XDC, Qubo and Dynamic Launch "DDCinema"

By Neal Romanek Jan 2, 2008, 01:34

XDC announced today that it has signed a cooperation agreement with Qubo and Dynamic to launch, promote and manage the distribution of digital cinema alternative content through the DDCinema service platform. The initial purpose is the distribution of lyrical operas, produced at the most prestigious European theatres, with a mix of recorded and live events. DDCinema will offer to cinemas an eclectic range of alternative content, i.e. all programming content other than films, trailers and advertising content, including, but not limited to, television programs, sporting events, stage productions, concerts, documentaries, anime films and live events. “The idea is to optimally use the potential of new technology, help cinemas to widen their range of products, as well as to screen events that have so far been restricted to smaller and exclusive venues,” said Elena Rasori, Managing Director of Qubo. As Fabrice Testa, Marketing & Operations Manager of XDC, pointed out, “DDCinema alternative content programmes will be available to all exhibitors across Europe equipped with 2K digital projectors - about 700 screens today.” He added: “Any MXF interoperable D-Cinema server will be able to play back any alternative content prepared by the XDC Digital Content Lab, DDCinema offer is thus not only limited to the screens connected to XDC’s Network Operations Centre.” “To watch and hear lyrical operas and concerts in digital cinema format is an exciting experience indeed,” said Alberto Dellepiane, Managing Director of Dynamic. “We view DDCinema as an important step in moving the digital cinema experience forward. We expect the demand for each DDCinema programmed event to grow significantly over time. DDCinema offers a wide range of content in digital cinema format, in particular lyrical operas and concerts, carefully chosen on the basis of their artistic and technical quality – both as live events broadcast via satellite, and recorded events.” Today, the DDCinema platform already offers about 25 opera titles, and on 27th January 2008 it will offer the first live broadcast from Palermo, Italy, on the opening night of the season of Teatro Massimo, one of the most beautiful theatres in the world. The opera in question, featuring singers of international renown, will be a new production of Arrigo Boito’s Mefistofele, a spectacular work taken from W. Goethe’s Faust. More live events are planned from Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Teatro La Fenice di Venezia, Teatro Liceu of Barcelona, Teatro Real of Madrid, and other renowned venues.

http://www.uemedia.net/CPC/digitalcinemamag/articles/article_16724.shtml