Press release from Progressiva
XENON, an Australia provider of high-performance computing solutions, today announces a deal to usher in full digital cinema at Australia’s independent film theatres across the country.
XENON Systems has helped the Independent Cinema Association of Australia (ICAA) with a program to replace projection by 35mm traditional film reel with digital at Australia’s 140+ independent movie theatres across the country in what ICAA calls the biggest advancement in cinema since the introduction of the ‘talkies’ in the late 1920s. ICAA also says that the project will help ensure commercial survival for independent cinemas, allow them to innovate in the type of content they exhibit, and in running their business more efficiently and profitably.
ICAA’s “Project Digital” is on track for completion by the end of 2013 with three quarters of Australia’s cinemas having moved across to the new digital format already. ICAA worked in collaboration with members and the film industry to draw up specifications for a standardised technology solution that encompassed their requirements as affordably as possible. ICAA selected XENON Systems to supply and build the Library Management System due to the advanced solution and specific approach proposed.
As the official supplier of the Library Management Systems (LMS) to independent cinemas participating in ICAA’s “Project Digital”, XENON Systems essentially provides the brain of the infrastructure. The LMS is a fully pre-configured server solution powered by Intel® Xeon® processors to ensure as little customisation or technical intervention as possible is required on behalf of the cinema once the server is installed at the theatre. As a centralised piece of technology integrated with ICAA’s Network Operation Centre (NOC), changes are easily handled via firmware updates.
The significant challenge for XENON Systems was to deliver a traditional LMS solution which is based on a rackmount server, a separate storage array and an external 2bay CRU digital cinema enclosure all build it in a single server. XENON Systems evaluated technology options on behalf of ICAA and chose Intel® Xeon® processors which deliver a significant I/O performance to allow all the devices to be built in a single server. The Intel® Xeon® processors also offer Turbo Boost Technology[1] which provides intelligent performance-per-watt to match constantly shifting computing demands and allows for multiple digital cinema servers to be updated with new content simultaneously.
“The entertainment industry the world over has undeniably undergone a radical change since the advent of digital. It is well and truly time for the industry to adapt and our primary objective is to ensure that the independent cinemas transition to full digital is supported, successful and financially achievable,” said Adrianne Pecotic, Chief Executive Officer at ICAA. “Independent exhibitors have a very unique proposition and relationship with their patrons, indeed often they are the centrepoint in a community. Considering that 80% of independent cinemas are based in regional Australia, our imperative was to work with a partner who understood this, and could provide an advanced, agnostic technology environment but which allowed flexibility for any customisation required, all at a realistic pricepoint. XENON Systems stood out at meeting all of our requirements, and the team showed a great deal of passion to work with us, and with Cinedigm, to drive this enormous revolution taking place behind the cinema screen.”
“As an Australian company of film lovers, and as a technology solutions provider, working with ICAA on its vision to help independent cinema thrive into the future has been extremely gratifying,” said Dragan Dimitrovici, Chief Executive Officer at XENON Systems. “Our own technology development on Intel® Xeon®processors has been pivotal to the success of this project. We’re absolutely committed to working in partnership with ICAA to ensure we support independent cinemas transition to full digital deployment and enjoy the most successful operation of their digital cinema projection systems.”
VR Rajkumar, National Channel Sales Manager, Intel ANZ, explained, “This implementation of Intel® Xeon® processors by XENON Systems demonstrates how we continue to invest in, and support, our channel partners to ensure they have the tools and know-how to cater for a broad spectrum of industries and needs. XENON Systems has shown here how it has taken the initiative to grasp ICAA’s requirements and develop a tailored solution to successfully transform its operations.