Boeing Digital Cinema is a new system that allows feature films to be digitally delivered via satellite and projected at cinemas around the world. Steve Nichols talks to Boeing's Ron Maehl, the father of the digital cinema concept.
Q: What are the advantages of Boeing Digital Cinema?
A: Primarily cost. It can cost up to $5,000 to copy and distribute a single copy of a film. And some smaller cinemas find they cannot normally get their hands on the best new releases for weeks. With Boeing Digital Cinema they receive the film overnight via a satellite link. All the projectionist has to do it press one button to show it and the studio can keep tabs on how many times it is being shown.
Q: But is the satellite transmission secure?
A: Absolutely. We use five levels of encryption – the same systems we use for secure government data. The movie is only finally decrypted as it is projected so there is no chance of it being intercepted and pirated.
Q: What's the quality like?
A: Fantastic! The digital projectors give a sharper, clearer image than conventional film projectors and reliability has so far been in excess of 99%. Many films, like the recent Star Wars film ‘Attack of the Clones' are shot digitally, so you lose none of the quality. We are currently distributing the new ‘Scooby Doo' movie. Reviewers are giving it a big thumbs-up.
Q: How many cinemas now have the system?
A: We have 23 systems in 18 cinemas across the US. We also have one system in London and hope to grow to 80-100 systems by the end of the year.
Q: So is Boeing getting into the movie business?
A: Absolutely not. The system is just one example of Boeing's Global Connectivity programme, which can supply large amounts of downloadable data via satellite anywhere in the world, quickly and securely. Digital Cinema is a perfect application and shows just what we can do.
Q: Where do you go from here?
A: We need to push down the cost of the projector, which accounts for about half of the $230,000 average cost. We are also working on methods to speed up the download time per film – it currently takes about six hours per 50-Gigabyte movie.
Q: Will Digital Cinema actually make Boeing any money?
A: Absolutely. Every business in Boeing Space and Communications has to stand on its own two feet. Our launch customers were real paying customers and we are already bringing in revenue.
Source: Flight Daily News
