Twentieth Century Fox to Supply Its Movies to Christie/AIX DCI-Compliant Digital Cinema Projection Systems; Christie/AIX Will De
17 Oktober 2005 - 9:00PM
Business Wire
In its first long-term commitment to digital cinema, Twentieth
Century Fox ("Fox") has reached an agreement to supply its feature
films to digital cinema projection systems deployed by
Christie/AIX, a unit of Access Integrated Technologies ("AccessIT")
(AMEX:AIX). For Fox, this "first-of-a-kind" distribution
arrangement to supply digital content to projection systems will
include an increasing number of feature films from Twentieth
Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Animation,
and Fox Searchlight Pictures production units. Christie/AIX will
initially deploy up to 4,000 systems throughout the US and Canada
over the next few years. Fox's non-exclusive agreement to supply
its feature films to these Christie/AIX digital projection systems
and to pay virtual print fees for movies projected on
Christie/AIX-funded systems further underscores the studio's
commitment to support Digital Cinema Initiatives, LLC
("DCI")-compliant digital systems and further advances Fox's
support of the industry's transition to digital cinema.
Christie/AIX digital system installations will be DCI-compliant --
either initially, or upgraded to full DCI compliance as components
become available. AccessIT's Christie/AIX unit serves as the
funding vehicle and administrator for the company's 4,000-screen
digital cinema rollout expanded from the plan originally announced
in June 2005. Christie/AIX will act as the financing intermediary
between content-owners -- including major studios and independent
distributors -- and exhibitors, who will utilize the DCI-compliant
digital cinema systems featuring Christie DLP Cinema(R) projectors,
JPEG 2000 servers and related hardware and software including
AccessIT's unique Theatre Command Center. The raising of capital
for funding of the initial 200 systems was completed on July 21,
2005 and orders for these systems have been placed. Installation of
150 systems is anticipated by December 31, 2005. Bruce Snyder,
President of Distribution at Twentieth Century Fox, said: "We could
not be more thrilled. We look forward to supporting our partners,
Christie/AIX, in this venture and in delivering Fox movies to their
systems. We believe the efficiency, image quality and, most
importantly, the overall movie going experience will be greatly
enhanced through these DCI-compliant digital projection systems.
Christie has been developing their DLP Cinema projectors for many
years and they have proven to be of the highest quality.
Additionally, these systems should provide our partners in
exhibition with alternative uses and benefits." Julian Levin,
Executive Vice President, Twentieth Century Fox, who spearheaded
Fox's participation in the DCI process and is also the senior Fox
architect for this arrangement with Christie/AIX, added: "Having
been involved in the digital cinema transition for almost four
years, I am delighted to have concluded this arrangement with our
friends at Christie/AIX for the distribution of Fox product to
their digital projection systems. I have worked with all the folks
at Christie/AIX throughout the ongoing transition from conventional
mechanical film projectors to digital systems and Christie's
projectors have always been at the forefront of the technology."
Chuck Goldwater, President and Chief Operating Officer of
Christie/AIX, added: "Today's announcement enables the evolution of
digital cinema to take another great step forward. We are pleased
to secure Fox's early and invaluable support for our digital cinema
rollout plan." Jack Kline, President and COO, Christie, noted: "Fox
has been a visionary leader in helping to establish the critical
standards for digital cinema, a key factor in assuring exhibitors
of compatibility and interoperability. With Fox's commitment to
this rollout, digital cinema is no longer a dream, but a practical
reality that will benefit the Hollywood community and the
exhibitors, making them partners in bringing this exciting new
technology to theaters. It is a win-win situation that will provide
moviegoers with the highest quality visual experience today." Bud
Mayo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AccessIT, said: "We
have enjoyed a long relationship with Fox, clearly one of the
pioneers in the digital distribution of feature films. Its
commitment to digital content distribution and exhibition is an
important milestone in the broad adoption of digital cinema by the
entire industry." About Twentieth Century Fox One of the world's
largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, Fox Filmed
Entertainment produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures
throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or
acquired by the following units of FFE: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox
2000, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox Animation.
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
www.christiedigital.com. 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 theaters 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
www.accessitx.com. DLP Cinema(R) is a registered trademark of Texas
Instruments.
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