VSS-Southern Theatres Signs Exclusive Agreement with NEC for Digital Cinema Projectors

http://www.digitalcinemainfo.com/necdigitalcinema_03_16_10.php

March 16, 2010

Source: NEC

The Grand Theatres, AmStar Cinemas in 9 States Add to Their Stable of NEC Equipment; NEC Financial Services Offers Financing Incentives

NEC announced an exclusive agreement with Southern Theatres, LLC, management company for VSS-Southern Theatres, owners of The Grand Theatres and AmStar Cinemas, to provide digital cinema projectors at locations in nine states. The move by VSS-Southern Theatres extends its current relationship with NEC and Ballantyne Strong, Inc., and positions this leading exhibitor to capitalize on the growing list of 3D Hollywood blockbusters coming out in 2010 and beyond.

Building upon its more than 30 NEC digital cinema projector systems already installed, VSS-Southern Theatres selected NEC’s new Digital Cinema Projector Series for its extreme reliability, performance and brightness. The projectors also were chosen for their upgrade capabilities to 4K technology.

The full complement of NEC digital cinema projectors can be seen in Palace 5 (Booth No. 1205) at ShoWest 2010, the motion picture theater industry convention held today through March 18 at Bally’s & Paris in Las Vegas, Nev.

“Our relationship with VSS-Southern Theatres has been a strong one for quite some time, but we’re especially grateful for the trust they have placed in us with this exclusive agreement,” said Pierre Richer, President and C.O.O. of NEC Display Solutions. “The 3D juggernaut is upon us, and NEC is prepared to help forward-looking exhibitors, such as VSS-Southern Theatres, capitalize on the powerful opportunities presenting themselves to the industry.”

NEC Financial Services is providing the financing for the project, which will be rolled out in three phases over the course of this year and early 2011. Phase I will be completed in time for the movie releases, “How to Train Your Dragon 3D” and “Clash of the Titans 3D.”

Ballantyne of Omaha, a trusted partner and master reseller for the exhibitor segment of NEC’s business, is supplying the ancillary digital components, screens and installation for the 18 VSS-Southern Theatres locations, which consist of 268 screens.

“Ballantyne Strong, Inc.’s, relationship with VSS-Southern Theatres extends back to its start as a theater circuit. We have been providing projectors and associated equipment to the Solomon family since the ‘70s,” said John Wilmers, President and CEO, Ballantyne Strong, Inc. “VSS-Southern has aggressively been equipping theaters over the past two years to keep up with the 3D demand, and we are excited they are committed to lead the pack as the industry transitions to digital cinema.”

“We pride ourselves on offering the best movie-going experience to the public,” said George Solomon, President of Southern Theatres, LLC. “NEC and Ballantyne Strong, Inc., are playing crucial roles in that objective.”

Solomon has been in the theater business with his family for more than 50 years and launched Southern Theatres, LLC to develop and operate state-of-the-art, multiplex stadium-seating movie theaters.

Among the NEC digital cinema projectors being deployed are the NC1600-C, NC2500S-A, NC1200C, NC2000C, and the ultra-bright NC3200S at 31,000 lumens.