Entertainment Technology News

The 18th annual Cinema Expo International begins Monday, June 22, and runs through Thursday, June 25, at the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Congress Centre. Here is a selection of the new products and technologies which will be on display at the Cinema Expo tradeshow.

Alcons Audio
Alcons Audio will present their “digital-cinema-ready” pro-ribbon loaded sound systems at Cinema Expo. New developments in the C-series include dedicated speaker drive for maximum quality output; complete cable and connector length compensation for improved low and mid accuracy; ultra-shallow cabinet design for improved space efficiency; new pro-ribbon transducer technology for a non-compressed 1:1 reproduction of the movie soundtrack, and high peak power handling catering to a 1:15 dynamic range. Acoustical coupling from line-source technology reduces the typical SPL drop-off from front to rear (up to 12dB in medium-sized rooms) significantly; the resulting "proximity" effect dramatically enhances the cinema experience for the audience furthest away.

The complete C-series of cinema products will be on show, including the CR1 ultra-shallow front system (17 cm deep); Alcons’ Cinema Ribbon Monitoring System for post-production studios and high-end screening rooms, and the CR5, as recently installed in Bergen Kino, Norway. Stop by Alcons booth 136. (alconsaudio.com)

c-cinema-components
c-cinema-components is the exclusive distributor for Big Sky Media Group and TLA LED lamps from enlux for Africa, Europe and Russia. TLA enlux offers advanced solutions for LED lighting, easy to change with existing bulbs, 50,000-hour life expectancy, with only 10% of energy needed compared to incandescent lamps. They are fully recyclable and meet RoHS compliance, without any mercury or phosphor. They use the same power source and screw base, are dimmable over the entire range of power, and are available in three color temperatures. Learn more at booth 188. (c-cinema-components.com)

Compeso
They’re already “on duty” in a lot of cinemas: the ticket ATMs from Compeso. While originally designed as pure pick-up terminals for tickets purchased on the Internet, they have turned into full sales ATMs and thus into valuable support for the box-office staff.
In Amsterdam, Compeso will introduce the latest model of its ATM, boasting a slim silhouette and simple elegance. Inside, it’s equipped with the most modern technology—a Thales terminal (in Germany) for credit card acceptance, a magnetic card reader for customer cards, and a barcode scanner for vouchers. Even printing of credit card receipts is easy with the integrated receipt printer. It’s an ultra-modern “contact centre” for your lobby. Visit Compeso at booth 199. (compeso.com)

Datasat Digital Entertainment
The DTS DC20 from Datasat Digital Entertainment (formerly DTS Digital Cinema) is a screen management system for the management and playback of d-cinema content in your complex—and more. The DTS DC20 is built on highly robust, proven technology with excellent image, sound and security features. It offers a flexible, user-friendly graphical interface that enables easy user control, content management and integration with automation units. The DTS DC20 fully supports the DCI specification for 2K-resolution JPEG2000 content and also supports HD-MPEG2, VC1 and H.264 files. It offers 2K resolution playback and is compatible with all currently available 3D systems. See the DC20 at booth 141. (dtsdcinema.com)

Dolby Laboratories
The new Dolby Screen Server DSS200 is the all-in-one, highly reliable, easily serviceable, DCI-compliant, SMPTE standard platform to load, store, manage, decode and deliver pristine digital movies to your digital-cinema projector and audience. A removable drive bay accepts industry-standard content hard drives. Network content delivery moves a 120 GB feature in 20 minutes. Serial automation and closed captions support your automation and access needs. Remote software upgrade makes adding features a breeze. Integrated Dolby TMS software provides a complete, easy-to-use interface for building, scheduling and monitoring shows locally or remotely. See the DSS200 at booth 161. (dolby.com)

Golden Link
Golden Link continues to bring exciting new product innovations to their licensed movie promotions, with the launch of their newest innovations in Cup Toppers (patent pending) for the upcoming Disney films Up, G-Force and Toy Story 3D. This will include the premiere of their Water Dome Topper for Up and Topper/Stamper for G-Force. The company is also working with Fox Studios to launch their Snow Dome Toppers for the highly anticipated release of Ice Age 3.

