XDC News

XDC News http://www.xdcinema.com/news/index.phtml News from XDC Globule Bleu Hugues Lismonde <hugues@globulebleu.com> http://www.xdcinema.com/news/2010/07/XDC-FTT-and-Cineplex-Agree-on-Deploymentvof-451-Digital-Screens-in-Germany XDC/FTT and Cineplex Agree on Deploymentvof 451 Digital Screens in Germany Cineplex, one of the large German cinema circuits, and the Belgian VPF service provider XDC agreed on the conditions of a digital roll-out of the 451 Cineplex screens. The German integrator FTT played an important role in the pre-negotiations and will also carry out a large part of the installations.The agreement between Cineplex and XDC includes the roll out of DCI-compliant projection systems cofinanced by the Virtual Print Fee (VPF) model and using the financing solution proposed by XDC via the credit facility structured by BNP Paribas Fortis.Kim Ludolf Koch, Managing Director of Cineplex Deutschland said: “After careful consideration and negotiations the 35 shareholders of Cineplex group, we decided to complete the digital deployment on a large scale and with the most experienced partner in VPF services in Germany. As an association of numerous familyrun businesses we are placing particularly high demands on our partner as far as flexibility is concerned. With XDC we were able to depict our various individual requirements and demands as precisely as possible“.Serge Plasch, XDC’s CEO, said:"We are delighted that, with Cineplex group, we were also able to win the third major German cinema circuit and, consequently, could make an important step towards the digital roll-out in Germany. The fact that we could catch on with our business proposal against other VPF providers in this highly competitive preliminary decision once again underlines the quality of our model.“Thomas Rüttgers, FTT’s Chairman of the Board of Management, added:“It was vital for our co-operation with XDC and Cineplex that we could do our bit acting as an intermediary in this issue. We think that this is a clear signal to the market that VPF models will become further established in Germany.”Under the terms of the agreement with XDC, Cineplex will exclusively install Series 2 DCI-compliant digital projection systems. Cineplex will also implement a fully integrated and networked solution within the cinema circuit, 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 Cineplex 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 FTT, which will also take care of most of the installations and maintenance.About XDC InternationalXDC is the n°1 digital cinema company in Europe wit h more than 1.350 committed digital screens out of which 50% have already been deployed. XDC HQ is based in Liege (Belgium) and provides end-toend digital cinema solutions including equipment supply, financing (VPF, leasing, etc), training, installation and 24/7 maintenance, as well as content processing and delivery. The company is the first entity to have VPF digital cinema deployment agreements with all 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 million Euro with a bank consortium led by BNP Paribas Fortis to allow the VPF roll out of 2,000 digital screens for its European deployment program. 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.The main shareholders are EVS Broadcast Equipment (www.evs-global.com) (Euronext Brussels: EVS, Bloomberg: EVS BB, Reuters: EVSB.BR), GIMV (www.gimv.com) (Euronext Brussels: GIMB, Bloomberg: GIMB BB, Reuters: GIMV.BR) and SRIW (www.sriw.be).More info available at www.xdcinema.com.XDC Marketing & Communication Department - Tel.: +32 4 364 12 00 - Email: marcom@xdcinema.comAbout CineplexCineplex group is an association of independent medium-sized cinemas that decided to act jointly in important business segments in the middle of the nineteen-nineties. With around 450 screens in over 80 cinemas and 60 cities in which just under 20 million visitors are entertained each year, Cineplex group ranges among the largest players in the German cinema market. Cineplex combines the advantages of regionally established family-run companies with those of a large group. The lean head office in Wuppertal pools the demand of its shareholders, e.g. as far as purchasing, marketing, technology, cooperation management, representing of interests, are concerned.More info available at www.Cineplex.deBoard of Management Cineplex Deutschland: Phone: +49-202-51570100, Email: Cineplex-Deutschland@Cineplex.deAbout Film Ton Technik (FTT)FILM-TON-TECHNIK Hannsdieter Rüttgers GmbH (FTT) is based in Düsseldorf. As a cinema service provider with 50 years of experience FTT has already implemented a large number of projects for multiplexes and independent cinemas in Germany and abroad and has got subsidiaries in Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Poland and the Netherlands. Apart from project planning as well as selling and installing traditional 35mm technology FTT has been active in the field of digital cinema and electronic advertising for more than 7 years and established itself as a system integrator.For further information see www.ftt-online.deFTT Marketing & Communication Department - Phone: +49 (0) 211 - 30 20 51 – 0 -Email: office@ftt-online.de XDC s.a. XDC s.a. <xdc@xdcinema.com> XDC,FTT,Cineplex,Germany 2010-07-19T09:08:07+02:00 http://www.xdcinema.com/news/2010/07/XDC-FTT-and-Kinopolis-Cinema-Group-Basically-Agreed-To-Deploy-123-Digital-Screens-in-Germany XDC/FTT and Kinopolis Cinema Group Basically Agreed To Deploy 123 Digital Screens in Germany Kinopolis, a renowned German exhibitor, XDC, the n°1 digital cinema service company in Europe and FTT, the leading digital cinema service provider in Germany, have basically agreed on the terms for a deployment of 123 digital cinema systems at 15 cinemas.Dr. Gregory Theile, Managing Partner of Kinopolis, said: “We are delighted to have found in XDC/FTT a competent, experienced and reliable partner for the conversion of our cinemas to digital cinema. The model offered by XDC represents the best solution in the market as far as our particular requirements are concerned and so we explicitly opted for this long-standing partnership. As the first cinema circuit in Germany, we are setting the course for the digital future of the cinema by consistently equipping our cinemas with digital projection systems. The installations will already start this year and will be completed by the end of next year.