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Regal Cinemas To Go 4K Digital

Posted on Sunday, May 17th, 2009 by Peter Sciretta

The digital revolution has begun. Earlier this year AMC announced that they had signed a $315 million deal to install Sony 4K digital projectors in their entire 309 theater circuit and 4,628 screens. Now Sony has inked a deal with Regal Entertainment to convert a minimum of 5,000 of the exhibitor’s 6,700 screens in 550 theaters.

The two deals, which are set to be completed in the next three to five years, will comprise of over 11,000 screens with Sony 4K digital projectors. Holding out has paid off for the exhibitors, because 4K projectors are not “just marginally more expensive” than the couple year old 2K projectors.

The result will be a huge change in the way we experience movies theatrically. 3D movies will have more screens, allowing them more weeks in exhibition. Many of you might recall that Coraline got pushed out of Digital 3D theaters after only a couple weeks to make room for another 3D film.More 3D capable theaters will finally prove if the technology is a fad or the future.

Theatrical video on demand will become more of a possibility, with social networks and groups deciding what movie could play at any given time. Theaters wouldn’t be restricted to the same 10 film title line-up, and would be able to swap in smaller films, which normally wouldn’t be given any exhibition space at all, in possibly less desirable time slots (afternoons or weekdays, 1 screening a week…etc).

Right now independent films are limited by the amount of prints they can produce and full time slots they are able to book, usually only in art house screens. Digital distribution will hopefully change everything, giving people in smaller towns and markets a chance to experience movies that would probably only make it to the top 20 major cities. We live in very interesting times.

source: THR

Comments

JustinBrown

You're also forgetting that ticket prices will probably come down (or, they should) and there will probably be a lot of experimental day-and-date releases.

DIck Jones

Since when has a movie theatre reduced its price?
This whole new system of distribution will allow them to charge a premium if anything.

Granted, if it allows films that would normally just play in key markets a wider expansion its a good thing. However, if a theatre is primarily a place that nickel and dimes its customers at every corner, then having the convenience of seeing a seeing a movie at a desired show time will no doubt come as an extra expense.

JustinBrown

Because digital prints are far less expensive than film prints to produce and ship (and that's now, when they aren't nearly as common as they will be in 5-7 years). Digital projectors being more common will, in turn, spark more films being shot digitally, which will cut the costs of printing/distribution by 80%. Not only that, but shooting digitally can streamline the production process (i.e., you can see dailies the same day, not the next day), thereby lowering the cost of films even more.

Logically, ticket prices shouldn't go up as much as they have in the last decade or so. I'm not saying it's a guarantee as there's inevitably going to be the period where the theaters try to recoup the expenses from the digital transition. Plus, theater chains practically have an oligopoly going so they could do whatever they wanted but there's no good reason for prices to go up.

Now, in the case of something like "theater viewing on demand", sure, they can charge more. But that's not what I'm talking about.

Jeffrey Katzenberg

All spot on points, however, as others have commented on with amcs management change, there's allot of restructuring going on in general. And not all of it is going to benefit the moving going public.

While the result of this change over time will eventually lead to the elimination of physical prints, that doesn't take away from the fact that the theaters will justify their price raise by exploiting this new technology, just as they do with IMAX.

And just like IMAX, sony will no doubt charge a hefty licensing fee tacked onto each projector. So each studio that wants to supply a digital print over a a physical one, will no doubt be subjected to this too, and pass this price along to the customer.

However, since digital projectors allow them to offset the cost of physical prints over time, Id guess that food prices would go down, since thats where theatre's make a bulk of their net anyways.

Anon.

I work for AMC and my theatre is all digital, and the price that Sony charges us per month to rent out the projectors is insane. If anything, it will drive prices up.

John Gavin

I am not sure that ticket prices will drop, but I am already seeing
the variety of content increasing, in Japan. I expect the same
economics are playing out else where. For theatres to go digital they
have to outlay a large wads of cash or credit. This is something that will
take many years to pay back or recoup. Then there are VPF deals, where
there is little or no up front but higher ongoing costs and less freedom,
as the content is largely controlled by the VPF provider.

What is exciting, is the interest stoked by digital, for alternative content.
It is now easier to make a package for playback and I think there will be
a slow but steady increase in alternative content, available to cinema's.
I personally look forward to seeing sporting events in 3D, maybe at 30P
for cleaner movements across the screen.

blckmanjew

depressing, i am just not looking forward to 3D movies..

Eddy Movies

This isn't just about 3D movies. This is about what 4K means for the independent filmmaker, and it's potential is huge.

Color me excited.

Brad

Have you watched any? I can understand why someone whose only 3d experience is the old anaglyphic red/blue lenses would be depressed by the movie to 3D, but - having seen about 6 or 7 films in the new batch of 3D - I have been blown away.

I know it isn't appropriate for everything, but the current tech is fantastic and I just don't understand how any film fan could not be excited for it at least on some level.

I hear a lot of negativity about it though, so I'm sure folks like yourself must have a reason. I just don't get it.

