Home
About Us
What is Digital Cinema
DCP Via Satellite
Exhibitor Benefits
Content Provider Benefits
Track Record
Contact Us
 

LATEST NEWS

Quantum Digital to Broadcast Satellite Education Programme Live to UK Cinemas followed by Groundbreaking YouTube Series

Press release May 1st 2009

Quantum Digital, the leading supplier of satellite solutions to UK cinemas, will film and broadcast live via satellite a special presentation on 14th July from London, featuring key industry professionals, designed for cinema owners and distributors to understand how satellite technology is becoming increasingly adopted and how best to utilise it.

The broadcast will be available to satellite-equipped UK cinemas free-to-air as an industry awareness initiative. Anyone who is on-screen with a movie during the broadcast can watch via a TV. A special DVD of the presentation will also be made available, including an Information Pack. The programme will also be made available on YouTube.

Despite having the most widely deployed satellite system in the UK, with close to 100 cinemas equipped with professional 1.2m dishes, the presentation will take an impartial, agnostic view and explain what considerations need to be made even if taking a system and transmission from another provider.

Quantum's Marc John says: "It won't be an advert. It doesn't matter who you buy kit from, everything's interoperable. There are still fundamentals that need to be understood. Broadcasts sometimes run on systems supplied by Quantum without us being involved in the transmission, so it's a general refresher as well as a 'heads-up' for managers about a few things, particularly how to get ready for DCP delivery via satellite. I take so many calls. A nationwide link seemed practical, especially as live questions can be taken via SMS."

Quantum's unparalleled experience managing live broadcasts and direct relationship with exhibitors installing satellite systems, has provided unique and invaluable knowledge which can be shared to the benefit of all. "Managers and projectionists play a big role in the success of this. They discover things that not even the best manuals in the world can tell you. And no matter how much anyone knows about satellite, we still rely on local know-how when it comes to digital era sound and projection. The exchange of information around the country has been priceless since the satellite network launched in 2006."

The educational Satellite Education Programmes will be annual broadcasts, with a supplementary YouTube series - the first of its kind - to launch over the summer, to include video diaries of satellite site surveys and installations taking place, interviews with cinema managers and projectionists, along with in-depth projection room coverage showing how live and DCP content delivered via satellite is interfaced within the d-cinema set-up. Twitter will also be utilised to ensure the widest possible networking of information and dialogue.

For the exact timings, satellite co-ordinates or more information please contact:
Marc John marc@quantumdigital.co.uk or 07900 813605
www.quantumdigital.co.uk
www.twitter.com/dcpviasatellite

 

QUANTUM DIGITIAL SELECTED TO FILM AND BROADCAST WORLD'S FIRST "GREEN CARPET" PREMIERE FOR THE AGE OF STUPID FROM LEICESTER SQUARE LONDON TO OVER 60 CINEMAS AROUND UK

16 March 2009

Quantum Digital, the UK's leader in filming and broadcasting events being beamed to digital cinemas live-via-satellite, was proud to be selected by Spanner Films and UK indie distributor Dog Woof to coordinate the live filming and satellite broadcast of the world's first eco-friendly "green carpet" premiere for the documentary The Age of Stupid which was transmitted live to over 60 UK cinemas on Sunday 15 March. Quantum's project management also included providing technical support for all cinemas. This very special event received funding from the UK Film Council.

The 7-camera shoot captured all the build-up as the guests arrived on the green carpet en route to the specially erected solar powered tent for the premiere screening, as well as capturing the post-film Q&A which featured director Franny Armstrong and star Pete Postlethwaite.

The event marked the lastest in a growing number of live events produced by Quantum's Marc John for live broadcast to digital cinemas. Already this year Marc has worked with Oscar winners Meryl Streep and Danny Boyle, as well as screenwriter Peter Morgan and actor Michael Sheen, producing and broadcasting exclusive interviews beamed to cinemas around the UK. Quantum is also responsible for deploying and technically supporting the satellite installations for close to 100 cinemas in the UK, with close to fifty live events broadcast via satellite across the network since 2006. Marc's relationship with the Picturehouse independent cinema group in the UK has seen the most proactive strides taken in satellite broadcasting. Upgrades to the satellite network to include DCP delivery via satellite and live 3D broadcasts will soon be beta tested.

QUANTUM OFF TO A BUSY START IN 2009 WITH FIVE MAJOR EVENTS BROADCAST VIA SATELLITE TO CINEMAS

January 2009

Quantum's Marc John experiences busiest ever month in digital cinema since becoming involved in the industry in 2001, with five live satellite broadcasts managed in January alone. This included producing an exclusive interview with legendary actress Meryl Streep at London's prestigious BAFTA headquarters, beamed around the country to Picturehouse and independent cinemas, as well as producing and broadcasting Q&As with Peter Morgan and Danny Boyle, following previews of their highly acclaimed movies Frost/Nixon and Slumdog Millionaire respectively. Quantum's satellitte network business also grew during 2008, with close to 100 screens in the UK now equipped and technically supported by Quantum for live satellite broadcasts. Over forty live events have already been broadcast in cinemas via satellite since Marc John joined Picturehouse in March 2006 to spearhead digital development. 3D upgrades across the Picturehouse group is also now underway, with live 3D also a focus point.

SATELLITE LINKS AND LIVE PRODUCTION GROWS FOR QUANTUM

January 24 2008 - London

2007 saw a major expansion in the number of high definition satellite system installations coordinated and managed by Quantum's Marc John across UK cinemas, reaching almost forty sites by January 2008, including operators such as the Picturehouse chain, Cineworld and a range of major independent art houses; a total which now spans the full geographical range of the UK.