These innovative products offer cinemas a turnkey promotional tool that can significantly increase concession sales and profits, while operationally simple, efficient and cost-effective. Learn more at booth 225. (goldenlinkinc.com)

Harkness Screens
Harkness Screens, the world’s leading manufacturer of projection screens for a wide variety of cinema applications, showcases the Perlux 220 at Cinema Expo International. Perlux 220 offers increased screen brightness for larger screens with active and passive 3D technologies (not using polarized light), such as Dolby 3D, and for large 2D screens. Perlux screens are considered by leading cinema exhibitors and special venue operations worldwide to be the premier gain projection surface. Harkness Screens’ Perlux 220 meets the requirements for the highest possible gain while maintaining acceptable viewing angles. Perlux 220 is noted for its invisible seams under normal projection conditions. Visit Harkness at booth 205. (harkness-screens.com)

ISCO/Jos. Schneider
ISCO introduces the DiStar*HD 24mm (0.9:1) lens, which offers the widest angle projection available for digital cinema. The DiStar*HD 24mm (0.9:1) lens was developed for 2K 3-chip DLP projectors and is especially designed for curved (cylindrical or spherical) screens with a screen radius of 2.2 x projection distance. Due to these projection parameters, the DiStar*HD 24 mm (0.9:1) lens is the ideal solution for huge, curved IMAX screens. See the DiStar*HD lens at booth 151. (isco.eu)

K.C.S. (Kelonik Cinema Sound)
K.C.S. (Kelonik Cinema Sound) is one of the leading manufacturers of cinema speakers in the world, with a wide range of speaker system models. Kelonik Group has also become a reference for the new digital technology in the markets where they are present, including Spain, Portugal, Brazil and Russia. Visit K.C.S. at booth 159. (kcsspeakers.com) Kinoton
Kinoton presents the advanced DCP Digital Cinema® projectors featuring various improvements and additional functions further facilitating operation and optimizing picture quality. The enhanced projectors offer a motorized lens holder automatically adjusting the lens to preset configurations, and a redesigned touch-screen user interface for comfortable operation. Careful modifications have further improved picture brightness and illumination uniformity to achieve images of high brilliance. An optimized water-cooling system ensures a long lifetime for the DCP Cinema components. Kinoton projectors contain components supplied by Barco, a licensee of DLP Cinema technology from Texas Instruments. Visit Kinoton at booth 307. (kinoton.com)

Martek
Martek is showcasing an exciting new addition to their range of pick-and-mix systems, food distribution and other concession equipment. The fully polycarbonate bin is robust, scratch-resistant and of seamless moulded construction. The unit pops apart for ease of cleaning and incorporates a soft close lid, integrated tongs and confectionary graphics. An attractive addition to any theatre foyer, the bin provides operators with the added benefit of complete independence for candy supply, allowing complete control over product quality and margin with no tied-in confectionery contracts. Visit Martek at booth 215. (martek.co.uk)

PCO Group
PCO’s Kids Menu consisting of Kids Menu Tray and an IML cup is already an eye-catcher, but combined with a premium it becomes even more seductive. The favorite upgrade is toppers that can be inserted in the lid of the IML cup. For movie theatres using PET bottles, PCO has developed a bottle adapter, so the topper can be attached to the bottle cap. And whether cinemas offer post-mix or PET bottles, PCO’s menu trays hold them all. Visit PCO at booth 239. (pco-group.com)

Philips Electronics
The Philips XDC-3000S and Philips XDC-4200S xenon lamps are approved by Sony Corporation’s B2B Solutions Business Group, as they meet all strict requirements for the digital-cinema market. The lamps are authorized to be used in all of Sony’s SRX digital-cinema projectors worldwide.

These advanced lamps meet the new requirements of the rapidly increasing number of 2D and 3D digital cinemas. Philips xenon lamps enable digital-cinema projectors to consistently achieve high brightness and reliable operation while sustaining long life. They are available now from select distributors in Philips’ worldwide sales organization. The complete Philips Cinema xenon lamp range will be displayed at Cinema Expo booth 210. (philips.com)

Proyecson
Proyecson S.A. is launching the DP-3D antitheft system, providing theatre owners with protection against stolen and lost glasses. The unique system is custom-built for cinemas with tall barriers that help detect unreturned glasses, along with tall advertising panels to help promote concessions items and upcoming movies. Installation of the DP-3D system is all a theatre must do to retain glasses while reducing staffing costs. Learn more at booth 324. (proyecson.com)

