3D Conference
Graham Lodge - Managing Director of Sound Associates - will be part of the panel discussions at the forthcoming 3D conference which is being held at the Apollo Cinema, Piccadilly Circus on Tuesday 23rd February.
This CEA supported event allows visitors to learn about all of the 3D systems currently available and to ask questions of the panel members.
You can find more details here.
Apollo Cinemas 4K conversation continues apace.
The first 4 Apollo cinema sites have now been converted by Sound Associates to be fully equipped with Sony 4K projectors. The Sony projectors have replaced all of the 35mm equipment, making each site "digital only" - and the results have been spectacular! Apollo have increased their market share for 3D films, the equipment has been stunningly reliable, Apollo staff are delighted by the ease of running the equipment - and customers love the image quality. The conversions continue with 2 more sites in February.
Twickenham Film Studio - Press Release
Sound Associates installs Christie Digital Cinema projector for Twickenham Film Studio
Twickenham Film Studios recently contracted Sound Associates to supply, install and commission a Christie CP2000ZX into their largest editing suite.
Carl Childs - Head of Sound Dept Engineering – commented “We selected the Christie projector due to its technical specification, market acceptance and ease of use. Sound Associates demonstrated that they understood our specific requirements, our plan to replace the existing 35mm projector and our need to integrate this new equipment with our existing operation”
Andy Robertshaw responded “No two jobs are the same, and this project proved once again that we can meet the technical and commercial challenges across a wide range of client expectations. We are delighted to have been awarded the contract and to have worked with Carl and his team”
March 2009 - Sound Associates announces its 150 digital cinema installation.
Since the beginning of 2009 Sound Associates has been awarded a number of digital cinema contracts by both multiplex operators and independent cinemas which have brought their total number of D-Cinema installations to over 150 screens.
Andrew Robertshaw – Projects Director – observed that “Our experience in integrating new digital cinema technology with existing 35mm installations has been a key factor for many of our clients”.
The rapid increase in the 3D rollout has been a factor in achieving this total and all of the projector manufacturers - Barco, Christie, NEC and Sony – are represented within the installed base. Many of the server manufacturers also feature as are the 3D systems from both Dolby and Real D.
Graham Lodge – Managing Director – commented "Whilst it was a slow start initially, Digital cinema is now a significant part of our business. Yes, we continue to install and support 35mm technology, but during 2009 we will set-up more digital projection systems than traditional film projectors. We are grateful to all our customers who continue to trust us with the engine rooms of their businesses."
January 2009 - Sound Associates completes Phase 3 of 3D projection systems for Odeon cinemas.
ODEON and UCI Cinemas, Europe’s largest cinema operator, has further extended its estate of 3D equipped DCI-compliant Digital Cinema screens in the UK – adding another 24 screens opening in time for Ice Age 3D.
Odeon once again contracted Sound Associates, the UK‘s leading cinema equipment installer, for the installation of the 3D systems.
Each system uses an NEC projector, Doremi server, Real D 3D system and appropriate network and ADSL hardware and cabling – all housed in the Sound Associates SA digibase.
Graham Lodge – SA Managing Director – commented “
January 2009 - Sound Associates fit-out forms part of £800,000 redesign
Following a design makeover costing £800,000, the Cine lumiere arthouse reopened recently with a special appearance by the acclaimed French actress, Catherine Deneuve.
Forming part of the Grade II-listed South Kensington-based Institut français, the cinema unveiled a new digital facility, including the first UK application of Christie’s CP2000-M digital projector, specified and installed by Sound Associates.
With its compact form factor, Sound Associates’ sales and marketing director, Jerry Murdoch, believes, “Had it not been for the reduced footprint of the CP2000-M I am not sure this project would have gone ahead digitally.” Given the space constraints, the decision had been dependent on being able to scale down their standard projector digi-base. “And with the CP2000-M we were able to reduce it to 75% of the normal depth.”
Murdoch continued, “It was an absolute no brainer to specify the Christie CP2000-M — it was our prime choice from Day One. It delivers excellent picture quality and is an easy machine to use. This was one of the key requirements but it also fitted into the Institute’s commercial demands.”
The most compact DLP Digital Cinema® projector in the world, the CP2000-M delivers up to 12,000 lumens of output power, specifically designed to maintain DCI luminance requirements on smaller screens up to 35 feet wide. Weighing less than 100lbs, the projector can be transported and installed by only two people. Based on .98” DLP Digital Cinema® technology, the CP2000-M uses new high efficiency CDXL-20SD 2000 watt Xenon lamps, while competitive models require larger, 3000 watt lamps for the same light output — a clear Christie advantage on cost of ownership and lumens per watt.
