Studios Agree on Digital Cinema Specs

LOS ANGELES — After three years of study, Hollywood studios have agreed on a technical specification to deliver digital movies to theaters.

The big question now is: Who will pay for it?

Digital cinema promises crisper, clearer films for theatergoers. A digital "print" of a film is pristine no matter how many times it is shown, unlike traditional 35mm film prints, which develop pops, crackles and other blemishes over time.

Going digital also promises millions of dollars in savings for the studios, which would no longer have to make and distribute the costly prints.

Digital Cinema Initiatives, a joint venture created by studios, said Wednesday that it had completed final requirements and specifications that can now be used by equipment makers to manufacture compatible systems. A uniform specification levels the playing field for manufacturers, which should encourage competition and make the systems more affordable, according to DCI.

Digital projection systems are expensive. A projector alone can range from $75,000 to $120,000. Then there’s the server to store the files and a software system to compress and encrypt the files to protect them from piracy.

Theater owners have said studios should pay because they will see the greatest savings from going digital. Studios have so far balked at footing the bill to outfit the nation’s screens with the costly systems.