Published:
27-Apr-07
Kuwait has become the latest territory to adopt D-cinema equipment compatible with high-end (DCI) standards. Kuwait National Cinema Company (KNCC), the largest exhibitor in the Middle East region, has parterned Qube Cinema, for a pilot installation of related equipment including the Qube XP server and a Cinemeccanica 2K projector. The equipment has been installed in KNCC's (Cinesape) theatre in Kuwait City, and if successful will lead to a complete digitisation of the exhibitor's screens in Kuwait and across the Middle East. Qube, itself, plans to equip a digital cinema mastering station in the region, that will convert all Arabic content into DCP's (Digital Cinema Packages). KNCC has around 40 screens housed in 20 sites across the region.
Our take...
Kuwait is now the second territory in the Middle East to install D-cinema equipment after Israel, although it will likely be the first to widely adopt the standard if the full proposal goes ahead. Qube, a subsidiary of Indian-based Real Image Media, has previously provided its high-end server to D-cinema ventures in India and the USA. The company upgraded its product line to include JPEG2000 codec in 2006. The Middle East has been relatively slow to venture into the D-cinema arena, and this is the first clear indication of long term involvement.
Kuwait,
