Kodak, NCM developing digital theater software

LOS ANGELES: - Kodak Digital Cinema and National CineMedia LLC, a partnership of the three top U.S. movie theater chains, on Wednesday said they are developing theater management software to automate digital cinema systems now being installed at movie theaters worldwide.

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 theaters.

The existing system will be modified to also handle digital feature film presentations, said Bob Mayson, general manager of Kodak Digital Motion Imaging.

Kodak's operating system is designed to operate with all digital projectors and playback systems, Mayson said.

"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 plan 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, Mayson said.

NCM partners AMC Entertainment Inc, Cinemark USA and Regal Entertainment Group have not committed to installing the system on their 13,000 screens, Mayson said.