As the movie theater industry's annual convention kicks off Monday in Las Vegas, the conversion to digital cinema is again on the agenda.

But this year, instead of more talk about digital's promising future, there actually will be an opportunity to assess its practical, real-world applications at ShoWest.

With technical specifications in hand, business models under development, studios coming aboard and theater circuits making plans, 2006 is shaping up as the year digital cinema finally is ready for its close-up. Just don't expect the rollout to take place overnight.

"After years of planning, developing technical specifications and considering business models, the digital-cinema revolution begins in 2006," said John Fithian, president of the National Assn. of Theater Owners. "All of those three components have come together, and deals are being negotiated now between theater companies and equipment and financial entities. It will take several years for this transition to occur, but 2006 certainly marks the beginning of the transition."

This is from a good article at ZDNet (thanks to my step-brother Matt for sending me the link). I'm very glad to see major theater chains and the major studios moving forward with this (they've got to do something to improve the theater experience, and this is a good start). The only people I'm sure that don't like this progress are the folks at Kodak.

Sorry Kodak, but, the times they are a changin'...
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9584_22-6048828.html?tag=zdfd.newsfeed

Very informative piece. Definitely take a moment to check it out.

-Blake

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