Dickinson Theatres selects GDC servers for digital cinema deployment

250 GDC digital cinema servers to be installed in 25 sites across five US states

 

 

SHOWEAST, Orlando (October 14, 2010) – GDC Technology (“GDC”), a world leading digital cinema solution provider, is pleased to announce today that Dickinson Theatres has selected GDC’s digital cinema servers for its digital cinema conversion. A total of 25 theatres will undergo digital conversion with the installation of 250 GDC digital cinema servers across five Midwestern states.

 

In addition to GDC, Ballantyne Strong, Inc. will operate as the project integrator, and supply NEC projectors. Cinedigm will provide deployment support, while NEC Financial Services and bankers MacQuarrie International will provide financing.

 

 

Founded in 1920, Dickinson Theatres has been entertaining audiences in the American Midwest for over 80 years, operating 367 screens at 37 locations in nine states. With a dedication to serving customers motionpicture excellence by providing quality presentations and superior customer service, Dickinson’s Theatres believes the transition to digital is an essential step forward. GDC along with NEC, Cinedigm and Ballantyne Strong expect to successfully complete at least half of the 25 theatre conversions over the next 12 months.

 

 

With operations across Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Nebraska,
Oklahoma, and Texas, Dickinson Theatres has developed an impeccable understanding of the cinema market. Their mission to provide the finest cinematic experience is paramount, being one of the first exhibitors to enlist in Cinedigm’s Phase 2 digital rollout program. The expansion announced today will allow for an impressive 250 screens to be digitized, keeping Dickinson Theatres a leader in the Midwest cinema market.

 

 

“We are excited to be moving forward and we believe GDC’s digital cinema servers will deliver the best cinematic experience for our customers,” said John Hartley, President and CEO of Dickinson Theatres. “Not only do they provide top quality products, but we also feel we are in secure, experienced hands with GDC, who has assisted us in many aspects of preparation of this transition.”

 

 

“It is a sincere pleasure to work with Dickinson Theatres at such a pivotal point in their long history” said Dr Man-Nang Chong, founder and CEO of GDC Technology. “We are confident that this collaboration will ensure Dickinson Theatres are serviced with the highest quality and future proof digital cinema technology, while also enriching the moviegoer’s experience.”

 

 

“We are delighted be the digital cinema integrator of choice” said Chuck Goldwater, President of Cinedigm’s Media Services Group. “Dickinson Theatres has achieved an impressive reputation in the cinema industry which we are excited to be a part of.” “We are delighted to have secured this contract with Dickinson Theatres and to have NEC Financial Services provide the financing to make this deployment possible”, said Pierre Richer, President and C.O.O. of NEC Display Solutions. NEC Digital Cinema Projector Series provides the highest quality for moviegoers, and when coupled with NEC financing solutions, represents a best-in-class solution for exhibitors looking to make the move to digital. Partnering with Ballantyne and Cinedigm on this particular deployment is not only an asset for NEC but a building block to leverage Dickinson Theatres.” “The alliance between Cinedigm, NEC, GDC and Ballantyne is an approach to digital conversion which evidently works, and with rapid progress already achieved in this deployment, our expectations are justifiably high.” said John Wilmers, President and CEO, Ballantyne Strong.

 

 

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About GDC Technology (http://www.gdc-tech.com)
GDC Technology (“GDC”) is a subsidiary of the Hong Kong publicly listed company – Global Digital Creations Holdings Limited. As one of the leading global solution providers for digital cinema, media delivery and display markets, GDC has successfully delivered and installed digital cinema servers and advanced digital signage systems worldwide. GDC is currently the largest supplier of cinema servers throughout Asia and the second largest provider of cinema servers worldwide, serving its customers through offices in the US, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. GDC also holds Virtual Print Fee (“VPF”) agreements with major US studios and acts as a thirdparty for the major deployment of digital cinema systems in Asia.

 

 

About Dickinson Theatres (http://dtmovies.com)
Dickinson Theatres currently operates 37 theatres, totaling 367 screens in nine Midwest states and the corporate office is located in Kansas. Run as a family business for almost 80 years, Dickinson Theatres was founded in 1920 and since, has continued to grow rapidly without losing their original values. With this seemingly unlimited growth and stability in operations, Dickinson Theatres is fast becoming the premier movie exhibition company in Midwest America.

 

 

About NEC Display Solutions of America, Inc. (http://www.necdisplay.com)
Headquartered in Itasca, Ill., NEC Display Solutions of America, Inc., is a leading designer and provider of innovative desktop LCD monitors, commercial- and professional-grade large-screen LCD displays, a diverse line of multimedia and digital cinema projectors and integrated display solutions. NEC Display Solutions develops leading-edge visual technology and customer-focused solutions for a wide variety of markets, including enterprise, healthcare, education and digital signage. For additional information about NEC Display Solutions of America monitors, consumers can call (866) NEC-MORE, or visit the website at
www.necdisplay.com. For digital images, please visit http://www.necdisplay.com/products/digitalmedialibrary/.

 

 

About Ballantyne Strong, Inc. (http://www.ballantyne-strong.com)
Ballantyne Strong, Inc., is a provider of digital cinema projection equipment and services as well as cinema screens, motion picture projectors and specialty lighting equipment and services. The Company supplies major and independent theatre chains, top arenas, theme parks and architectural sites around the world.

 

About NEC Financial Services, LLC (http://www.neclease.com/)
NEC Financial Services, LLC, delivers tailored leasing structures of extraordinary flexibility to customers nationwide and has expanded to include a complete range of technologies and services. NEC Financial
Services offers financing services to Solution Providers, System Integrators, Resellers and Dealers, and their customers by supporting the sale of products and solutions to businesses in the United States. For more information, visit www.neclease.com.

 

About Cinedigm (http://www.cinedigm.com)
Cinedigm is a leader in providing the services, experience, technology and content critical to transforming movie theatres into digital and networked entertainment centers. The Company partners with Hollywood movie studios, independent movie distributors and exhibitors to bring movies in digital cinema format to audiences across the country. Cinedigm’s digital cinema deployment organization, software, satellite and hard drive digital movie delivery network; pre-show in-theatre advertising services and marketing and distribution platform for alternative content such as CineLive® 3D and 2D sports and concerts, thematic programming and independent movies is a cornerstone of the digital cinema transformation. Cinedigm™ and Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp™ are trademarks of Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp. www.cinedigm.com (NASDAQ: CIDM)

GDC Media Contact:
Laura Matthews 
GDC Technology of America LLC
21155 Whitfield Place, Suite 207
Sterling, VA 20165

Tel: (1) 877-337-0868
Fax: (1) 571-313-0468
Email: [email protected]

Dickinson Theatres Media Contact:
Laura Matthews

6801 W. 107th Street
Overland Park,
KS 66212
Tel: (1) 913-432-2334
Fax: (1) 913-432-9507

NEC Media Contact: 
Philip Anast
Tech Image (for NEC Display Solutions) 
Tel: (1) 847-279-0022 x 238 Omaha, NE 68112
Email: [email protected]

Ballantyne Strong Media Contact:

Kevin Herrmann

4350 McKinley Street

Omaha, NE 68112

Tel: (1) 402-453-4444

Cinedigm Media Contact:
Dave McNamee
HL Group, representing Cinedigm
Tel: (1) 212-529-5533