“Serge Plasch, XDC’s Chief Executive Officer said: “After Kieft Group, having this second major VPF deal in Germany is for XDC a very important milestone, since Germany has always been a key market in our strategy. Kinopolis is a much respected exhibition circuit and we are very proud to have been selected for their digital roll out plan. This agreement also demonstrates the solidity of our business model which is the only one able to offer agreement with all the 6 majors US studios, easy available financing and advanced knowledge in digital cinema technology. Moreover, this new deal results of the perfect integration and cooperation with FTT which has now the most comprehensive experience in digital cinema in Germany.’’Egon Gräfen, FTT’s Managing Director added: “Kinopolis has already been among our major customers for a long time. We are therefore very proud that they have chosen us as their technical integrator and that we will also be able to continue our longstanding business relationship in the digital era.”Under the terms of the agreement with XDC, Kinopolis will exclusively install Series 2 DCI-compliant digital projection systems. Kinopolis 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 Kinopolis 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 FTT, which will also take care of the installations and maintenance.About XDC InternationalXDC is the n°1 digital cinema company in Europe with more than 1,500 committed digital screens out of which 50% have already been deployed. XDC HQ is based in Liege (Belgium) and provides end-to-end digital cinema solutions including equipment supply, financing (VPF, leasing, …), training, installation and 24/7 maintenance, as well as content processing and delivery. The company is the first entity to have VPF digital cinema deployment agreements with all 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 a bank consortium led by BNP Paribas Fortis to allow the VPF roll out of 2,000 digital screens for its European deployment program. XDC Digital Content Lab has been processing hundreds of 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. The main shareholders are EVS Broadcast Equipment (Euronext Brussels: EVS, Bloomberg: EVS BB, Reuters: EVSB.BR) (www.evs-global.com), GIMV (Euronext Brussels: GIMB, Bloomberg: GIMB BB, Reuters: GIMV.BR) (www.gimv.com) and SRIW (www.sriw.be).More info available at www.xdcinema.com.XDC Marketing & Communication Department - Tel.: +32 4 364 12 00 - Email: marcom@xdcinema.comAbout KinopolisKinopolis is one of the leading German cinema circuits. The family-business which is meanwhile run in its 4th generation has been operating cinemas for 105 years and herewith ranges among the old-established cinema enterprises in Germany. In total, the group operates 123 screens at 15 sites. The scope of business of the Darmstadt-based company ranges from an award-winning arthouse cinema to the most frequented multiplex cinema in Germany, the Mathäser Filmpalast in Munich.For further information see: www.kinopolis.deKinopolis Marketing & Communication Department: : - Tel: +49 89 51 56 53 53 - Email: kschalk@kinopolis.deAbout Film Ton Technik (FTT)FILM-TON-TECHNIK Hannsdieter Rüttgers GmbH (FTT) is based in Düsseldorf. As a cinema service provider with 50 years of experience FTT has already implemented a large number of projects for multiplexes and independent cinemas in Germany and abroad and has got subsidiaries in Austria, Hungary, Poland and the Netherlands. Apart from project planning as well as selling and installing traditional 35mm technology FTT has been active in the field of digital cinema and electronic advertising for more than 7 years and established itself as a system integrator.For further information see www.ftt-online.deFTT Marketing & Communication Department - Phone: +49 (0) 211 - 30 20 51 – 0 -Email: office@ftt-online.de XDC s.a. XDC s.a. <xdc@xdcinema.com> XDC,FTT,Kinopolis 2010-07-08T08:53:21+02:00 http://www.xdcinema.com/news/2010/06/DCP-Germany-and-XDC-Agree-On-Cooperation-And-Join-In-Their-Efforts-to-Promote-Digital-Cinema DCP-Germany and XDC Agree On Cooperation And Join In Their Efforts to Promote Digital Cinema XDC, the number one digital cinema service company in Europe and Digital Content Portal Germany, IT service provider for digital cinema data logistics and automation, have agreed on cooperation. XDC and DCP-Germany agreed, that the prospects of cooperation promise added value to both of them as well as being beneficial to the industry. As a first step the development teams will provide basic compatibility of their systems in time when the DCPG data centre goes on line in July 2010. A roadmap is being developed for further integration of XDC's screen and theatre management systems and DCPG's comprehensive automation of distribution, verification, allocation and tracking of digital content.