A Monster Move

Odeon and UCI Cinema to Triple Number of 3D Screens

Odeon and UCI Cinemas, Europe’s largest cinema operator, is currently installing dozens of new 3D screens as it further extends its network of DCI-compliant Digital Cinema screens in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany and Austria. The effort is designed to take advantage of the release of Monsters vs Aliens.

Sound Associates, the UK‘s leading cinema equipment integrator, is installing the 31 systems for phase 1 in the UK.

As part of the strategy, Odeon and UCI will triple its coverage of 3D digital screens in response to the wealth of 3D blockbusters due for release in 2009. By the end of March, over 100 sites across Europe will be equipped for 3D, with 52 screens in the UK alone, more than any other UK exhibitor.

Following its site survey of each location, Sound Associates assembled, configured and tested each system at its facility in West London prior to installation. A system consists of an NEC NC1600 projector, Qube or Doremi server, RealD 3D system and appropriate network and ADSL hardware and cabling – all housed in the specially adapted Sound Associates SA DigiBase.

Drew Kaza, executive vice president of digital development for Odeon and UCI Cinemas, says, “The installs have been going incredibly smoothly. We are pleased that the vast majority of upgraded screens are actually running ahead of schedule at this stage, enabling us to unveil the benefits of 3D even sooner to our film fanatics across the UK. This is the next important step as we accelerate our moves into digital in 2009.”

Graham Lodge, managing director of Sound Associates, says, “We are delighted to be working with Odeon and UCI on this groundbreaking project and I am particularly pleased that our engineers are managing to keep up with the demanding install schedule. Odeon and UCI have been able to show 3D films ahead of the planned date – this has to be good for the cinemas and for the customers.”

“3D digital provides the total cinematic experience. You feel the drama literally unfolding all around you,” says Kaza. “We wanted the best for our 3D digital projection and so over the last two years we have vigorously put NEC’s technology through its paces. It definitely hit the mark with superb image quality and unsurpassed reliability. NEC has equipped Odeon with a ground-breaking digital cinema projection system and we anticipate a resultant jump in per seat revenues.”

NEC’s NC1600C is an integrated DLP cinema projector, which houses both the lamp power supply and projector head in the same unit. It has been specifically developed for medium-sized screens, delivering high quality output and offering ease of operation. Delivering 17,000 Lumens and precise 2K (2048x1080) resolution, the NC1600C offers one-touch operation and memory functions for lens position and lamp output.



Simon Jackson, vice president Northern Europe for NEC Display Solutions says, “Our display solutions provide an affordable and trusted way to introduce the new must have cinema media technologies so our customers are first to tap into a new and growing audience. This major European deployment with Odeon is testament to that and underpins our core principles of high reliability, performance and outstanding build quality.”


NEC Display Solutions Europe www.nec-display-solutions.co.uk