Why are current installations labeled beta systems, and what can we learn from them?
Monday, 25 September 2006 15:46

In an ideal world, a digital cinema system would simply replace a film system, and business would go on as usual. Unfortunately, digital cinema is not that simple. In fact, digital cinema systems are significantly more complex in operation than their film counterparts. They introduce new and not well-understood constraints on business operations. Not only is there very little experience with much of the new technology specified by industry organizations, (particularly with security technology), there are no products that fully implement SMPTE standards-in-progress, DCI's System Specification. In addition, interoperability trials have yet to be held among manufacturers to insure that a minimum level of performance, security, and interoperability will be achieved. It is too early for manufacturers and users to learn how fully compliant systems actually work in real cinema environments. Thus, today's systems are truly beta, and today's users are the early adopters whose experience will contribute to the shaping of future digital cinema systems. For this reason, it is suggested that early adopters consider monitoring the following:

  • Dark Screens
    Dark screens can be tracked according to cause. Such causes can include the unavailability of content, interoperability issues that prevent the play of content, the untimely delivery of content and/or keys, wrong or incorrectly dated keys, and reliability issues.
  • Operations
    Do all shows start and complete as intended? Is there an impact on the ability to reschedule and move shows within the complex in a timely manner?
  • Maintenance
    The complexity of digital cinema systems will require highly trained maintenance personnel. In the case of security systems, security-certified maintenance personnel may be needed. Has there been difficulty in obtaining help from qualified maintenance personnel? Have delays and/or dark screens occurred due to slow maintenance response?
  • Network Security
    Has the exhibitor's network security been compromised? Has there been unauthorized access to the exhibitor's data network and data systems?
    		•