“We will actively support DCP-Germany's initiative on the market and make sure that our customers can use the features provided by DCP-Germany's system with their XDC Solo SMS or XDC Plaza TMS”, says Jérôme DELVAUX, Vice President Technology at XDC. “Our solutions complement one another and will make digital cinema even easier to adopt and to operate.”DCP-Germany, among whose shareholder are a daughter of the Association of German Movie Theaters (HDF Kino e.V.) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, is a neutral service provider. The company helps distributors, post production and advertisers to distribute digital content and receive feedback on screening through elaborate logging functions. Automation helps exhibitors to plan their shows including all kinds of pre-show content. DCPG manages and validates all digital content, KDMs (key delivery messages) and screen certificates that pass her data centre.“In order to make our content portal available for XDC systems we’ve developed together a connector and we are now up-to-speed to fully integrate the solutions”, says Richard Kummeth, Managing Director of DCP-Germany. “It is our mission to make digital cinema more reliable and easier to manage and control. The service is available for all providers of digital content and continuous development efforts make sure we have interfaces to all cinema systems. We are happy, that with XDC one of most important promoters of digital cinema supports us. I'm positive that out development teams will expeditiously implement such features as automatic play-list creation, KDM-management and logging for theatres that use XDC-systems.”About XDCXDC is the number one digital cinema company in Europe with more than 1,500 committed digital screens out of which 50% have already been deployed. XDC HQ is based in Liege (Belgium) and provides end-to-end digital cinema solutions including equipment supply, financing (VPF, leasing, …), training, installation and 24/7 maintenance, as well as content processing and delivery. The company is the first entity to have VPF digital cinema deployment agreements with all 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 a bank consortium led by BNP Paribas Fortis to allow the VPF roll out of 2,000 digital screens for its European deployment program. XDC Digital Content Lab has been processing hundreds of 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.The main shareholders are EVS Broadcast Equipment (Euronext Brussels: EVS, Bloomberg: EVS BB, Reuters: EVSB.BR) (www.evs-global.com), GIMV (Euronext Brussels: GIMB, Bloomberg: GIMB BB, Reuters: GIMV.BR) (www.gimv.com) and SRIW (www.sriw.be).More info available at www.xdcinema.com.XDC Marketing & Communication DepartmentPhone: +32 (0) 4 - 3 64 12 00E-mail: marcom@xdcinema.comAbout DCP Germany:Digital Content Portal Germany GmbH is an IT service provider for the movie industry. DCP Germany offers distribution, validation, assignment and analysis of digital film content as well as the collection, validation and distribution of digital keys for distributors, post production firms and advertisers. The validation of data and certificates takes place in collaboration with Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS. DCP-Germany was established in September 2009 in Munich, the data center is located in Nuremberg. Presently Shareholders are: FORUM FILM Mediengesellschaft mbH - a 100% daughter of the HDF Kino e. V. - with a share of 60% and Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS and Richard Kummeth with 20% each. Further participations are in preparation.Press Contacts:XDC: Serge PlaschTel:+32 4 364 12 03; Email: spl@xdcinema.comDCP-Germany: Richard KummethTel:+49 89-2729 36 0; Email: kummeth@dcp-germany.de XDC s.a. XDC s.a. <xdc@xdcinema.com> DCP Germany,XDC 2010-06-20T09:51:12+02:00 http://www.xdcinema.com/news/2010/05/XDC-has-begun-utilising-a-EUR-100-million-credit-facility-to-finance-the-rollout-of-digital-cinema-in-Europe- XDC has begun utilising a EUR 100 million credit facility to finance the rollout of digital cinema in Europe. XDCEIBKBCBNP Paribas FortisBrussels/Liège/Luxembourg, 21 May 2010XDC has begun utilising a EUR 100 million credit facility to finance the rollout of digital cinema in Europe. The loan, consisting of two tranches of EUR 50 million, has been structured by BNP Paribas Fortis with the participation of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and KBC Bank. XDC has fulfilled all the conditions required in order to proceed with the first drawdown of this loan facility on 21 May 2010 The first tranche will be used initially for the rollout of digital systems at Belgian exhibitors. It will then be used for several digital installations, already planned for the next few weeks, in other countries such as Germany, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia.This loan is the first important project finance deal in the European digital cinema industry. It is largely covered by insurance provided by the Belgian Export Credit Agency (ONDD) for 22 European countries."Finally, this is the tangible result of 18 months of intensive cooperation between XDC, the three banks and six major Hollywood studios," said Serge Plasch, XDC’s CEO. "With this loan we will now in practical terms be able to finance more than 2,000 screens across Europe."About XDC:XDC is the number one digital cinema company in Europe with more than 1.500 committed digital screens, 50% of which have already been deployed. XDC HQ is based in Liege (Belgium) and provides end-to-end digital cinema solutions, including equipment supply, financing (VPF, leasing, etc), training, installation and 24/7 maintenance, as well as content processing