Ireland to become first digital cinema nation

Avica Europe has announced that the first of its countrywide digital cinema networks is now underway in Ireland, which will result in a groundbreaking nationwide conversion of Ireland's cinema screens to digital format.
Through its subsidiary Digital Cinema Limited (Ireland), Avica will enable projection of all forms of content to every screen in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Kevin Anderson of the country’s largest cinema chain, Ward Anderson, said: “DCL offered us the only solution that both supports Hollywood standards for digital cinema while providing an economically attractive option for independent distributors and exhibitors.”
Avica is the leading provider of technologies and services for Digital Cinema post-production, distribution and exhibition. Avica’s FilmStore family of products handles content delivery and presentation for distribution networks across the globe; including encoding and encryption, packaging and distribution, security and all aspects of theatre management and screening.
Nicholas Clay, Chairman and CEO of Avica, said: "We are proud to be able to bring the benefits of digital cinema to theatre-goers throughout Ireland, and thrilled to provide the technology which will enable the country to be the first in the world to make this move into the future of cinema.”
Clay noted that the conversion to digital will have no effect upon existing business arrangements between exhibitors and distributors, while delivering the inherent advantages of digital presentation systems, such as enhanced security, aesthetic improvements and easier management. Although focused initially on Ireland, Avica’s European distribution infrastructure will deliver these same benefits beyond the more than 500 Irish screens included in this first national network. Several other European nations are expected to follow suit.
(GB/CD)