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Kodak`s New Digital Theater Software

The top U.S. movie theater chains, Kodak Digital Cinema and National CineMedia, said on Wednesday that they are developing theater management software that will automate digital cinema systems which are now being installed at movie theaters around the world. Kodak`s operating system has been used on about 2,000 screens in North America for the past two years to manage pre-show advertising, box offices and theater lighting and temperature from a central point in movie theaters.

According to Bob Mayson, general manager of Kodak Digital Motion Imaging, the system that exists now will be modified to also handle digital feature film presentations. The new operating system is designed to operate with all digital projectors and playback systems. "What we are talking about here is an operating system akin to how (Microsoft) Windows can drive applications on your computer," Mayson said.

The two companies` plans are to run trials with the new system later this year at 60 sites and to market it to the 15 chains that already use Kodak`s operating system. NCM partners AMC Entertainment Inc, Cinemark USA and Regal Entertainment Group have not committed to installing the system on their 13,000 screens, although Kodak is hoping to install the systems there as well.