Helios, a leading exhibitor in Poland, and XDC, the n°1 digital cinema service company in Europe, have agreed on the deployment of digital cinema systems in 100 of Helios screens in Poland.

The agreement between Helios and XDC includes the roll out of DCI-compliant projection systems co-financed by the Virtual Print Fee (VPF) model. Rollout is scheduled to begin in 2010.

Tomasz Jagiello, President of Helios stated “We are very happy that we may participate in the scheme offered by major studios and developed by XDC, leading digital technology provider. Cooperation with XDC will let our company join the group of the most technologically advanced digital cinema network in Europe. Without this help and cooperation, Helios, currently managing 20 digital/3D screens, would not be able to achieve the highest level of quality development so fast. The agreement with XDC is considered by us both as business opportunity as well as honor and recognition of our work.”

Serge Plasch, XDC’s Chief Executive Officer said: “It’s for XDC a great honour to announce this VPF deal in Poland. Helios is a very dynamic exhibitor in this territory. This agreement demonstrates again that XDC is leading the digital cinema business in Europe. We are still the only company to have agreements with all the 6 Major US studios, including Warner Bros. Moreover, we are the only deploying entity to be able to offer a secured and no-risk financed solution through our agreement with BNP Paribas Fortis via a senior debt of 100 millions Euros.”

Under the terms of the agreement with XDC, Helios will exclusively install DCI-compliant digital projection systems. Helios will also implement a fully integrated and networked solution in each complex, thanks to XDC’s advanced Theatre Management System and Central Library, the XDC’s CineStore® Plaza. A content delivery network will also be implemented by XDC in order to allow distributors to deliver films directly by satellite and/or broadband connection to the cinemas, as well as to give the opportunity to Helios to perform live 2D and 3D transmissions.

All the systems will be connected to the XDC’s NOC (Network Operations Centre) which will perform the hotline support and the preventative remote maintenance. Thanks to the sophisticated XDC’s CineStore Data webbased application, the frontline support (with the possibility to have a full remote monitoring of the digital systems) will be directly managed by Digital Cinema Polska’s technical staff.

About XDC International
As far as today, XDC has installed more than 600 digital screens in 11 European countries and is the leading service company, dedicated to building a pan-European digital cinema network. XDC provides end-to-end digital cinema solutions including equipment supply, financing (VPF, leasing, …), training, installation and maintenance, as well as content processing and delivery. The company is the first entity to have VPF digital cinema deployment agreements with all the 6 major US studios Warner, Fox, Universal, Paramount, Sony and Disney for a total of 8,000 digital screens in 22 European countries. Besides its financing program with ING Lease, XDC has set up a global financing of 100 millions Euros with BNP Paribas Fortis Bank to allow the VPF roll out of 2,000 digital screens for its European deployment program. Today, XDC has signed VPF deals with exhibitors for more than 750 screens spread over European countries (Austria, Portugal, Belgium, The Netherlands, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland) and has received commitment for 250 screens from exhibitors in Germany, Switzerland and Spain.
XDC Digital Content Lab has been processing more than 600 different titles, and offers a full service including mastering, duplication, key management, 24/7 helpdesk, extranet tracking, physical/virtual delivery. Last but not least, XDC is also very active in Alternative Content by offering a full service from booking and promotion up to delivery, reporting and box office collection. XDC is a 47.2% subsidiary of EVS Broadcast Equipment (Nyse Euronext EVS.BR) and is supported by several leading financial investors. More info available at www.xdcinema.com.
XDC Marketing & Communication Department - Tel.: +32 4 364 12 00 - Email: marcom@xdcinema.com

About Helios
Helios Film Centre was founded in 1992 as a cinema exhibitor managing two traditional cinemas in Lodz. Today Helios is one of the leading cinema exhibitors in Poland with its market share over 23%, doubled for the last three years. Helios operates 26 cinemas in 24 cities running altogether 140 screens and 31 175 seats. Company is especially focused on development in middle-sized cities