World’s largest digital cinema network reveals technology choice

European DocuZone (EDZ), the world’s largest digital cinema network, has opted for servers from GDC Technology and digital projectors from Panasonic.
Over 180 independent cinemas across Europe will install customised GDC Technology DSR Servers alongside DLP projectors from Panasonic, which reach a resolution of 1.4K.
EDZ’s budget is €20 million for hardware, software and supporting infrastructures. The EU’s MEDIA programme is contributing €2.2 million. The network will go live across Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia and the UK with an opening showcase on November 12-13 2004. The headline documentary, ‘Peace One Day’, will open as a pan-European premiere with a satellite-linked Q&A with the director, followed by seven other European documentaries over the weekend.
“Although there are debates raging over the technical merits of d-cinema over e-cinema, we like to call our solution c-cinema -- it is about content, culture and communities,” said Kees Ryninks, managing director of EDZ. “We are using the latest in digital cinema technology to bring European documentaries and other specialised films, such as animation and shorts, to new audiences.”
EDZ conducted thorough testing earlier this year with an evaluation team of nearly 100 cinematographers, producers, cinema owners and post-production houses at test beds in Germany and The Netherlands. The evaluation included 14 servers and four ranges of projectors. The test-bed, particularly during side-by-side comparison testing, brought some surprising results. For example, the audiences perceived the Panasonic projectors to offer a more cinematic experience despite being half the list price of DLP Cinema-based systems.
Both Panasonic and GDC were chosen on their technical merit as well as meeting other criteria. In the case of the server, EDZ required a software-based solution to easily upgrade the systems to support new standards and features as they become available. Subtitling support was also essential. For the DLP projector, EDZ wanted to offer cinemas a range of projectors and expected every model in that range to be of high quality. The new Panasonic PT-D7700 and PT-DW7000, which will be available in October, offer a contrast ratio of 4000:1, far superior than most DLP Cinema-based projectors which are up to 1400:1. Another key influence was that these solutions were all very price competitive.
The resolution of the Panasonic projectors starts at 1K for the entry level single chip PT-D5500E, increases to 1.35K with the PT-DW7000 and for the PT-D7700 is 1.4K. Given that a typical EDZ screen is up to 250 seats, the audience will have the same viewing experience with a mid-range 1.35K projector as a 2K projector in a mainstream multiplex cinema with 600-800 seats. Launched in June 2004, the widescreen PT-DW7000 and high-resolution PT-D7700 3-chip large venue DLP projectors are brighter and sharper than competitive models
(GB)