and delivery. The company is the first entity to have VPF digital cinema deployment agreements with all six major US studios – Warner, Fox, Universal, Paramount, Sony and Disney – involving a total of8,000 digital screens in 22 European countries. XDC Digital Content Lab has processed more than 600 titles, and offers a full service including mastering, duplication, key management, 24/7 help desk, extranet tracking and physical/virtual delivery. XDC is also very active in alternative content by offering a full service from booking and promotion to delivery, reporting and box office collection.Press contacts:ContactTelephone numberE-mail addressBNP Paribas FortisPress office+32 2 565 35 84pressbnpparibasfortis@bnpparibasfortis.comEIBSabine Parisse+352 437 983 340s.parisse@eib.orgKBCStef Leunens+ 32 2 429 65 01pressofficekbc@kbc.beXDCSerge Plasch+32 4 364 12 06spl@xdcinema.com XDC s.a. XDC s.a. <xdc@xdcinema.com> XDC 2010-05-21T17:51:39+02:00 http://www.xdcinema.com/news/2010/04/XDC-Appoints-Alexandre-Weiser-As-Content-Services-Sales-Director XDC Appoints Alexandre Weiser As Content Services Sales Director From April 2010, Alexandre Weiser joins XDC, the n°1 digital cinema company in Europe, to develop the Content Services activity.Alexandre Weiser is Belgian and has a culturally diverse technical and operational background. He graduated as a sound engineer from INSAS (Institut National Supérieur des Arts du Spectacle), Belgian national film school in 1998 and recently completed an MBA program at CBS (Copenhagen Business School).Alexandre spent the early part of his career working as a sound engineer on live events and in music recording studios. In the late nineties he moved to Paris and joined Dubbing-Brothers where he acquired extensive experience in the language localization industry. In 2004, Alexandre became part of SDI Media Group, based in Los Angeles, as Director of Dubbing Technology. Besides operating the Los Angeles sound studios, his duties also included standardizing equipment and practices within this fast growing global organization and setting up the digital delivery network between more than 20 facilities. In early 2008, Alexandre relocated to Copenhagen as Director of European Operations after SDI Media acquired Sun Studio with presences in 8 European countries.Alexandre Weiser, Content Services Sales Director of XDC, said: “I’m pleased to take on my new role at XDC, and join the exciting digital cinema industry. I will focus on growing the XDC Content Lab services business targeting the major Hollywood studios and the European movie producers, sales agents and distributors. To do so, I will benefit from XDC’s extensive experience, highly-skilled staff, top-notch equipment and proprietary tools designed to streamline the process.”Fabrice Testa, Vice President Sales & Business Development of XDC, concluded: “It’s a pleasure to get in my team a well-rounded person like Alexandre Weiser. His background in the cinema industry and the already wellestablished contacts that he has within the business are valuable assets to develop the XDC Digital Content Lab activities. XDC Lab is working for a lot of distributors including some major ones, and we are appreciated for the high quality work as well as the numerous extras that only a global company like XDC can offer. I’m sure that with Alexandre on board, we will now be able to convince many others to cooperate with us.”Alexandre Weiser - +33686508373 – awe@xdcinema.comAbout XDC InternationalXDC is the n°1 digital cinema company in Europe with more than 1.500 committed digital screens out of which 50% have already been deployed. XDC HQ is based in Liege (Belgium) and provides end-to-end digital cinema solutions including equipment supply, financing (VPF, leasing, …), training, installation and 24/7 maintenance, as well as content processing and delivery. The company is the first entity to have VPF digital cinema deployment agreements with all 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 a bank consortium led by BNP Paribas Fortis to allow the VPF roll out of 2,000 digital screens for its European deployment program. 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. The main shareholders are EVS Broadcast Equipment (Euronext Brussels: EVS, Bloomberg: EVS BB, Reuters: EVSB.BR) (www.evs-global.com), GIMV (Euronext Brussels: GIMB, Bloomberg: GIMB BB, Reuters: GIMV.BR) (www.gimv.com) and SRIW (www.sriw.be).More info available at www.xdcinema.com.XDC Marketing & Communication DepartmentPhone: +32 (0) 4 - 3 64 12 00E-mail: marcom@xdcinema.com XDC s.a. XDC s.a. <xdc@xdcinema.com> XDC sales director,content service 2010-04-23T09:33:32+02:00 http://www.xdcinema.com/news/2010/04/Kieft-Gruppe-to-close-VPF-deal-with-XDC-and-FTT Kieft-Gruppe to close VPF deal with XDC and FTT Düsseldorf / Liège, April 13th, 2010 – As the first circuit in the German-speaking countries Kieft & Kieft + Partner group enters into a VPF agreement to deploy 150 digital screens in Germany, Switzerland and Czech Republic.For several years already, VPF has been an important topic when it comes to a digital rollout in cinemas. Especially in Germany, however, the VPF train hardly gained momentum. Although XDC managed to surpass the threshold of 100 committed screens, none of the large German cinema circuits opted for a VPF solution with a third party financing partner for the time being. Now, Kieft & Kieft + Partner group has decided in favour of this very model as the first group acting on a national and international scale.For Serge Plasch, CEO of XDC, these latest developments are very positive:“&bdquo; Of course, we are delighted that one of the large