Ster-Kinekor ditches film in digital overhaul

[dualmeister]

About time!

Cinema chain Ster-Kinekor Theatres will replace all of its screens countrywide with digital technology over the next 12 months in a deal that will probably be worth nearly R100m. About 400 screens are affected by the move.

The company, which is owned by Primedia, has signed an agreement with Arts Alliance Media, a digital cinema equipment supplier, to install the technology at all of its 59 sites. Roughly 12% of its screens are already digital.

Ster-Kinekor Theatres CEO Fiaz Mahomed tells TechCentral that the majority of the new screens will use 2K projectors (2 048-pixel width), but some sites will get higher-definition — and costlier — 4K projectors (4 096-pixel width).

The two companies are working to establish the optimum equipment configuration for the new installations. All the sites will be kitted out with Arts Alliance Media’s proprietary TMS software, called Screenwriter, to manage all digital screens and content.

Mahomed says the move will mean “rapid and in certain instances instantaneous release of movie titles as well as alternative content such as sporting events and live concerts”.

He says moving to digital will allow the company to screen more 3D content. It should also provide superior picture quality, new genres of film content and closer alignment of local release dates with international ones.

A second phase of the project will involve connecting the cinemas together to allow content to be distributed automatically from a central office. For now, though, movies will be distributed to individual cinemas using hard drives. — (c) 2012 NewsCentral Media

Source

[abzo]

About time.

[Rocket Raccoon]

While they're at it, bring back IMAX.

Sport in theatre?

[dualmeister]

Another article

Big things are happening soon with Ster Kinekor cinemas, and their screens precisely. The local giant has announced that they will soon begin work on shifting all their screens from humble film to digital, a move that will be implemented across 59 cinemas across the nation.

In a press release today, SK confirmed that work had already begun on securing the equipment to upgrade their theatres, with such hardware such as AAM proprietary TMS software and Screenwriter being brought in for the transition.

Converting to digital is a critical step in the progression of Ster-Kinekor Theatres as we continue to grow our business and continue to lead South Africa’s movie exhibition industry”, said Chief Executive Officer of Ster-Kinekor Theatres, Fiaz Mahomed.

It is also critical in meeting the very real demand from our valued audiences in seeing the best content on offer in an all-consuming, all entertaining environment. This is an evolving sector and we are committed to continuously improving the consumer experience.

We’re delighted to announce this deal with AAM – we’ve seen their experience in Europe and are looking forward to their expertise in helping us become 100% digital.

The investment into the digital conversion in our cinemas will mean rapid, and in certain instances instantaneous, release of movie titles as well as alternative content such as sporting events and live concerts.

The benefits to the consumer are the most exciting part of the project for us as this rollout will result in more 3D content being screened, superior picture quality, new genres of film content and closer alignment of local release dates with international ones.

As well as the upcoming digital revamp, SK will also be launching new mobile websites and apps, with which patrons can secure tickets to shows, without having to queue for them.

“All to meet consumer demand and giving our customers a superior cinema experience,” said Mahomed.

“With AAM’s market-leading experience in Europe, and having recently confirmed our international expansion to Latin America with our announcement of a VPF deal with Sony Pictures, we see South Africa as another key territory where a VPF program could bring tremendous value and Ster-Kinekor is a fantastic first partner to be working with”, said Chief Executive Officer of Arts Alliance Media, Howard Kiedaisch

AAM’s Director of Business Development and Commercial Operations, Giovanni Dolci, added, “We have been working closely with Fiaz and his team to devise a solution that would meet Ster-Kinekor’s needs and we are thrilled to announce this deal to support their digital conversion.

So what does that mean for us exactly? Well, hopefully more films, quicker, sooner and in sync with other international markets, along with a picture that boasts higher definitions as well.

[droplet]

more 3d content... FAIL

[biena]

The benefits to the consumer are the most exciting part of the project for us as this rollout will result in more 3D content being screened,

Don't care, cannot watch 3d movies anyway.

“All to meet consumer demand and giving our customers a superior cinema experience,” said Mahomed.

Translation: Big jump in ticket prices

[stevenv]

And tickets will now cost R100 each.

[JStrike]

Anyone know which location in Cape Town will get 4k first?

[Keegan]

And tickets will now cost R100 each.

+1

Plus now it’s on HDD.... It'll definitely be copied by employee's and distributed... in HD awesome!!

[Cius]

Dumb move if they up prices. Home entertainment systems are getting better and better and more people are choosing to watch movies at home. Unless you go to the movies with some kind of a discount voucher or card they are already ridiculously overpriced. I suspect they will price themselves out of the market if they keep ratcheting up the price of what in essence is 1.5 hours of entertainment.

[DrYes]

He says moving to digital will allow the company to screen more 3D content.

thanks but no thanks.

3D blows.

[DrYes]

And tickets will now cost R100 each.

no tickets will be the same.
A box of popcorn will now set you back R30.

[dualmeister]

Roughly 12% of its screens are already digital.

I'm still looking for one of these

[ponder]

Need insider for 4k source material

[The_Librarian]

*yawn*

I'd rather watch at home where there's no noisy cellphones, popcorn munchers, or people yapping away.