Wednesday, November 21, 2007

EUROPEAN EXHIBITOR CGR CINÉMAS SELECTS CHRISTIE DLP CINEMA PROJECTION SYSTEMS FOR AAM ROLLOUT - Circuit Converts 400 Screens to Digital Cinema in France

WOKINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM-Nov 21, 2007

Christie, a leading provider of visual solutions for business, entertainment and industry, today announced that the company’s CP2000 series of 2K DLP Cinema® Digital Cinema Projectors has been chosen by Circuit George Raymond (“CGR Cinémas”), one of France’s largest cinema chains as part of an exclusive Virtual Print Fee (VPF) based agreement with Arts Alliance Media (“AAM”), Europe’s leading provider of digital distribution services, for the deployment of Digital Cinema in 100% of the circuit’s 400 screens. This agreement sees CGR Cinémas become the first European exhibitor to convert completely to Digital Cinema exhibition. CGR Cinémas chose Christie out of the brands evaluated and selected by AAM, the rollout entity who procured the complete Digital Cinema system, both the hardware and software elements. Doremi Cinema LLC have been chosen to provide Digital Cinema servers and French cinema integration and services company Cine Digital Service will provide local installation and support services. The rollout is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2008, with a target of 200 screens during the first year. Eight screens will be equipped in December this year, so that CGR Cinémas’ customers can enjoy the benefits of 3D Digital Cinema screenings during the Christmas holidays. CGR Cinémas is a leading and expanding cinema chain in France. The company is well known for the success of its multiplexes in many mid-size cities across the country, for the efficiency of its cost management and for its profitability. By becoming the first European cinema chain to adopt the VPF business model and go fully digital, CGR Cinémas is demonstrating that it is an innovative company, ready to embrace new technology to deliver the best possible quality cinema experience. CGR Cinémas is the first European exhibitor to sign up to a VPF-based rollout. The VPF business model is a means of financing the conversion to Digital Cinema, where both distributor and exhibitor contribute over time towards the total cost of the digital projection and server equipment, funded up front by the rollout entity (Arts Alliance Media). The VPF model has been proven in North America, with over 4,320 digital screens installed to date, all using Christie’s Digital Cinema projection systems. “We are delighted to be the first movers in the digital transition and to enter into a new era of French and European cinema,” said Jocelyn Bouyssy, Directeur General of CGR Cinémas. “CGR Cinémas is a forward thinking company and its ability to seize new opportunities makes it one of the most successful chains in the French exhibition market. I would like to thank Gwendal Auffret and AAM’s technical team, the staff at CGR Cinémas, as well as the suppliers and installers for their innovation, creativity, skills and efficiency. This teamwork made such a historical agreement possible and now CGR Cinémas will embark on the great adventure of Digital Cinema in every screen in our circuit.” Christie’s Vice President for EMEA Dale Miller said “This is another momentous step in the advance of Digital Cinema, one that would not be possible without the passion and commitment CGR Cinémas has shown to giving its customers the best possible movie-going experience.” Richard Nye, Christie’s Senior Market Development Manager for Cinema in EMEA added “We are delighted to be part of the CGR Cinémas deployment team and to have the opportunity to work again with Arts Alliance Media following the earlier successes of the UK Film Council’s digital screen 240 screen network, completed earlier this year”. This agreement will see the number of theatres equipped with Christie DLP Cinema Digital Cinema projectors break-through the 1,000 milestone in the EMEA region alone; and will add to the over 4,320 installations of Christie’s CP Series Digital Cinema projection systems that account for over 85% of digital theatres installed in the world today.

http://www.dcinematoday.com/dc/pr.aspx?newsID=949

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