cinema circuits in Germany and Switzerland now finally is among our partners as we already succeeded in entering into agreements with large groups in other European countries as e. g. in Austria and Portugal.”The decision in favour of XDC was partly boosted by the fact that FTT had already installed digital cinema equipment including 3D at several sites of Kieft group e.g. in Hildesheim, Iserlohn, Schwerin as well as Prague, Plzen and Lugano last year. Heiner Kieft, Managing Director of Kieft & Kieft + Partner group, said: “The successful completion of our testing phase and the smooth co-operation with FTT at that time were definitely crucial for our decision in favour of FTT / XDC.”Thomas Rüttgers, FTT‘s Chairman of the Board of Management, is also optimistic about continuing this co-operation: “We think that we have put together a good service package for the digital age, and we are of course very pleased that we could convince another group of our service qualities in the long term.”The starting signal for the digital rollout will be given in the fourth quarter of 2010. In this context, Christie projectors of the new Solaria series, XDC Solo G3 servers as well as XDC’s Theatre Management system will be installed.About Film Ton Technik (FTT)FILM-TON-TECHNIK Hannsdieter Rüttgers GmbH (FTT) is based in Düsseldorf. As a cinema service provider with 50 years of experience FTT has already implemented a large number of projects for multiplexes and independent cinemas in Germany and abroad and has got subsidiaries in Austria, Hungary, Poland and the Netherlands. Apart from project planning as well as selling and installing traditional 35mm technology FTT has been active in the field of digital cinema and electronic advertising for more than 7 years and established itself as a system integrator. For further information see www.ftt-online.deContact:Angela Bünger, Public Relations OfficerPhone: +49 (0) 211 - 30 20 51 - 10E-mail: buenger@ftt-online.deAbout Kieft & Kieft + Partner groupKieft & Kieft + Partner cinema group runs cinemas at 28 sites in Czech Republic, Croatia, Switzerland and Germany. The group comprises:FTB Filmtheaterbetriebsgesellschaft mbH, Hildesheim, GermanyCineStar-Der Filmpalast Lüneburg GmbH, Lüneburg, GermanyKnode & Partner Filmtheaterbetriebe GmbH, Iserlohn, GermanyKieft & Kieft Filmtheater Sachsen GmbH, various sites, GermanyCapitol Kino Schwerin GmbH, Schwerin, GermanyCineStar Prag s.r.o., Czech RepublicBlitz-CineStar d.o.o., CroatiaCineStar SA Lugano, SwitzerlandContact:Heiner Kieft, Managing DirectorPhone: +49 (0) 2331- 78 01 - 14About XDCXDC is the European leader for Digital Cinema technology and services in Europe with more than 1.350 committed digital screens in 11 European countries (Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Austria, Portugal, Belgium, The Netherlands, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland) out of which 50% have already been deployed. XDC HQ is based in Liege (Belgium) and provides end-to-end digital cinema solutions including equipment supply, financing (VPF, leasing, etc.), training, installation and 24/7 maintenance, as well as content processing and delivery. The company is the first entity to have VPF digital cinema deployment agreements with all 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 million euros with a bank consortium led by BNP Paribas Fortis to allow the VPF roll out of 2,000 digital screens for its European deployment program. 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. For further information see www.xdcinema.com.Contact:Marketing & Communication Department XDCPhone: +32 (0) 4 - 3 64 12 00E-mail: marcom@xdcinema.com XDC s.a. XDC s.a. <xdc@xdcinema.com> FTT,XDC,Kieft-Gruppe 2010-04-13T09:17:22+02:00 http://www.xdcinema.com/news/2010/03/Hollywood-Megaplex-and-XDC-Agree-To-Deploy-40-Digital-Screens-in-Austria Hollywood Megaplex and XDC Agree To Deploy 40 Digital Screens in Austria Hollywood Megaplex, one of the leading exhibitors in Austria, and XDC, the n°1 digital cinema service company in Europe, have agreed on the deployment of 40 digital cinema systems in 4 cinemas.The agreement between Hollywood Megaplex and XDC includes the roll out of DCI-compliant projection systems co-financed by the Virtual Print Fee (VPF) model.Ingrid and Heinz Hueber, Managing Director of the “Hollywood Megaplex”-group, stated: “We made the decision for XDC because they offered the most comfortable solution for our cinemas. With the help of XDC we will install Christie projectors. We already worked successfully with their products for the past years. Their Series 2 projectors will finally take us to the future.”Serge Plasch, XDC’s Chief Executive Officer said:said:”Hollywood Megaplex has been working with XDC since more than 3 years, after a successful experience using one or two digital systems per complex it is now time to move to the next phase. We are very happy to be in charge of the complete 100% roll out. This plan will be executed as soon as the new Series 2 projectors will be delivered. Here again the XDC VPF proposal appeared to be the best solution for a fast and easy digital roll out ’’.Under the terms of the agreement with XDC, Hollywood Megaplex will exclusively install Series 2 DCI-compliant digital projection systems. Hollywood Megaplex 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 Hollywood Megaplex 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 FTT, which will also take care of the installations and maintenance.About XDC International XDC is the n°1 digital cinema company in Europe with more than 1.350 committed digital screens out of which 50% have already been deployed. XDC HQ is based in Liege (Belgium) and provides end-to-end digital cinema solutions including equipment supply, financing (VPF, leasing, etc.), training, installation and 24/7 maintenance, as well as content processing and delivery. The company is the first entity to have VPF digital cinema deployment agreements with all 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 a bank consortium led by BNP Paribas Fortis to allow the VPF roll out of 2,000 digital screens for its European deployment program. 