Quick Sensor
By pushing four voting buttons installed in the armrests of cinema seats, patrons using Quick Sensor’s Open Interactive have the opportunity to play with an interactive advertisement or with content which is pre-designed for voting. This feature can be used internally and externally. Internally, cinemas can use Open Interactive to get opinions from patrons about their comfort, the lighting and the movies themselves. Externally, it’s an excellent tool for keeping patrons attentive to the advertisement, thus creating higher marketing efficiency. Furthermore, as the results can be retrieved and put into any reporting form, market surveys will be faster and more accurate. Find out more at booth 183. (quicksensor.com)

Quinette Gallay
Along with its classical cinema seating, Quinette Gallay is exhibiting two new VIP chairs particularly well-designed for any type of movie theatre, classic or modern. First, the Diamond Class, an ideal combination of leather, metal and wood, is motorized to be fully reclinable, increasing the feeling of being at home. Its depth in upright position does not exceed 80 cm. The Premium, another new VIP seat created this year, has a tilting back with no overlapping and a sliding seat for maximum comfort. Its depth in upright position is only 70 cm.

With its 60 years’ experience in seating design, manufacturing and installation, Quinette Gallay is more than ever a great international partner for optimized seating solutions. Visit Quinette at booth 100. (quinette.fr)

Strong International
See it to believe it! Strong’s “M Series” Digital Projector Pedestal can change your film-to-digital integration plans and accommodate your projection booth requirements. This universal designed pedestal is ready as the final foundation for a majority of today’s digital-cinema projectors. Each universal model is designed with cost savings and unique custom features to meet your criteria. Stop by and see for yourself at Strong booth 231. (ballantyne-omaha.com)

USL
When aligning a digital projector, a cinema technician needs to adjust the video convergence pattern to make sure the projector is in proper focus. USL, Inc.’s new Video Convergence Camera precisely images the convergence pattern on a movie screen. The image can be from 20 to 150 feet away and is displayed on a laptop screen. Using this device, the digital-cinema technician can place his laptop near the video projector and see the convergence pattern as he adjusts the convergence. A top-mounted laser enables the technician to quickly locate the pattern. The front adjustment ring enables precise focusing. See the Video Convergence Camera at booth 244. (uslinc.com)

Ushio
Ushio offers a complete range of xenon lamps for all digital-cinema projectors. All types are manufacturer-approved and ensure no discussion when it comes to warranty issues. Barco, Christie, NEC and Sony all use Ushio lamps for first installs in their projectors. Ushio recently added the DXL-12BAF lamp for Barco’s DP1200 to the range. It excellently serves the smallest screens in theatres or post-production studios. The other side of the range is covered by 6.5kW lamps for different projector OEMs for the widest screens and enhanced 3D screenings. And yes, Ushio still makes the complete range of xenon lamps for 35mm projection. Visit Ushio at booth 191. (ushio.eu)

VCL Sound Experience
VCL Sound Experience, manufacturer of the cinema speaker range named “Luis Wassmann,” is introducing the following models at Cinema Expo 2009: The LW 5009D TRI 4-way Coaxial, a four-way tri-amplified system based upon coaxial technology without cancellations, offers high-end benefits for top installations, especially big auditoriums with digital cinema. The LW 6017D, evolution of the 6017, is a unique 2 x 21” subwoofer for top installations. Both models were recently installed in London’s big South Bank auditorium. Also new is the LW 7013, a surround speaker for big auditoriums. Visit VCL Sound Experience at booth 168. (madefon.com)

Vista
Vista’s Facebook Application allows customers to look up showtimes, purchase tickets, make cinema bookings with their friends and check their bookings, all from the social networking site Facebook. Facebook users make “wish lists” of all the movies they want to see and are then able to create events and invite friends who also have that movie on their wish list, with the ability to create block bookings with every individual paying their own ticket. The Vista Facebook application is completely integrated with the Vista Cinema system and is a great way to boost your online external sales. Learn more at booth 184. (us-vista.com)

XDC
XDC will present its new CineStore Plaza TMS at Cinema Expo International. This new product is basically the central point of management of a multiplex, but it’s also the interconnection between cinema and the external world. Remote control, content management, central scheduling and many other current and future features will be demonstrated. There is also a unique opportunity for potential users to come and try the products themselves in a quiet place in room P. XDC technical advisors will welcome guests and show them the product portfolio. Visit XDC at booth 203. (xdcinema.com)