KT launching cinema service

KT launching cinema service

KT Corp., the country's largest fixed-line and broadband operator, said yesterday that it will soon start trials of a digital cinema service.

The company concluded memoranda of understanding with three major multiplex operators, Lotte Cinema, Cinus and MMC.

"Digital cinema is something that KT can best take advantage of with its network and solution technologies. KT will not spare investment in and support for the movie industry," said Chae Jong-jin, head of KT's solution business.

Digital cinema refers to the use of digital technology to distribute and project motion pictures. Digitally-made film files are first stored on computer servers, and then relayed to digital projectors via optical telecom networks.

KT plans to set up related equipment and operate integrated management systems on 100 screens by the end of this year.

The company plans to expand its digital cinema service to nearly 500 screens by 2007, or around 30 percent of the country's 1,600 screens.

"We had some challenges transforming digitally-made films into the analogue mode. But through this digital cinema service, the quality of original films will be preserved while being digitally transmitted and projected," KT said in a statement.

Experts say that distributors at home and abroad will prefer digital distribution, rather than the costly analogue-based methods.

It usually costs between 2 million to 3 million won per theater to transform digital films for analogue screens.

(siyoungh@heraldm.com)

By Hwang Si-young

2006.09.19