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.The main shareholders are EVS Broadcast Equipment (Euronext Brussels: EVS, Bloomberg: EVS BB, Reuters: EVSB.BR) (www.evs-global.com), GIMV (Euronext Brussels: GIMB, Bloomberg: GIMB BB, Reuters: GIMV.BR) (www.gimv.com) and SRIW (www.sriw.be).More info available at www.xdcinema.com.XDC Marketing & Communication Department - Tel.: +32 4 364 12 00 - Email: marcom@xdcinema.comAbout Hollywood MegaplexThe cinema – revolution began 1995 in Pasching/Linz: 12 screens and 2666 seats in a building of 11,000m2. More than 900 m2 screens, luxery armchairs and “lover – chairs” for two with optimum row distance and stadium seating. All cinemas fully air conditioned, the most modern technology (the first cinema worldwide with SCS – Sony Cinema Stereo and the first cinema in Austria with SDDS – Sony Dynamic Digital Sound System in 8 channel digital sound), since 1999 also equipped with DTS – ES (Sound Wall – Digital Theatre Sound – Expanded Surround System). The newest technologies installed since October 2005: DIGITAL CINEMA. In October 2007 the first 3D – unit was installed and encreased up to now five 3D – screens.1997 Hollywood Megaplex Sankt Poelten opened (8 screens, 1740 seats, one 3D - screen), 1999 Hollywood Megaplex Shopping Center Nord in Vienna (8 screens, 2070 seats, one 3D - screen) and 2001 Hollywood Megaplex Gasometer in Vienna (12 screens, 2848 seats, two 3D - screens).The Hollywood Megaplex Group offers the numerous visitors (2009 over 1.5 million) best service and the wide range of films in perfect quality.More info available at www.megaplex.atHollywood Megaplex Marketing – Email: marketing@megaplex.at XDC s.a. XDC s.a. <xdc@xdcinema.com> Austria,Hollywood Megaplex,XDC 2010-03-12T08:28:38+01:00 http://www.xdcinema.com/news/2010/03/SmartJog-and-XDC-sign-non-exclusive-agreement-to-install-digital-delivery-and-storage-solutions-in-cinemas SmartJog and XDC sign non-exclusive agreement to install digital delivery and storage solutions in cinemas  Paris, France and Liège, Belgium (March 11, 2010)SmartJog, a digital delivery service provider, and XDC, adigital cinema deployment company, announced today, that they have signed a non-exclusive partnershipagreement.XDC will offer the SmartJog solution to exhibitors under contract with them, as part of their portfolio of servicesincluding electronic distribution and storage of content.Exhibitors who are part of the XDC network will have the possibility to deploy the SmartJog Central Library Serversfor the electronic reception and storage of DCPs (Digital Cinema Packages) into their cinemas. SmartJog’s andXDC’s equipment will be integrated to provide exhibitors a complete solution for the management of content withintheir cinemas.In addition, XDC and SmartJog have linked a digital distribution partnership agreement enabling XDC to use theSmartJog digital delivery platform to deliver DCPs to cinemas under contract with XDC but also to any connectedcinemas to the SmartJog network in Europe. From XDC’s Mastering Facility in Liège, which is equipped with aSmartJog system, XDC will be able to securely transmit mastered content to over 160 cinemas already connectedto the SmartJog digital cinema network.“After an initial phase of testing, we have decided to broaden our service offering to include the SmartJog solution.Our cinema customers will have the possibility to receive digital cinema content via SmartJog and our XDC DigitalContent Lab will also offer to theatrical distributors a digital delivery service to all cinemas connected to theSmartJog network.” says Fabrice Testa, Vice President Sales & Business Development of XDC.Initially, XDC will propose the SmartJog solution to exhibitors in Belgium. The digital delivery service offered byXDC Digital Content Lab will be available globally. “SmartJog is thrilled about this agreement as our XDC & SmartJog services complement each other, allowingdistributors and exhibitors to benefit from an integrated and complete solution for content distribution and storage,”says Nicolas Dussert, European Theatrical Sales Director for SmartJog.About SmartJoghttp://www.smartjog.com/SmartJog, a TDF subsidiary and the global leader in digital delivery with presence in 65 countries, offers a fully manageddistribution and file transfer platform for the secure, fast, and reliable digital delivery of content. SmartJog is the trusted partnerfor the global exchange of all the Hollywood Studios’ most critical content. SmartJog’s digital cinema solutions provide acentralized place for clients’ digital cinema needs, including distribution, localization, storage, and asset management of DigitalCinema Packages. The SmartJog technology and satellite platform is at the core of TDF's digital cinema strategy and SmartJogworks closely with the other TDF's subsidiaries to expand the service to 9 other European countries. SmartJog currently hasover 160 cinema sites and more than 800 digital screens connected in Europe.About XDC Internationalhttp://www.xdcinema.com//XDC is the n°1 digital cinema company in Europe with more than 1.350 committed digital screens out of which 50% have alreadybeen