Thomson, through its Technicolor Digital Cinema business, to deploy Barco 2k digital cinema projectors in 130 Kinepolis theaters in Belgium in first, full nationwide digital conversion of a theater network in Europe
Kortrijk, Belgium, 6 July, 2006 - Barco, pioneer in digital cinema visualization, is delighted to announce that Thomson will deploy its 2k digital cinema projectors in 130 Kinepolis theaters. This is the first, full nationwide digital conversion of a theater network in Europe. The units will be supplied to Kinepolis via Technicolor Digital Cinema who will deploy, maintain and monitor all of the digital cinema systems, including Technicolor’s proprietary theater management system (TMS).
“Equipping every theatre in Belgium with a digital cinema projector, expresses the vision and leadership of Kinepolis," said Joe Berchtold, president of Technicolor Theatrical Services, and head of Technicolor Digital Cinema. “We are delighted to partner with Kinepolis Group in what is indeed an important step in the global digital cinema history. We are pleased to include Barco’s market leading projectors that deliver the quality and reliability needed to make digital cinema an audience favorite.”
European cinema pioneer Kinepolis currently has 21 theaters featuring Barco 2k digital cinema projectors. A market leader in their own field, and an innovative trendsetter among multiplex cinemas, Kinepolis has committed to 130 Barco 2k projectors based on DLP Cinema® technology of Texas Instruments to convert their entire cinema chain network to digital throughout Belgium.
Kinepolis will convert approximately 50 percent of its Belgian multiplexes to digital cinema systems by early 2007. The transition of the circuit’s remaining screens in the country will be completed by the end of 2007.
Included in the roll-out will be the brand new cinema multiplex in Brugge, the first cinema to have digital cinema projectors installed from the outset. The grand opening of this new 8-screen multiplex takes place on July 6th.
Chosen for a unique and clear set of customer benefits, Barco’s range of digital cinema projectors will suit Kinepolis’ current and future cinema needs. Because of Barco’s sealed engines, liquid cooling, extreme reliability, and unrivalled service records Kinepolis is confident that their own planned expansion and European growth will be sustained.
“As a pioneering, innovative exhibitor for many years, and as the industry’s first and most prolific European exhibitor to deploy digital projection systems in its multiplex network, Kinepolis Group is fully committed to the ongoing advancement of digital cinema,” said Gilbert Deley, Managing Director of Kinepolis Cinema. “As a result, this partnership with Technicolor Digital Cinema strategically supports the company’s objectives to extend its industry leadership in this important arena, and to provide Kinepolis patrons with the highest-quality in-theatre experience possible. With its proven track record of success in this space, and its worldwide industry leadership and expertise, Technicolor Digital Cinema is the right partner for assisting Kinepolis Group in furthering its digital cinema strategy.”
Stephan Paridaen, President of Barco’s Media and Entertainment division stated, “We are proud to be selected by Technicolor and Kinepolis as the exclusive partner for digital projectors for this first, nationwide digital conversion of a complete theater network in Europe. Selection of our projectors is also proof of confidence in the reliability of DLP Cinema® technology for major roll-outs. We are experiencing the digital revolution, where every cinema in the near future will be showing films digitally. Kinepolis and Technicolor are pioneering this revolution and we are excited with the opportunity to share and support their vision.”
Recognized as the industry standard for Digital Cinema, Barco’s 2k digital cinema projectors are based on DLP Cinema® technology of Texas Instruments, which enables it to deliver the benefits of 2K display resolution, as well as DLP Cinema®, CineBlackTM, CinePalleteTM and CineLinkTM image control, the perfect tool to answer the demanding needs of the digital cinema industry. Barco today counts over 650 installations based on 2k DLP Cinema® technology in leading Post facilities and Digital Cinemas throughout Asia, Europe, and North America.
About Technicolor Digital Cinema
Since its inception in 1999, Technicolor Digital Cinema has been a pioneer in the enabling and advancement of digital cinema initiatives. By actively working side-by-side with key digital cinema stakeholders as a technology enabler and service provider, Technicolor Digital Cinema is utilizing its breadth and depth of valuable industry knowledge and expertise to develop solutions for technologies and standards that will ultimately facilitate the global commercialization of digital cinema. Headquartered in Burbank, California, Technicolor Digital Cinema offers the most comprehensive set of digital cinema services and solutions, including compression, encryption, key management, secure distribution, storage, scheduling and playback, and maintenance and support. Additionally, the division works closely with major film studios to support current digital cinema releases. Technicolor Digital Cinema is an operating unit of Technicolor Theatrical Services, part of the Services division of Thomson. Since 2000, Technicolor Digital Cinema has managed and distributed well over 100 titles for eight studios, covering more than 300,000 digital presentations worldwide. For more information: http://www.technicolordigital.com.
About Kinepolis Group
The Kinepolis Group was set up in 1997 following the merger of the Bert and Claeys groups. It was listed on the stock market in 1998 and has since grown to become Belgium's market leader and a leading player in the European market. The Kinepolis Group currently employs over 1900 people.
The group entertains millions of cinemagoers in dozens of cinema complexes covering Belgium, France, Spain, Poland and Switzerland.
The key to the success of the Kinepolis concept is its innovative drive and its customer-friendly approach. The Kinepolis Group belongs to the select group of cinemas in the world that can offer digital cinema featuring the revolutionary DLP technology. The group now has an extensive platform of digital projectors in Belgium, France and Spain. In addition to digital Hollywood productions, cinemagoers can now experience alternative content in digital format, such as prestigious shows, TV series, live concerts and sports events.
For more information: http://www.kinepolis.com.
About Barco
Barco, a global technology company headquartered in Kortrijk, Belgium, designs and develops visualization products for a variety of professional markets. Barco has its own facilities for Sales & Marketing, Customer Support, R&D and Manufacturing in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.
For fiscal year 2005, Barco posted net sales of euro 712.0 million.
Barco’s ordinary shares are listed on the Brussels/Euronext stock exchange. Barco is a BEL 20 and a Next 150 company. Share information may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbol BAR BB and on Reuters under BARBt.BR.
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Barco nv
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Inge
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