GDC Technology developed their first cinema server in 2001 before there was even DCI certification of such products. At CinemaCon 2017, the company announced that more than 50,000 cinema media severs have been shipped to customers worldwide. More than a third of the world’s cinema screens, from art houses to multiplexes, now count on GDC Technology to enable new possibilities for big screen content and experiences.
At CinemaCon, they introduced a new server, the SR-1000 integrated media block, with a cache memory. This is memory in addition to the hard drive that is large enough to store several movie DCPs and can be used to keep the projector running in case of a hard disc failure. Man-Nang Chong, founder, chairman and CEO of GDC Technology Limited also noted that they use industrial grade components sourced in the United States from GE to help ensure high reliability. He also announced collaboration with Harman to integrate audio control into the server to save costs.
The company also described their Theatre Management System (TMS) and Content Management System (CMS) that are designed to help automate operations. The CMS assembles all the movies, trailers, and other content and schedules it across screen and venues. It works in combination with the TMS and an external NOC to fully monitor operations, generate reports, schedule maintenance, etc. Such systems have been installed in China and they are reporting good ROI, GDC told us.
In addition, GDC introduced SmartCinema, a smart system that can integrate sensor data from throughout the theater including temperature, people, AV status, power consumption and more. It can even count people entering a theater and compare to tickets sold or shut down the projector if there is no one in the theater.
Finally, the company described their new JetReel Cinema project. As described in the Samsung article on its new Cinema Screen (Samsung Rocks CinemaCon with New LED Screen for Theatrical), GDC will use this LED display, plus its own server/controller solution and an audio solution from Harman to offer a new PLF format. It will be an 8K resolution screen at 68’ (20.7m) wide and offer HDR capabilities with up to 500 cd/m² (146 Fl) of peak luminance and a wide color gamut, exceeding DCI P3. GDC plans to add full first class service and amenities to these theaters as well. The technology was just introduced at CinemaCon, so no specific plans for these JetReel Cinema installs was announced – just the intention. (see Samsung article for more) – CC
