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19 Oct 07
Country: Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, UK
Source:
Online Services/Intelligence/Cinema/Updates
Owned by private equity group Terra Firma, Odeon and UCI, the leading European multiplex chain, agreed a deal to convert approximately 30 per cent of its 1,700 screens to digital 3D cinema by year end 2009 using the RealD format. This 500 screen deployment across seven European territories including Italy, Spain, Germany and the UK will position Odeon and UCI with the largest 3D footprint in Europe. The deal will see an additional eight sites upgraded to digital 3D capability for the release of Paramount's Beowulf in November 2007 on top of the existing five screens also using the RealD system in the UK. The first round of deployments will see Odeon upgrading its existing digital screens with the RealD system; comprising a circular polarizing Z-filter, disposable glasses and a silver screen.
Our take...
The Odeon chain with around 850 screens solely in the UK, has been conducting its own trials of basic digital cinema equipment in 2007, in order to roll-out the (digital) infrastructure needed to upgrade to 3D. It also has around 20 digital screens deployed as part of the UKFC's digital screen network (DSN). The development shows that 3D is now a major catalyst for exhibitors to proceed with digital conversion, and will therefore see Odeon embarking on a large scale digital deployment over the next two years. Odeon has also extended its existing relationship with digital stereoscopic firm RealD, after trialing its system in five UK sites.
Rival digital 3D formats include Dolby Digital 3D, which has been now been selected by a wide range of US and international exhibitors including Kinepolis in Europe and Malco Theatres and Marucs Theatres in the US, since coming on to the market in Q3 2007 as well as the active shutter glasses solution.
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