American Cinema Supply (Portland, OR.) has sold digital cinema equipment to a number of indies, as has Claco, in Utah.
Getting the equipment isn't the problem. Fitting the cost into your business model, is. If you can make the numbers work, there's no reason you can't have digital in your booth, as far as I know.
Just be prepared to roll with the conditions you're faced with. There doesn't appear to be much wiggle room for negotiation. You'll either buy from a short list, or not... whether you get VPFs, or not (and it'll probably be 'not').
Remember to study all maintenance and recurring licensing fees carefully. Most of this stuff, especially 3D, comes with ongoing fingers in your wallet.
As far as I know, the studios have held firm to their distribution policies. I can't think of any cases where I've heard a digital system resulted in better acquisition of titles. If you're having trouble getting the pictures you want, nothing I've heard indicates that a digital projector will change that for you.
For me, it all boils down to a few questions, none of which involves the availailability of the technology or the supply of content. At the outset, I'm discounting "alternative content" as something that would bring in more than occasional pocket change... and remember that with a CBG-based installation, you have to pay percentages on alternate content, too.
1. Will digital result in noticeably better presentation quality over my average use of a film print (usually no more than 4 weeks)?
2. Can I have digital at a price that's within screaming distance of my present film-based system, and if not, will increased business to my digital screens offset the added cost?
3. If the answer to 2 is 'no', Is the competitive environment in my town such that I can offset the cost by effectively using digital as a long-term marketing tool, even if there are no other financial benefits?
4. Would I be better off, buying digital now, rather than wait for the technology to settle down... that, or wait for a used market to possibly emerge?
5. If I go further, and add 3D to my digital system, will the ongoing costs (glasses, licensing, maintenance) be offset by substantial financial return and goodwill, or am I taking money away from my family, and my airplane?
6. Given that big chains, like Regal, AMC and the like, haven't successfully financed and implemented a global conversion to digital, do I know something that they don't, making me smarter and therefore justifying the purchase of digital before they use their big-bucks deep pockets to get the kinks worked out?
7. Is there any way I can possibly overcome the above, put in digital and break even... much less make a profit?
So far, I can't say "yes" to any of it... at least not yet.
What tips the balance for you?
[This message has been edited by rodeojack (edited July 19, 2008).]
[This message has been edited by rodeojack (edited July 19, 2008).]