The Walt Disney Studios' Distribution Arm Buena Vista Pictures Distribution Commits Content to Christie/AIX Deployment of DCI-Co
15 September 2005 - 8:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
BURBANK, Calif., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Walt Disney
Studios' distribution arm Buena Vista Pictures Distribution (BVPD)
and Access Integrated Technologies' (AccessIT) (AMEX:AIX)
Christie/AIX unit have entered into a groundbreaking non-exclusive
agreement to supply feature films from Walt Disney Pictures and
Touchstone Pictures to DCI-compliant digital projection systems to
be deployed by Christie/AIX. Christie/AIX will install between
2,500 and 4,000 systems throughout the United States and Canada
over the next two years. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050627/LAM109LOGO) Just over
one month ago, Digital Cinema Initiatives, LLC (DCI), a joint
venture of Disney and other major studios, issued the final
technical specification for theatrical digital equipment.
Christie/AIX's installation plan marks the first mass deployment
following the DCI specification's release. The benefits of DCI
compliance should be apparent to consumers as the systems initially
deployed by Christie/AIX will include DCI-compliant compression,
the state of the art in moving image projection which delivers the
highest-quality DLP Cinema (R) image to the movie screen. All
systems will be upgraded to full DCI compliance as soon as the
hardware is available. Disney is the first major studio to sign an
agreement to provide content for Christie/AIX digital systems.
Recently, in an unprecedented move, Disney led the film industry by
introducing Disney Digital 3D(TM), using Christie DLP Cinema
projectors and Dolby servers. Audiences can enjoy this true
three-dimensional digital experience in movie theaters on November
4, 2005, with the highly anticipated release of the Walt Disney
animated film Chicken Little. AccessIT's Christie/AIX unit serves
as the funding vehicle and administrator for the company's 4,000
screen digital cinema rollout plan expanded from the one originally
announced in June 2005. Under the plan, Christie/AIX will act as a
financing intermediary between content owners -- including major
studios and independent distributors -- and exhibitors who will
utilize DCI-compliant digital cinema systems including 2K
projectors and related hardware and software. The raising of
capital for funding of the initial 200 systems was completed on
July 21, 2005. "We are thrilled that we have come to an agreement
with Christie/AIX to supply content to their digital projection
systems, and we will continue to support other deployment plans in
order to ensure the future success of the exhibition industry,"
said Chuck Viane, president, BVPD. "DCI-compliant digital cinema
rollouts will allow consumers to enjoy the highest quality cinema
experience available while providing clear benefits to exhibition
partners. We couldn't be more pleased with the top-of-the-line
performance of Christie projectors and look forward to seeing our
films presented in the highest digital viewing quality available. "
"We appreciate the importance of this signing as a major step
forward for AccessIT and the industry," commented Bud Mayo,
chairman and chief executive officer of AccessIT. "Disney has
always been extremely forward-thinking in the digital cinema space,
and in supporting this venture in particular. We expect this to be
the first of several signings with studios in the next month or so,
accompanied by agreements with exhibitors. The contribution of
Christie to this and other contemplated signings cannot be
overstated. As we expand the number of stakeholders in this
groundbreaking venture, AccessIT is proud to be a key member on
such an impressive team. We fully expect the deployment to begin in
October with at least 150 screens in time for Christmas." Jack
Kline, president and COO, Christie, noted, "Exhibitors were one of
our top priorities when we crafted the agreement. We wanted to
ensure that maintenance costs remained similar to that of film
projection while providing higher quality images. Disney, an
innovator and leader in the art of entertainment, is an important
part of the equation. By marrying their leadership with our
understanding of the unique needs of the exhibition community,
moviegoers everywhere will be the big winners, enjoying the
spectacular visual experience of digital cinema technology that is
unmatched by anything they have ever seen before." Chuck Goldwater,
president and COO of Christie/AIX added, "The Disney contract is
the first of several announcements concerning our rollout plan that
we expect to make in the weeks ahead. It re-affirms our confidence
that the plan is viable, practical and workable for all industry
participants. We are encouraged and grateful for the growing
support from the studios and from exhibitors, which will enable
AccessIT to continue to help drive the industry's transition to the
digital future." About The Walt Disney Studios The Walt Disney
Studios is a unit of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) and
distributes motion pictures under Walt Disney Pictures -- which
includes Walt Disney Feature Animation and DisneyToon Studios --
Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax Films and
Dimension Films. Buena Vista International serves as the studio's
international distribution arm. Buena Vista Home Entertainment and
Buena Vista Home Entertainment International together distribute
Disney and other film titles to the rental and sell-through home
entertainment markets worldwide. Buena Vista Theatrical Productions
is one of the largest producers of Broadway musicals, and the Buena
Vista Music Group distributes original music and motion picture
soundtracks under its four record labels: Walt Disney Records,
Buena Vista Records, Hollywood Records and Lyric Street Records.
About AccessIT Access Integrated Technologies Inc. (AccessIT) is an
industry leader in offering a fully managed storage and electronic
delivery service for owners and distributors of digital content to
movie heaters and other venues. Supported by its robust platform of
fail-safe Internet data centers, AccessIT is able to leverage the
market-leading role of its Theatrical Distribution System (TDS)
with its innovative digital delivery capabilities and in-theatre
software systems to provide the highest level of technology
available to enable the emerging digital cinema industry to
transition from film with changing workflows. For more information
on AccessIT, visit http://www.accessitx.com/. About Christie
Christie is a leader in visual solutions for world-class
organizations, offering diverse applications for business,
entertainment, and industry. A leading innovator in film projection
since 1929 and a pioneer in digital projection systems since 1979,
Christie has established a global reputation as a total service
provider and the world's single source manufacturer of a variety of
display technologies and solutions. Christie offers comprehensive
solutions for cinema, large audience venues, control rooms,
business presentations, training facilities, 3D and Virtual
Reality, simulation and education as well as industrial and
government environments. For more information, visit
http://www.christiedigital.com/. DLP Cinema is a registered
trademark of Texas Instruments. Contact Details: Heidi Trotta The
Walt Disney Studios 818.560.7280 Dorina Belu Christie 519.749.3323
http://www.christiedigital.com/ Suzanne Tregenza Moore Access
Integrated Technologies, Inc. 973.290.0080
http://www.accessitx.com/
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050627/LAM109LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Walt Disney Studios
CONTACT: Heidi Trotta of Walt Disney Studios, +1-818-560-7280, ; or
Dorina Belu of Christie, +1-519-749-3323, ; or Suzanne Tregenza
Moore of Access Integrated Technologies, Inc., +1-973-290-0080, Web
Site: http://www.accessitx.com/ Web Site:
http://www.christiedigital.com/
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