deployed. XDC HQ is based in Liege (Belgium) and provides end-to-end digital cinema solutions including equipmentsupply, financing (VPF, leasing, etc.), training, installation and 24/7 maintenance, as well as content processing and delivery.The company is the first entity to have VPF digital cinema deployment agreements with all 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 financingprogram with ING Lease, XDC has set up a global financing of 100 millions Euros with a bank consortium led by BNP ParibasFortis to allow the VPF roll out of 2,000 digital screens for its European deployment program. XDC Digital Content Lab has beenprocessing more than 600 different titles, and offers a full service including mastering, duplication, key management, 24/7helpdesk, extranet tracking, physical/virtual delivery. Last but not least, XDC is also very active in Alternative Content by offeringa full service from booking and promotion up to delivery, reporting and box office collection.The main shareholders are EVS Broadcast Equipment (Euronext Brussels: EVS, Bloomberg: EVS BB, Reuters: EVSB.BR)(http://www.evs-global.com/), GIMV (Euronext Brussels: GIMB, Bloomberg: GIMB BB, Reuters: GIMV.BR) (http://www.gimv.com/) and SRIW(www.sriw.be) . SmartJogAbby LestitionEmail: Abby.lestition@smartjog.comTel: 310-315-9350 XDCMarketing and Communication DepartmentE-mail: marcom@xdcinema.comTel: +32 4 364 12 00 XDC s.a. XDC s.a. <xdc@xdcinema.com> delivery solution,storage solution,XDC contract 2010-03-11T16:26:52+01:00 http://www.xdcinema.com/news/2010/02/Jogchem---s-Theaters-B-V--and-XDC-Agree-To-Deploy-60-Digital-Screens-in-The-Netherlands Jogchem’s Theaters B.V. and XDC Agree To Deploy 60 Digital Screens in The Netherlands Jogchem’s Theaters B.V. (in the market known as JT Bioscopen), one of the leading exhibitors in The Netherlands, and XDC, the n°1 digital cinema service company in Europe, have agreed on the deployment of digital cinema systems in all of JT’s screens in The Netherlands.The agreement between JT Bioscopen and XDC includes the roll out of DCI-compliant projection systems cofinanced by the Virtual Print Fee (VPF) model. Roll out is scheduled to begin in H1 2010.Exhibitors who are part of the XDC network will have the possibility to deploy the SmartJog Central Library Servers for the electronic reception and storage of DCPs (Digital Cinema Packages) into their cinemas. SmartJog’s and XDC’s equipment will be integrated to provide exhibitors a complete solution for the management of content within their cinemas.Mr. J.M. Punt, President of JT Bioscopen stated “Over the last 3 years we have tested and learned how to use digital cinema in a professional way, now we are ready for the next step. JT Bioscopen is going for 100% digital screens including a majority of high quality 3D double projection systems. XDC seems clearly to be the appropriated partner for this ambitious plan”.Serge Plasch, XDC’s Chief Executive Officer said:”We are very happy to start our digital VPF roll out in The Netherlands with a major partner like JT Bioscopen because it gives us an immediate significant platform with 13 complexes spread around the whole country. We have been servicing a few Digital screens for JT Bioscopen for more than 2 years and now we are very proud to have reached an agreement to convert the entire network’’.Under the terms of the agreement with XDC, JT Bioscopen will exclusively install Series 2 DCI-compliant digital projection systems. JT Bioscopen 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 JT Bioscopen 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 FTT Filmtronics technical staff. FTT Filmtronics, who has already performed all the site surveys, will also take care of all installations including several 3D double projection systems.About XDC InternationalXDC is the n°1 digital cinema company in Europe with more than 1.350 committed digital screens out of which 50% have already been deployed. XDC HQ is based in Liege (Belgium) and provides end-to-end digital cinema solutions including equipment supply, financing (VPF, leasing, etc.), training, installation and 24/7 maintenance, as well as content processing and delivery. The company is the first entity to have VPF digital cinema deployment agreements with all 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 a bank consortium led by BNP Paribas Fortis to allow the VPF roll out of 2,000 digital screens for its European deployment program. 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.The main shareholders are EVS Broadcast Equipment (Euronext Brussels: EVS, Bloomberg: EVS BB, Reuters: EVSB.BR) (www.evs-global.com), GIMV (Euronext Brussels: GIMB, Bloomberg: GIMB BB, Reuters: GIMV.BR) (www.gimv.com) and SRIW (www.sriw.be).More info available at www.xdcinema.com.XDC Marketing & Communication Department - Tel.: +32 4 364 12 00 - Email: marcom@xdcinema.comAbout Jogchem’s Theaters B.V. (JT Bioscopen)Jogchem’s Theaters B.V. is officially founded in 1932 by Jan Jogchem. Nowadays Jogchem’s Theaters B.V. (known as JT Bioscopen) is owned by Mr. J.M. Punt of Bioscoopexploitatie J.M. Punt Beheer B.V.JT Bioscopen has 13 cinemas in 11 midsize cities throughout The Netherlands with a total of 60 screens and more than 10.000 seats.More info available at www.jt.nl XDC s.a. XDC s.a. <xdc@xdcinema.com> XDC deployment,XDC Netherlands 2010-02-17T16:48:20+01:00 http://www.xdcinema.com/news/2010/02/EIB-to-lend-up-to-EUR-65-million-to-XDC-for-its-digitization-roll-out-plans-in-Europe EIB to lend up to EUR 65 million to XDC for its digitization roll-out plans in Europe The European Investment Bank will grant financing of up to EUR 65 million