Ubiquitous expansion of digital technologies has not left cinematography unconsidered. Electronic (digital) cinema appears to be a viable alternative to traditional one. Electronic (digital) cinema is a technologically completed digital process of production, distribution and run of films. Nowadays, according to official statistics, film runs are actively conducted on more than 130 digital screens, i.e. these cinema theaters get high definition movies from Hollywood production companies.
There are actively working groups on standardization, namely SMPTE DC28, ITU Study Group 6, MPEG, EDCF etc.
Upgrade of all technical means of cinematography to digital equipment has not only economical merits but also provides new opportunities unavailable before, in traditional cinema. Besides movie films, electronic theatres can provide a wide screen to the spectators for real time watching important cultural, political or sport events. This is so called alternative applications.
Whole technology chain of digital cinematography consists of three parts: production, distribution and run of films. For the purpose of film shooting, world leading manufacturers Sony, Panasonic, Thomson released digital cinema cameras. The cameras are able to shoot 24 frames per second and have facilities to adjust the majority of parameters (color range, dynamic range, focus depth etc.) like if they were usual film cameras.
Distribution and dubbing in digital format is a significant advantage of electronic cinematography. Firstly, there is an opportunity of worldwide first run. Secondly, digital movie can be easily recorded to any HD media, for example to D-VHS tape, and delivered by mail to cinema theatre for run or transferred through computer networks or satellite channels to the server of theatre. From the other side: once dubbing is conducted digitally and without loss of quality, every copy can be considered as master-copy and piracy problem results from here. JVC has offered reliable protection from piracy by release of D-VHS recording format along with D-Theatre system having high degree of protection from illegal dubbing. This format has been vigorously supported by Hollywood studios.
Unlike traditional cinema theatre, the electronic one is based on digital cinema projector. Nowadays, these projectors are based on DLP Cinema and D-ILA technologies. Most of large digital theatres are equipped with DLP Cinema projectors which have real resolution 1.3K (1280õ1024). JVC DLA-QX1 based on D-ILA technology is the only projector having real resolution 2K.
According to how strict are the requirements to the film run, the theatres are divided onto electronic (e-cinema) and digital (d-cinema). As Peter Wilson, chair of the EDCF technical module, views digital cinema as the pinnacle of quality for first run systems, while electronic cinema is below that and encompasses regional theatres, portable systems and alternative applications. Electronic theatres are rather wide-spread and equipment cost does not exceed the cost of medium size traditional cinema theatre and is even significantly less for small size theatres in comparison with small traditional theatres. Installation and running costs are also significantly lower. Different countries choose different types of theatres, so in USA large digital cinemas are preferred; Europe is more inclinable to multiplexes with small halls, i.e. electronic cinemas.
Russia, having no established film rent network, - is well prospecting country for introduction of whole technological chain of electronic cinematography: digital HD-production, digital HD-broadcasting and digital presentation. It was confirmed by the International conference "Digital Cinematography. Production and Distribution" which was held in November 2002 by NIKFI, ERA Company and TKT magazine. The Digital Cinematography - is the future, and this future is coming now!
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