Texas Instruments DLP Cinema announced Wednesday at ShoWest that IMAX will incorporate the DLP Cinema projector solution.
Under the terms of the agreement, each IMAX Digital projection system to be deployed to commercial exhibitors around the world, scheduled to begin mid-2008, will be powered by DLP Cinema projectors.
IMAX's highly anticipated digital projection system integrates a suite of proprietary IMAX intellectual properties with the DLP Cinema projector solution in a way that creates The IMAX Experience in a digital format.
IMAX's transition to digital will help to drive profitability for studios, exhibitors and IMAX theatres by virtually eliminating the need for film prints, increasing program flexibility and ultimately increasing the number of films shown on IMAX screens.
With the implementation of DLP Cinema technology, IMAX moviegoers will experience precise, lifelike images in vibrant colors, delivered through the millions of microscopic mirrors on the DLP Cinema chip.
Digital cinema installations continue to be catalyzed by the increasing release of 3D film.
The 3D movie format is severing as a revenue driver for the film industry overall, and has gained a resurgence of interest by moviegoers.
IMAX has been a leader in 3D content, especially since the overwhelming box office success of THE POLAR EXPRESS: An IMAX 3D Experience, which has grossed more than $65 million in IMAX theaters around the world since it opened in 2005.
More recently, BEOWULF: An IMAX 3D Experience grossed $25 million, representing a per screen average of more than $185,000.
2008 marks the 10th Anniversary of DLP's entrance into the cinema industry, with the first fully functional and Hollywood endorsed digital DLP Cinema movie projector.
After years of prototypes, DLP had delivered Hollywood's biggest image critics and cinematographers with a digital projector that met the world's highest standards on color, brightness and reliability and therefore pioneered the digital cinema concept.
A year later in 1999 the studios released the first movie in digital format on DLP Cinema which was STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE.
DLP Cinema honors the heritage of the ultimate viewing experience while incorporating the latest technology innovations, such as the 3D single projector solution, and cutting costs for cinema exhibitors, distributors and ultimately the consumer.
Celebrating its 10th year in the film industry, DLP Cinema projection technology is installed in over 6,000 theatres on every continent except Antarctica.
Today there are more than 1,200 theatres in the country that offer the digital 3D experience powered by DLP Cinema technology, and this number will continue to increase as more DLP projectors are deployed globally.