to XDC, the n°1 digital cinema service company in Europe, in the framework of the financing structured by BNP Paribas Fortis to contribute to its digitization roll-out plans in Europe. This will also strengthen XDC’s research and development activities to further improve its digital cinema solutions.The loan facility granted by BNP Paribas Fortis, KBC, CBC and the EIB - the financing institution of the European Union - will finance digital cinema equipment aimed to be deployed in European cinemas in the scope of the “Virtual Print Fee” co-financing scheme. This scheme based on cost sharing between exhibitors and distributors has been signed by XDC with the 6 Majors Studio’s to convert up to 8,000 screens to digital over the next 4 years.The participation of the EIB in the first tranche of the loan facility amounts to EUR 16 million. KBC Bank and CBC Bank will also participate in this facility with a contribution of EUR 10 million. BNP Paribas Fortis which had been mandated last year to structure, arrange and underwrite this 2 x EUR 50 millions project finance loan facility will provide the remainder of the first tranche or EUR 24 million. The loan will benefit, for a substantial portion, from an insurance cover provided by ONDD, the Belgian Export Credit Agency.Ahead of these senior debt arrangements, XDC entered into a financing agreement with Barco, one of its preferred digital projector manufacturer partners. Barco will participate in this structure through a specific and tailored made vendor financing program."Financing capacity and technical innovation are key matters for XDC’s business plan execution” said Serge Plasch, XDC’s CEO. “This EIB loan facility will secure our long term senior debt requirements. Moreover, this will allow XDC to emphasize its R&D projects to serve the market with innovative solutions.”EIB President Philippe Maystadt explained “how crucial it is, and even more in this period of shortened credit for niche sectors, to support long-term investment for young, performing SMEs with high potential. It is also important to support innovative projects with a strong R&D component with tailor-made financial products such as the Risk Sharing Finance Facility for Research Development and Innovation (RSFF) which we are using for XDC. He also added: We are pleased to support the development of XDC ; it has created its unique position as a key contributor in its field, bringing added-value to the distributors and exhibitors going to digital, and becoming a leader in the high-tech world of cinema.”ContactsAt XDC InternationalSerge Plasch, CEO, Tel.: +32 4 364 12 06 - Email: spl@xdcinema.comPierre Flamant, VP Finance, Tel.: +32 4 364 12 16 – Email : pfl@xdcinema.comAt the EIBFor the media : Sabine Parisse,Tel.: +352 4379 83340 - Email : s.parisse@eib.org ou Léon Vivier,Tel. : +32 475812455 - Email : leon.vivier@skynet.beFor RSFF financing operations : Marc D’hooge, Tel. : +352 4379 87211 - Email : m.dhooge@eib.orgBackground information:About XDC InternationalXDC is the n°1 digital cinema company in Europe wit h more than 1.350 committed digital screens out of which 50% have already been deployed. XDC HQ is based in Liege (Belgium) and provides end-toend digital cinema solutions including equipment supply, financing (VPF, leasing, etc), training, installation and 24/7 maintenance, as well as content processing and delivery. The company is the first entity to have VPF digital cinema deployment agreements with all 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 million Euro with a bank consortium led by BNP Paribas Fortis to allow the VPF roll out of 2,000 digital screens for its European deployment program. 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.The main shareholders are EVS Broadcast Equipment (www.evs-global.com) (Euronext Brussels: EVS, Bloomberg: EVS BB, Reuters: EVSB.BR), GIMV (www.gimv.com) (Euronext Brussels: GIMB, Bloomberg: GIMB BB, Reuters: GIMV.BR) and SRIW (www.sriw.be).ABOUT THE EIB AND RSFFThe European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending arm of the European Union, and is wholly owned by the 27 EU member states. Its mission is to support through its activities the development of EU policies. It does this mainly by providing loans from funds raised on capital markets on favorable terms thanks to its AAA credit rating. The Bank permanently adapts its activity to developments in EU policy and contributes chiefly to economic and social cohesion, environmental protection, research and innovation, support for SMEs, the development of trans-European transport and energy networks and the promotion of secure, competitive and sustainable energy supplies. Every year, it makes available finance totalling some EUR 50bn in support of projects located in the EU. (More information on http://www.eib.org )The Risk Sharing Finance Facility (RSFF) is a joint EIB and European Commission initiative which supports the development of research, development and innovation (RDI) projects by improving access to debt financing and creating additional funding capacity for the sector. The facility directly promotes the EU’s objective of making Europe the world’s most competitive, knowledge-driven economy.RSFF is funded jointly by the EIB and the EU’s Seventh Research Framework Programme and will cover the financial risks associated with RDI projects worth up to EUR 10bn. In the facility’s first 2 ½ years of operation, the EIB has concluded contracts totalling EUR 4,5 billion for RDI projects from a wide range of sectors, notably renewable energy, automotive research and biotechnology. XDC s.a. XDC s.a. <xdc@xdcinema.com> XDC 2010-02-12T14:00:19+01:00