Home Entertainment Ster Kinekor is about to enter the digital age

Ster Kinekor is about to enter the digital age

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Big things are happening soon with Ster Kinekor cinemas, and their screens precisely. The local giant has announced that they will soon begin work on  shifting all their screens from humble film to digital, a move that will be implemented across 59 cinemas across the nation.

In a press release today, SK confirmed that work had already begun on securing the equipment to upgrade their theatres, with such hardware such as AAM proprietary TMS software and Screenwriter being brought in for the transition.

“Converting to digital is a critical step in the progression of Ster-Kinekor Theatres as we continue to grow our business and continue to lead South Africa’s movie exhibition industry”, said Chief Executive Officer of Ster-Kinekor Theatres, Fiaz Mahomed.

 It is also critical in meeting the very real demand from our valued audiences in seeing the best content on offer in an all-consuming, all entertaining environment. This is an evolving sector and we are committed to continuously improving the consumer experience.

We’re delighted to announce this deal with AAM – we’ve seen their experience in Europe and are looking forward to their expertise in helping us become 100% digital.

The investment into the digital conversion in our cinemas will mean rapid, and in certain instances instantaneous, release of movie titles as well as alternative content such as sporting events and live concerts.

The benefits to the consumer are the most exciting part of the project for us as this rollout will result in more 3D content being screened, superior picture quality, new genres of film content and closer alignment of local release dates with international ones.

As well as the upcoming digital revamp, SK will also be launching new mobile websites and apps, with which patrons can secure tickets to shows, without having to queue for them.

“All to meet consumer demand and giving our customers a superior cinema experience,” said Mahomed.

“With AAM’s market-leading experience in Europe, and having recently confirmed our international expansion to Latin America with our announcement of a VPF deal with Sony Pictures, we see South Africa as another key territory where a VPF program could bring tremendous value and Ster-Kinekor is a fantastic first partner to be working with”, said Chief Executive Officer of Arts Alliance Media, Howard Kiedaisch

AAM’s Director of Business Development and Commercial Operations, Giovanni Dolci, added, “We have been working closely with Fiaz and his team to devise a solution that would meet Ster-Kinekor’s needs and we are thrilled to announce this deal to support their digital conversion.

So what does that mean for us exactly? Well, hopefully more films, quicker, sooner and in sync with other international markets, along with a picture that boasts higher definitions as well.

Last Updated: June 19, 2012

6 Comments

  1. Nathan Horne

    June 19, 2012 at 15:39

    So, will this also allow us to watch The Hobbit in 48 FPS in 3D? I hope so!

    Reply

  2. NiteFenix

    June 19, 2012 at 16:30

    I don’t care about any of this.  I just want to be able to pay for tickets with EFT instead of resorting to credit card or mimoney.  *mumble*

    Reply

  3. Kervyn Cloete

    June 19, 2012 at 16:35

    Here’s the problem I have with this. Whenever a film has received a very limited 2D release, just playing in a few cinemas in a region for just a handful of days before being yanked away leaving consumers no choice but to see it in 3D, the excuse I’ve always received from SK or NuMetro is that the 2D films are always on 35mm film – which they get a very limited number of copies of to use throughout the country – whereas the 3D versions are always digital – which they can get cheaper and quicker.

    So now that all their cinemas are digital, does that mean even less 2D options?

    Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      June 19, 2012 at 16:40

      well I’d like to this this will mean that 2D movies can now be shown across the country alongside 3D instead of having to ship that one reel around

      Reply

      • Bernhard Serapins

        July 7, 2012 at 08:58

        I absolutely agree, 2D should not suffer as a result of the switch to digital projection as I very much prefer 2D. I also wonder what will happen to 35mm only films such as The Dark Knight Rises, how will they be displayed if Ster Kinekor is removing all the old projectors?

        Reply

    • CraigB

      June 20, 2012 at 12:09

       Just close one eye and you get it converted to 2D for free!  😉

      Reply

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