Retrospective: Historical Briefs from Past Issues

Michael Dolan

The February 2001 Journal published in: “SMPTE Technology Committee on Digital Cinema-DC28: A Status Report” by R. M. Rast. “During the past year, a new SMPTE technology committee has been active, DC28, the Technology Committee on Digital Cinema. This report discusses its work and progress. - Most conclude digital cinema is the future of the consumer movie theater experience. Indeed, numerous press reports claim its imminence, and D-Cinema projection can be seen in several dozen theaters in the U.S. and abroad. However, what has been in the theaters has been in the nature of demonstrations of partial systems. DC28's activity applies to an overall end-to-end system for theatrical release of motion pictures, replacing the existing 35mm distribution model. The entire system must be defined, designed, proven in, and standardized. The work needed extends well beyond that which anyone organization, including SMPTE, can provide. However, SMPTE's standards work is essential, and it is now well underway.” For the full article, see: https://tinyurl.com/38km3ut6.

Print ISSN
Electronic ISSN
2160-2492
Published
2026-01
Content type
Opinion
DOI
10.5594/JMI.2026/IXDW6169
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