LATEST CINEMA STUFF

PHISHING - PHARMING - MALWARE - WHAT?

If you don't know what these words mean - you should! These are the buzz words used to describe digital data theft. We're not talking about teen-hacker's downloading worms but very advanced data and identity theft of individuals and companies which fuel an immense underground economy. Defending and protecting data processing equipment and contents from sophisticated high-tech theft is an issue fast becoming a necessity for businesses and individuals.

What warning signs to look for. How to defend against data theft. What protective actions to implement. It's all part of the two day "Managing A Cinema" training workshop being held September 17 & 18 at Cinema Training Central. Don't miss it!

SECOND SOURCE CINEMA INCOME

Standard video projection has beome a significant second source revenue generator at cinemas. Used for a variety of activities - from pre-feature ads and entertainment to DVD-based film festivals - a digital projector is a low-cost necessity for optimizing a cinema's entertainment value. And, yes - your heard me - low cost. A high definition digital projector suitable for cinema use can be purchased for under $4,000. And, cinema customers that have purchased digital projectors inform us that the payback on their investment averaged 6 months or less.

Easy to install, operate, and maintain, don't miss the opportunity to enhance your cinema's operations and profitability. And don't let all the tech jargon that surrounds digital projection intimidate you - we're here to help you through the tech-talk minefield. Call us with any questions or concerns, we'll be happy to provide information and expertise on the subject.

D-CINEMA - WHERE IS IT AT?

What's up with Big-D? Digital projection technology keeps advancing. As we predicted JVC has introduced a prototype 4K D-Cinema projector to rival Sony's SXRD 4Ker and Texas Instrument's won't be far behind. That will leave the current 2K machines resident at cinemas (which jumped the gun) obsolete after only 18 months. Another question is how will the advancing computer server virtualization software - such as VMware's hypervision - impact Big-D? Which it will.

Learn all about the latest technologies regarding Big-D, as well as, the latest advances in conventional digital projection by attending CTC's "Digital Cinema Training Workshop" to be held Wednesday, September 19th, as part of CTC's annual cinema training week. Call us for details.

SEPTEMBER TRAINING BRINGS IN MANUFACTURERS/SPONSORS

Osram Sylvania, Kneisley Manufacturing and Yamaha Pro Audio will be several manufacturers along with Speco Systems that will be sponsoring a luncheon or other social event during CTC's training week - September 17 - 21. Manufacturer sponsorships offer a great marketing opportunity at minimal cost and benefit the manufacturer, as well as, the CTC participants.

FALL'S BACK IN

Coming off a very good summer the box office lineup for the fall looks impressive. From September to years end Hollywood releases will total over 125 and, like the summer films, will concentrate on fantasy and comedy - the two main audience drawing genres. We are sticking with our prediction of a record $10 billion U.S. box office for 2007 and solid revenue numbers for exhibitors which will partially make up for 2006's lackluster performance.

EXHIBITION REALITY CHECK

The large U.S. publicly traded cinema exhibitors' stocks look grim. Although Carmike (symbol: CKEC) touted their conversion to Big-D as the next coming, the stock market has taken a much less heavenly view. Even with a stellar summer B.O. Carmike's stock is currently $1 above its 52 week low at $17+ change and the company is projected to lose $4.50/share this year.

Regal (symbol: RGC) at $22+/share is doing better but is still under-performing as it is projected to earn only 80 cents/share on revenues of $2.9 billion. As for AMC, well, their initial public offering (IPO) was cancelled on the eve of its scheduled May "coming out" party - due to a lack of market acceptance.

EXHIBITORS: Get back to basics. Exhibit (I couldn't resist) some showmanship. You're getting sidetracked with Big-D. FLASH - Big-D isn't a revenue generator and the box office isn't going to get any better than it was this summer.