In addition, during the course of 2007, Marc John organised and produced over half a dozen film director Q&As, many filmed in London at Picturehouse sites including the Ritzy, Brixton and Notting Hill's famed Gate cinema, all beamed live via satellite across much of the satellite network. Directors involved included Oscar ® winners such as Quentin Tarantino and Ang Lee (Marc also as director), as well as notable British helmer Danny Boyle (Sunshine, Trainspotting) and newcomer Joe Wright (Atonement).

On December 9th 2007, from the Phoenix Picturehouse cinema in Oxford, Marc took the interviewer's chair for a live Conversation with His Dark Materials author Philip Pullman, to discuss the recent movie version of The Golden Compass as well as topics of mutual interest including spirituality, education and esoteric wisdom.

The event, titled A Conversation with Philip Pullman, was beamed live via satellite to Picturehouse cinemas nationwide and is now featured as a podcast MP3 audio download on The Times Online website

City Screen team up with the Metropolitan Opera for LIVE High Definition digital screenings from New York City via satellite of Mozart's
The Magic Flute on 30th December

London - November 21st 2006

City Screen Head of Digital Development Marc John commented: "This prestigious broadcast is perfect for the Picturehouse audience and marks another alternative content milestone for us. We're delighted to be the exclusive UK cinema partner with the world renowned Metropolitan Opera, and look forward to a fabulous, unique evening."

Read the full press release here (Word Doc - 32kb).

Live CINECAST of The Secret Policeman's Ball beamed via satellite from London's Royal Albert Hall to Picture House cinemas nation-wide!

London - October 16th 2006

Quantum's Marc John notched up another live event milestone on Saturday 14th October with the successful broadcasting of Amnesty International's Secret Policeman's Ball live via satellite to 17 UK cinemas.

In his role as City Screen's Head of Digital Development, John undertook the project management of installing a permanent high definition satellite network across the entire art house circuit, specifically to drive alternative programming.

See full press release

Marc John recruited by digital cinema leader DOREMI
for business development role in the UK

London - April 2006

Quantum's Marc John joins DCI endorsed JPEG2000 codec leaders DOREMI LABS to drive business development in the UK and co-ordinate equipment deployments. With offices in the USA, France and Japan and now the UK, DOREMI LABS were the first encoder and server company to win support from Hollywood for the digitisation of movies into the JPEG2000 format.

Complementing his alternative programming role at City Screen (see below), Marc John comments: "This is the perfect, additional post to take on. The different areas of the exhibition business I am now engaged with gives me a rounded appreciation for what's taking place, benefiting my respective tasks."

UK's leading independent cinema chain City Screen
recruits Marc John to deliver digital alternative programming

London - April 2006

Marc John is pleased to agree a consultancy post with City Screen to deliver a range of alternative programming, the specialist area he has developed since 2001. City Screen operate the Picture House chain of art house cinemas - and are part of the UK Film Council digital screen network.

After an 18-month break following the publication of Beaming David Bowie, Marc John returns to the cinema industry at a time when the digital revolution is at its fastest pace ever. "I couldn't escape the feeling that there was still something I could contribute to this whole digital concept, in terms of truly innovative programming," said Marc. "I couldn't walk away from it for good, so I'm excited to get back into it to see what might be possible."

Major New Book Explores Adventures in Digital Cinema

Click here for more information

Carlton Screen Advertising & Quantum Digital combine to take digital cinema into wi-fi land with Canon digital cameras!

Click here for more information

QUANTUM BRINGS HARD ROCK LEGENDS
AC/DC TO ODEON CINEMAS IN DTS 5.1 DIGITAL
SURROUNDSOUND!

Click here for more information

QUANTUM GOES EXTREME!

Click here for more information.

QUANTUM DIGITAL AND DAVID BOWIE BREAK NEW
GROUND WITH THE WORLD'S FIRST LIVE AND INTERACTIVE
MUSIC EVENT TO CINEMAS WORLDWIDE

Click here for more information.

SONY MUSIC AND MELISSA ETHERIDGE TAKE QUANTUM LEAP INTO DIGITAL CINEMA LIVE AND INTERACTIVE ACROSS GERMANY AND HOLLAND

Click here for more information.

QUANTUM DIGITAL SUCCESSFULLY ORGANISES BIG
SCREEN WORLD CUP MATCHES FOR ODEON CINEMAS!

Click here for press coverage.

DIGITAL CINEMA FESTIVAL

Quantum Digital successfully programmes high definition POP, OPERA, BALLET, BROADWAY MUSICALS and KIDS ENTERTAINMENT for the ODEON DIGITAL FESTIVAL that ran April 5-18 at four Odeon cinemas across the UK.

Click here for the festival details (PDF - Acrobat Viewer required - 160k), including photos and content biographies - keeping Quantum Digital at the forefront of digital cinema content provision, licensing, technology integration and market innovation.

ODEON DIGITAL CINEMA - THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA

Odeon and Quantum Digital have signed a historic deal which will bring digital cinema into the mainstream, making it an every day reality for the UK public.

Following the recent success of the digital presentation of the Stephen Sondheim Broadway musical hit "Putting It Together", at the Odeon Leicester Square, Odeon and Quantum, under the banner "Odeon Digital Cinema", are planning to host digital cinema events across the country during 2002. Using digital technology, a whole host of exciting events are being planned to incorporate a wide variety of programming, including musicals, pop concerts, major sporting events and children's entertainment.

More...