XDC And Odeon/UCI Cinema Group To Deploy Digital Screens In Portugal

European cinema operator, the Odeon/UCI Cinema Group and European digital cinema service company XDC have agreed contracts for a deployment of digital cinema systems under XDC's VPF funding scheme.
Drew Kaza, Executive Vice President of Digital Development, Odeon & UCI Cinema Group, said: "We made the decision to go with XDC because they were able to tailor their VPF financing solution to meet our local needs and most importantly they have an established infrastructure in Portugal with excellent technical expertise and support. We are delighted to be working with them, which allows us to concentrate our direct VPF deal approach on our other markets."
Serge Plasch, XDC's CEO Managing Director, added: "I am thrilled that we have reached agreement with the Odeon/UCI Cinema Group. As Europe's largest and most successful exhibitors they set extremely high standards and precise terms for the service agreement, I am very proud that XDC have met with their expectations and look forward to providing them with a fast efficient deployment and a high quality service."
Under the terms of the agreement with XDC, Odeon/UCI Cinema Group will have Series 2 DCI-compliant digital projection systems installed into three complexes totalling 45 screens. A content delivery network will also be implemented by XDC in order to allow distributors to deliver films directly by satellite and/or broadband connection to the cinemas, as well as giving the opportunity to receive live 2D and 3D transmissions.
All the systems will be connected to the XDC's NOC (Network Operations Centre) which will perform the hotline support and the preventative remote maintenance. Thanks to the sophisticated XDC's CineStore Data web-based application, the frontline support (with the possibility to have a full remote monitoring of the digital systems) will be directly managed by XDC's local integrator which will also take care of the installation and maintenance supported by XDC's NOC services.
Odeon/UCI Cinemas are the third major Portuguese Exhibitor to contract with XDC. After this deployment is completed Portugal will be able to boast that it is one of the first European countries to go completely digital and a first total country for XDC as well.
(KMc/GK)