Christie Brings the Magic of Digital Cinema to the Center of Science and Industry Museum in Ohio

Cypress, CA -- (SBWire) -- 09/06/2011 --It may be based on science, but the effect is pure magic for captivated audiences at the Center of Science and Industry Museum (COSI) in Columbus, Ohio, which selected two Christie Solaria™ Series CP2230 projectors to power its “Extreme Screen” theater – the largest screen in Ohio. The projectors deliver a seamless image across the giant screen, providing a visually stunning, high quality picture that dramatically enhances the effect of the theater’s “heart pounding” sound system. COSI also selected Service Plus, provided by Christie® Managed Services™. The Service Plus offering will provide next-day parts delivery and 24/7 monitoring from Christie’s Network Operations Center (NOC), ensuring the fastest, most reliable technical support and maintenance for the museum’s projectors and connected devices.

Voted the No. 1 Science Center for families in the U.S. by Parents magazine, COSI attracts nearly 600,000 visitors every year. It features 100,000 square feet of exhibit space with 300 interactive, hands-on exhibitions, special events, family programs and the country’s only high wire unicycle act. At the heart of the innovative museum is the colossal movie screen, which presents a wide variety of high definition content, from 2D and 3D movies and documentaries, to quality alternative content from Internet and fiber optic feeds. All the presentations meet a grueling museum schedule that pushes the capacity of its projection system to maintain the highest level of performance, image stability, and operational reliability.

“We had pushed our old projection system to its absolute limit, and needed the latest and most reliable digital cinema technology that would do justice to the diverse, quality content we present,” said COSI President and CEO, Dr. David Chesebrough. “The Christie Solaria Series projectors have proven to be a perfect choice.”

According to Vince Butler of CLACO Equipment and Service, a Utah-based Christie Entertainment Solutions dealer that installed the system, COSI needed, not just a high-performance projection system bright enough to fill the huge screen, but one that was exceptionally reliable, easy to operate, maintain and service. And, to stay true to the museum’s mission to utilize green technology to protect our planet, they also needed to be energy efficient.

“Christie projectors are backed by 80 years of industry experience, with a reputation for quality that is unmatched. They also have lower energy requirements and produce less heat – so the projection booth doesn’t need as much energy-guzzling air conditioning to keep it cool,” said Butler.

Sean James, vice president of Christie Managed Services, noted that COSI chose the Service Plus plan, selecting from a menu of services that provides 24/7 remote monitoring of the Christie projectors and connected devices. Through this service, the museum gained access to a nationwide network of technicians for rapid response to technical issues, software upgrades and troubleshooting, as well as repair and replacement of parts for the next 10 years.

“We are pleased to play an important role in helping COSI bring the excitement of digital cinema technology to a new generation of museum goers,” said James.