posted 03-23-2005 03:38 PM                       

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LAS VEGAS, March 11 /PRNewswire/ — Kodak is offering a first look at new additions to the company's networked digital cinema system here at the annual ShoWest conference for motion picture distributors and exhibitors. The upgraded system incorporates high definition 720p image decoding, a new HD projector, and surround sound capability.

"Most pre-show systems today offer standard definition images with stereo audio," says Bill Doeren, general manager of Kodak Digital Cinema. "By enabling our system to deliver high definition images with surround sound, the pre-show can be a more engaging and entertaining experience for cinema audiences."

The Kodak Digital Cinema system includes a package consisting of proprietary software, as well as hardware and services to prepare, distribute, and display quality pre-show advertising through feature movie presentations on theatre screens.

The full system is being demonstrated on multiple cinema screens at ShoWest at a special event prior to feature presentations attended by hundreds of industry professionals. "It's important for us to demonstrate our system in a real world environment to some of the most demanding audiences," Doeren says.

For the pre-show demonstrations, Kodak is using the new three-chip DLP high definition ScreenPlay 333 projectors from InFocus.

"High definition projection is the next step for pre-show presentations," says Doeren. "On the InFocus projectors, the images are brighter and sharper with a greater range of contrast and more color saturation. Combined with surround sound, they make everything, including concerts and other events, a more enjoyable experience. HD images on our system have a crispness and depth that seem to jump off the screen."

Doeren emphasizes there is still a difference between high definition and motion picture-grade quality. For feature presentations, the company is demonstrating the new Kodak CineServer, which is compatible with a range of digital projectors up to 2K resolution. Kodak is using the Barco 2K DLP projector to show trailers and motion picture content at ShoWest.

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