Hot Rod

Off topic but AMC is going to change a lot in general, not just projectors. I work for the company and the new CEO is changing EVERYTHING with little or no explanation at that. We're going to push coffee big time(hot beverage, dark theater. great idea) no more staff supervisors(demote the best employees who make sure things get done to save a buck) cut down manager hours drasticly(just fucking stupid) and on and on......Why AMC brought in one of the guys responsible for Starbucks closing a shitload of stores last year is beyond me.

Malick663

Someone's a bitty Betty.

Hot Rod

Just letting people know. Yeah, get excited for hugely improved picture quality at theaters...but dont be surprised if the theater experience otherwise starts to go down hill.

Vinyard

Ignore Malick. He's 12 years old.

Brad

The theater experience at AMC couldn't actually get any worse, sorry.

Anti-Septic

Sorry to hear that, many company's are forced to restructure in this difficult time.

On a side note, I despise Starbucks coffee. I would like to see theaters offer Tim Hortons Iced Cappuccino in different flavors. They are very quick to make and are a much better treat.

.

sadface

i also work for amc, and there is quite a large company restructure that has already started and will continue for the next 6 months. while some of this is good (like the new 4k projector deal), some things are obviously not (like Hot Rod explained, staff supervisors being phased out, manager hours cut, what have you). damn you, shitty economy & gerry lopez (the new ceo who isn't offering explanations on these new changes)!

anyway, back on topic, glad to see these new projectors come into the picture (see what i did there? heh). although, being fluent in the projector booth, i'll be sad to see the art go, because these new projectors really are as easy as pressing a button.

sept11th

could you explain how the digital system works? do the movies come on big hard drives? is there a giant computer it plugs into and an operating system to launch the film?

snapmandonald

Generally you have a base server which is connected to each of the projectors, each projector has its own computer/server. The main server/computer downloads the films and from there you send them out to each individual projector.

Michael Henninger

I manage a digital cinema, though we're using Dolby's system (I'm marginally unimpressed). Movies are delivered on a standard SATA HDD with titles ranging from 45Gb to 250Gb. Animated films are smaller, as are grainy pictures or films like Cloverfield. The film is encoded in JPEG2000 and ingested into a server library. My particular set up is 4Tb in the library and 1Tb for each house.

We don't have a projection booth, the projectors are in 'dog boxes'. This is a monumental pain in the... well, you get it. Anyone want photos?

sept11th

thanks michael. i didn't realize the movies were less then 250gb and on sata drives, but that makes sense. im still a bit curious to know what the operating system to play the film is like, only for the sake of being nerdy. photos would be great if you've got them!

Adam

I'd love to see photos of the "dog boxes."

sept11th

how is this depressing? digital cinema is not only for 3d.. 4k is a crystal clear / no scratches / rock solid projection. it looks amazing.

i am also very interested in what peter wrote in the last paragraph, about the possibility of cheaper / wider distribution for smaller films. not even for the sake of getting more independent films to smaller towns, but for the impact it could have on the industry if these movies started making much more money.

DDD

AMC party or what? I also work for the company, and I've also heard about these changes the new CEO's making. Personally, since I'm not too invested in the company, I don't really have strong opinions against the changes being made. Consider the benefits of being an employee, I probably see more movies than the vast majority of average guests, so if the experience improves, it'll probably do me more good than it would most. And his plans to make create a more "premium" experience--I'm all for it. God knows we need something besides popcorn, soda, shitty pizza and old hot dogs.

DDD

Sup typos. Excuse my half asleep-ness.

Edward

I'm all for a "premium" experience...but not in the middle of a recession when their employess are being demoted and hours are slashed right and left. Home Office needs to sort their priorities. You cant possibly begin to offer a "premium" experience when you alienate anyone over the age of 20 from working there.

Mike_J_M

I'm a Regal Entertainment Group manager in Miami Fl... we're having a sony 4k installed on tuesday, They're trying really hard to get a bunch installed for the opening of UP.

Mike_J_M

and to answer sept11... the studios send out hard drives containing the digital prints and trailers, we ingest the data into our system, then once ingested we arrange the movie, cues, trailers, green bands, just like building a real print. its a lot like making a playlist (drag and drop). Its pretty awesome, but still has a long way to go. i specialize in the projection booth so if you guys have anymore questions ask away!

ib9wink

Awesome.. thanks for the reply. Man, I love movies but I'll be damned if I know what a 4k projector is!

Alec

Hey Mike,

Cool! I've been wanting to ask a theater projectionist questions for some time now. How would you compare the difference in price between 4K HDD's vs. film reels for an individual movie? With these contracts being made with AMC and Regal do u think film projection's life span is a lot shorter now? Will ticket prices go down since its cheaper for studios to distribute their films in HDD cartirdges vs. film reels???
Thanks!

Sergemeister

To me, this whole 3D thing and whether I like it or not, doesn't fall with all the movies I've seen recently like Monsters vs. Aliens or Coraline. I'm waiting for October when Disney Re-Releases Toy Story in 3D. If they do great with a movie from 1995 I will hop on the wagon and never get off. Promise. It's all riding on one movie for me.

