Western Canada Chain Provides Leading-Edge Entertainment for All Audiences; Accesses Christie's Virtual Print Fee (VFP) Program for Rollout

Cypress, CA -- (SBWire) -- 11/08/2011 --Christie® today announced that Landmark Cinemas has chosen Christie’s range of digital cinema projection solutions for 100-plus screens throughout Western Canada and the Yukon.

The new projection solution at Landmark will include a range of DCI-compliant Christie Solaria™ Series projectors, specifically the CP2200, CP2210 and CP2300 projectors, to be installed by King Cinema Services.

The installation, to be completed over the next six months with no disruption in service, will see Landmark, Western Canada’s largest independently owned chain, providing state-of-the-art entertainment in all its markets, including 2D and 3D movies, live events and other alternative content made possible through digital conversion. The chain has also subscribed to Christie’s Virtual Print Fee (VPF) program.

“Christie guarantees us the twin pillars of superior product and the best people,” says Neil Campbell, chief operating officer, Landmark Cinemas. “The team at Christie is highly responsive. I can find the managers I need whenever I need them, and they’re always focused on meeting the unique requirements of each cinema.

“Christie’s commitment to the Canadian industry is superb as well; they’re at all the shows and all the conferences, and they give the same great service and attention to the independents as they do to the big chains. We also like it that they’re Canadian, so any technical support we might need is close at hand. We’ve completed dozens of Christie installations, both at Landmark and through our installation company, King Cinema Services, and the team is always satisfied with Christie.”

Landmark has committed to working with Christie’s Managed Services group in support of sourcing, integrating and testing hardware that enables Managed Services to remotely monitor and manage Landmark’s digital cinema projection environments. Included with the hardware will be Library Management Servers that hold the feature films, advertisements, trailers and other digital content for playing on multiple Landmark screens.

Campbell also commented on the importance of going digital to give guests the best available technical quality, particularly in terms of 3D and alternative content. And in smaller markets, digital theaters make it possible for local businesses to present on-screen advertisements easily; something that was rarely available to them with older projection technology.

Dave Muscat, senior director of sales, Christie Digital Systems Canada, Inc., says that Christie is committed to supporting the vibrant independent exhibitor sector with the same range of options available to the bigger chains, customized to meet their unique needs. “Our range of projector sizes, support options and the VPF program make it possible for cinemas in all markets to offer the superior picture and sound quality, and range of content and technical effects, that digital projection is making possible.”

Christie’s VPF program is supported by all the major Hollywood studios. It provides a customized, simplified plan, including financial support, for exhibitors seeking the greatest independence in making the move to DLP Cinema® compliant digital cinema projection systems. The program offers expert support and flexible options for all phases of the digital conversion process, including DCI Compliant digital projection systems, and Christie’s Network Operations Center (NOC) services, which offers 24/7 technical support across North America.

About Landmark Cinemas
Privately owned and operated since 1965, Landmark Cinemas of Canada Inc. is western Canada’s largest independent exhibitor. The partners who make up the ownership group of Landmark Cinemas have strong roots to film exhibition. Their passion for the movies trickles down through all of Landmark Cinemas’ 600+ employees. Landmark Cinemas of Canada operates 31 cinema complexes, with a combined total of 111 screens, in 28 locations in the four western provinces and the Yukon. For more information, visit http://www.landmarkcinemas.ca

About Christie®
Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc. is a global visual technologies company and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ushio, Inc., Japan, (JP:6925). Consistently setting the standards by being the first to market some of the world’s most advanced projectors and complete system displays, Christie is recognized as one of the most innovative visual technology companies in the world. From retail displays to Hollywood, mission critical command centers to classrooms and training simulators, Christie display solutions and projectors capture the attention of audiences around the world with dynamic and stunning images.