The CP2000-M also features eight new motorised zoom lenses to guarantee the right solution for virtually any auditorium, with no need for resizing or scaling. Brought in by architect Stefanie Fischer of Burrell Foley Fischer LLP the Sound Associates team, led by Andrew Robertshaw, first needed to redesign and enlarge the projection room to enable the resident 35mm, 16mm and digital projectors to be positioned more centrally to the screen and avoid image distortion. To complete the digital delivery they fitted a Doremi DCP-2000 DCI JPEG2000 Digital Cinema (DCI-compliant) server and the Christie Cine IPM 2K image processor for scaling — and upgraded the sound system (enabling the facility to additionally be used in a staging presentation mode).
The work that took place within the beautiful art deco building, with its marble foyer, included new carpeting and replacement of all 249 seats within the cinema while the integrity of the art deco interior has been reinstated. Cine lumiere also boasts disabled facilities (including a platform lift) in compliance with the DDA regulations.
At the same time new acoustic performance doors and window glazing prevent noise intrusion and break-out, while the stage at the front of the auditorium has again been reduced in depth so that the art deco windows closest to the stage can be revealed, therefore reinstating the original architectural integrity of the room.
The funding initiative for this project had been driven by Laurence Auer, director of the Institut français; approximately 30% of the renovation budget was provided by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the remaining 70% by individual and corporate donors solicited as part of the fund-raising campaign.
In the decade since opening, Ciné lumiere quickly established itself as one of London’s top repertory cinemas, and by 2008 its programme had expanded to over 800 screenings a year, specialising in French, European and World cinema.
When the cinema reopened it was with two prestigious art house titles (A Christmas Tale and The Class) — and a special visit from veteran French director Claude Lelouch. The facility is also easily switchable to ‘stage mode’ for presentations and video conferencing.
The new CP2000-M was quickly pressed into action, much to the delight of senior projectionist Benjamin Helies and use of digital is already running at 40% of the total films screened.
“We considered different levels of investment and various product options but ended up backing Christie after reviewing its performance in different cinemas and checking maintenance issues. The CP2000-M is also easier to use than other models we looked at.”
Laurence Auer added. “The day that we switched over to digital was amazing. It is a far better solution than the 35mm, and in fact Claude Lelouch used it during his masterclass.”
She added that a lot of the success was attributable to their relationship with Sound Associates and particular their engineers on site – led by Andy Atkinson.
The final word came from Jerry Murdoch: “It’s the first time we’ve used a CP2000-M, but from its success at the French Institute we already have two further contracts.”
January 2009 - Sound Associates installs 3D projection systems for Odeon cinemas
ODEON and UCI Cinemas, Europe’s largest cinema operator, is currently installing dozens of new 3D screens as it further extends its network of DCI-compliant Digital Cinema screens in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany & Austria. Sound Associates, the UK‘s leading cinema equipment integrator, is installing the 31 systems for phase 1 in the UK.
As part of the strategy, ODEON & UCI will triple its coverage of 3D digital screens in response to the wealth of 3D blockbusters due for release in 2009. By the end of March, over 100 sites across Europe will be equipped for 3D, with 52 screens in the UK alone, more than any other UK exhibitor.
Following its site survey of each location, Sound Associates assembled, configured and tested each system at its facility in West London prior to installation. A system consists of an NEC projector, Qube or Doremi server, Real D 3D system and appropriate network and ADSL hardware and cabling – all housed in the specially adapted Sound Associates SA DigiBase.
Drew Kaza, Executive Vice President of Digital Development for ODEON and UCI Cinemas, said, “The installs have been going incredibly smoothly. We are pleased that the vast majority of upgraded screens are actually running ahead of schedule at this stage, enabling us to unveil the benefits of 3D even sooner to our film fanatics across the UK. This is the next important step as we accelerate our moves into digital in 2009.”
Graham Lodge, Managing Director of Sound Associates, said “We are delighted to be working with ODEON and UCI on this groundbreaking project and I am particularly pleased that our engineers are managing to keep up with the demanding install schedule. ODEON and UCI have been able to show 3D films ahead of the planned date – this has to be good for the cinemas and for the customers”.