The Business of Digital Cinema—The Exhibitors' Perspective

This paper has two objectives: to emphasize the importance of technical standards for digital cinema and to describe a set of other issues that must be addressed before distributors and exhibitors can begin a serious roll-out of the new digital cinema technology. Regarding the former, the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) strongly endorses the standards-setting efforts of SMPTE, and this paper offers suggestions for continued SMPTE progress in the context of multiple standards-setting organizations. As for the second objective—analyzing pending issues other than standards—exhibitors and distributors must address costs, control, quality, security, alternative product, participation, and legal issues before the transition can occur. The paper concludes on a note of optimism that industry leaders will find a way to address these difficult issues so that a careful transition to digital cinema will occur.

Print ISSN

0036-1682

Published

2002-06

Content type

Information

DOI

10.5594/J16360