Edward

Haha, I hear ya Brad. Cant get much worse for the employees there either I'm afraid.

Quintushalls

What about expansion of IMAX...legit IMAX? I couldn't see Star Trek because of my finals, and even though they end this week and I could go see it, it will only be in IMAX for two weeks, meaning I won't be able to see it. WTF, IMAX?! It makes a ton of money in theaters and even sells out in the second week and you already want to replace it?! This isn't just one theater, it is all over the country. Why would they make a film in 70mm and only show it for 2 weeks?! I swear, someone at IMAX is going to receive a nasty letter! :(

Alec

its only out for 2 weeks cuz Night at the Museum 2 comes out in IMAX this friday. There aren't enough IMAX theaters around to play both films at once.

/agrees

If it means amazing 3D films like Coraline won't get pushed out of 3D theaters than I'm all for it.

chad

@ib9wink:

As of 2007 the most common acquisition medium for digitally projected features is 35 mm film scanned and processed at 2K (2048×1080) or 4K (4096×2160) resolution via digital intermediate. DI is presumably the way that the projectionist receives the film at a digital theater, which presumably makes their job easier. There's also the telecine method, but that's catered more toward video production/broadcasting.

topheavy

IMAX part 3?

Michael_W

Now if they could just fix the terrible sound at our local regal cinema...

Chuggz

I love hearing that indie films will actually be shown in a local theatre. Here in Charlotte we have only one indie theatre and its located in one of the "badder" parts of Charlotte, and is a pain in the ass to get to. Having more theatres show more indies will maybe help our culture actually be able to go see a great film instead of all the mainstream bullshit that they show. I recently went and saw The Informers at the local indie theatre and absolutely loved it, fucking fantastic movie. But many people will never see it in the theatre or even hear about it because theyre limiting release dates, and locations. Hopefully this new technology will bring the art house to normal cinemas.

Finaldo

Wasn't Nightmare Before Christmas re-released in 3D in October 2007? And that's a 1993 movie, And as far as I know people seemed to like it.

Josh

So any news on what Cinemark's plan is? I've always preferred the experience there but they don't seem to have many digital projectors.

WagnerT

Sad to say it, but film is going to be obsolete like vhs tapes. I work at an all Digital AMC and all you really do is push a start button. But besides that you do hard drive management. Unlike like building a print in 30 minutes. Uploading takes about 2hrs or more. Depending on the size of the HD. You also have to remember that it is a computer and something can go wrong and they can always go down. I've know of other digital theaters who would lose half their projectors for a day or so.

John Gavin

I cannot comment for other makers, but with the Doremi, the server
supports background ingest. So there is no need to have down time on
the screen, that is ingest related. In Japan content is being fed to local
FTP servers at each Cineplex. This is done over night or whenever. The
servers are connected to the local FTP server via gigabit and they can
pull the contents in very quickly. Approx 18 minutes for a 2hr feature.
There is also the P’N’Gest functionality, that allows the content to play
while it is being copied. Basically, about 5minutes of content is buffered
to disk and the rest of the file is pulled significantly faster than play speed so you can play the whole movie while it is being copied.

interfaces, ingest of a 2hr feature will take about 15-20 minutes. And
when that happens in parallel to multiple screens, that adds up to saved time.

lulipop

We dont have AMC where I live. Most of the theatres here are not cleaned. Imagine a dark and moldy theatre. You can smell the mold form all the spilled fluids. The dollar theatre is the worst. They make it freezing to hide the smells... Hope they at least keep these places clean if they are going to let the theatres run themsleves. And the poeple who clean can be very lazy and not even know or care how to clean. Theatres would be a real health hazzard were it not like a refridgerator in some. Im just saying its nice to feel comfortable..that is part of the experience...

Mr. A

I am a booth guy, but will remain annonymous for corporate reasons. It is rather funny to hear of anyone speak of price drops for tickets. In case anyone has been paying attention the dlp prices are more than the 35mm prices. IMAX is now digital as well, no more 70mm. Any added IMAX screens are retro fitted and not true IMAX. Doremi servers are used for christie dlps and IMAX, which have come to be more of a pain when it comes to problems. 35mm usually can be fixed in a timely manner, but digital, no spare parts mean no quick fixes. I like the fact that the picture is clear, but we are far from a good structure when it comes to digital trouble shooting. Enjoy the real 70mm IMAX experience while it's still here.

sociodoc

Sony will more than likely abandon their new 4K system just as they did with other Sony systems in the past. SDDS is a thing of the past, no parts available and no rational tech support either. The Sony 4K is far from plug n play. There is plenty of mantenance needed and so far their software has many more glitches than Doremi or Dolby. My cinema uses 8 2K and is very versital. We also run lots of alternate content like opera, live shows, ball games, etc.
Sony has many good ideas, but they eventually and historically don't back them up down the line.

John Gavin

Mr A.

I think that over time comfort levels with digital technology will improve
as knowledge grows. But you do highlight an important point, the need
to provide technical training to key booth staff. Years of knowledge on
35mm gear may not transfer easily to digital.

John Gavin

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