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NEC's STARUS Digital Cinema Projector Selected Based on
Detailed Evaluation of Performance and Reliability Standards
BURBANK, Calif. - March 13, 2006 - Reinforcing its global leadership in digital cinema, Thomson (Euronext 18453; NYSE: TMS) today announced that its Technicolor Digital Cinema business, part of the Services division of Thomson, has selected the STARUS line of digital cinema projectors from the Digital Cinema Division of NEC Solutions (America), Inc. to include in its upcoming beta test of end-to-end digital cinema services. Technicolor and NEC Solutions America have formed a strategic alliance to support and promote this initiative.
The digital cinema beta test is an important component of the Technicolor Digital Cinema plan to ensure reliability and adherence to Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) standards prior to a nationwide rollout. The beta test, in up to 200 theatres in North America, will test up to three different projector and server configurations and is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2006.
The strategic alliance between Technicolor and NEC was formed to establish a clear spirit of collaboration among both companies. Removing obstacles in the working relationship will accelerate the development of best-in-class digital cinema technologies, and the ultimate adoption of efficient and reliable digital cinema solutions in theatres.
"We are pleased to have selected the NEC STARUS projector as part of our upcoming beta test of digital cinema services in North America," said Curt Behlmer, senior vice president of Operations for Technicolor Digital Cinema. "The NEC projector met our stringent requirements for performance, reliability and functionality and should provide consumers with a satisfying and dynamic cinema experience."
"NEC is committed to delivering the latest in digital cinema solutions to our clients," said Kurt Schwenk, general manager, Digital Cinema Division of NEC Solutions America. "NEC's strategic alliance with Technicolor is an example of industry expertise working together to advance the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies."
NEC's complete family of STARUS Digital Cinema projectors, announced today, includes the STARUS NC2500S for large screen multiplexes; the STARUS NC1500C for medium-sized movie screens; and the STARUS NC800C for small theatres, screening rooms, and post-production facilities. Submitted for the Technicolor beta test, the STARUS NC2500S is the world's brightest DLP Cinema® projector for large-sized screens 49 feet wide and larger1. NEC's STARUS Digital Cinema projectors deliver amplified brightness, sharper graphics and eye-catching color, using DLP Cinema technology from Texas Instruments®. Delivering 2K resolution and high contrast images (2000:1), the STARUS NC2500S Digital Cinema projector is easy to operate and requires minimal maintenance.
NEC's STARUS projector was selected after a rigorous evaluation at the Technicolor Digital Cinema Test Center. To ensure the integrity and transparency of its research methodology, Technicolor Digital Cinema first actively solicited the participation of major hardware developers via an open request for information (RFI) process, followed by the issuance of formal requests for proposals (RFP) based on OEM interest and the scope of equipment details provided to the company. Technicolor Digital Cinema then accepted projectors and servers into its facility for evaluation based on the quality of RFP submissions, and the willingness of manufacturer representatives to work closely with staff engineers on test implementations and their corresponding findings.
During equipment evaluation and analysis, Technicolor Digital Cinema engineers examined both server and projector abilities to efficiently handle such core digital cinema operations as subtitle display, simultaneous playout and movement, inter-server movement, automation, 2K and 4K interoperability, alternative content playback, remote management, 3-D capabilities, and on-screen advertising integration. Furthermore, the company also tested each unit's ease of distribution and back-of-house systems integration, since projectors and servers are required by the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) specification to work seamlessly with each other, and with different distribution and theatre management systems.
Technicolor Digital Cinema, following the successful completion of the beta test, plans an initial deployment of complete digital projection systems in up to 5,000 DCI-compliant screens over the next 3-4 years. It is the strategic intent of the company to introduce systems into at least 15,000 digitally-equipped screens in the United States and Canada over the next 10 years through the preliminary rollout and additional phases. The company recently reached an understanding with Century Theatres, Inc. which calls for the theatre chain to participate in the beta test, with the expectation that Century will then participate in the broader rollout.
About NEC Solutions America
NEC Solutions (America), Inc. is a premier provider of integrated solutions for the Connected Enterprise in North America. As an affiliate of NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.1), NEC Solutions America taps into a global resource network to help clients leverage technology to achieve a competitive edge. From corporate performance management and biometric security solutions to digital cinema and in-theatre advertising systems, visual displays and server solutions, the expertise is delivered with the personal attention needed to address individual situations. With headquarters in Rancho Cordova, California, NEC Solutions America serves a wide range of markets, including the healthcare and public safety, financial services, cinema, retail and manufacturing markets. Information regarding NEC Solutions America can be found at www.necsam.com.
About Thomson - Partner To the Media & Entertainment Industries
Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) provides services, systems and equipment, and technology to help its Media & Entertainment clients - content creators, content distributors, and users of its technology - realize their business goals and optimize their performance in a rapidly-changing technology environment. The Group is the preferred partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries through its Technicolor, Grass Valley, RCA, and Thomson brands. For more information: http://www.thomson.net.
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 industry's most comprehensive suite 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 Electronic Distribution 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.
Media Contact Information
NEC Solutions America Contacts:
Beth Makosey (408) 206-1387, beth.makosey@necsam.com
Joshua Gershman, (650) 228-5168, jgershman@vocecomm.com
Thomson/Technicolor Contacts:
Keith Pillow, (805) 445-4254, keith.pillow@thomson.net
Season Skuro, (805) 38303245, season.skuro@thomson.net
STARUS is a trademark of NEC Solutions (America), Inc. DLP and DLP Cinema are registered trademarks of Texas Instruments. All other trademarks are of the respective owners. All Rights Reserved.
1 Subject to installation conditions.
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