. After much a doo they got that to work and 8 days later he was back on screen minus his right channel... which I now have to go fix. All I bet that was wrong in the first place was that they had the wrong AES cable. Pretty pathetic install IMHO but they did ultimately let him keep the new processor for free. Oh they tried to ding him 3500 bucks for it but he had already signed the contract with Scrabble that said he'd have a working booth by such and such a date. And Scrabble had already broken that part of the contract... I don't know who these installers were... but be very wary of them if you sign on the dotted line! Mark  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 03-13-2014 09:06 AM                     You have it backwards Mark...the CP2210 was fine...it is the Solaria 1/1+ that is on the econo side that has had numerous reported issues. Also, with a Solaria 1/1+...your choice of server is the Christie IMB with a NAS. Most Scrabble people get this "option." Drive-Ins on the Scrabble plan got the larger CP2220/CP2230s but again with the Christie IMB and NAS.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 03-13-2014 12:23 PM                     Gee, you're right. He wasn't 100% sure what it was. He just said it says Solaria on the side. I'm not sure the Solaria is big enough for his screen. I'll see the system right after CinemaCon. I woldn't have any issues with NAS as that is where the whole industry is heading. But I would with a fixed media block. Mark  |  IP: Logged

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