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I am looking to open a new movie theater in a smaller market. The retail trade population for my area is approximately 500,000. There are two megaplexes in town. I am looking to open a smaller theater. I have checked into the Sony SDDS system. Does anyone have any suggestions for a start up? What type of equipment would you as the experts consider the best in quality and pricing?

I would appreciate any assistance anyone can provide! Thank you for your time!

If you are going to have a digital sound system, stick with either Dolby Digital or DTS digital. You're just throwing your money away on Sony's SDDS system (which is overpriced anyway).

You stick with Dolby Digital, because it is
on the print. DTS is good if you are lucky
to get the disc for the movie. SDDS is on it's way out. For the money Dolby is a good
buy.

Well al lot would depend on where you are building
If it is in Canada then DTS is not a problem as the exchange automatically ships disks to any theatre regestered as haveing one installed

I just want to send a sincere thank you to all who have replied so far. All of your advise and help is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

Can you further that, Gordon?

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"Would you like fries with that?"

Gordon, you are a fountain of information. On the question of distribution format (disc vs reel), do distributors distribute films in dics form to Jamaica.

Thanks in advance

Atlantis,

I don't think you understand.

Film comes on film. (One box that weighs 70 lbs (32 kilograms) or two cans that weigh 35 lbs each (16 kilos). Film is not a digital medium yet. There are some experiments, but it is not in general use yet. Consumer grade DVD is not an acceptable format for theatrical exhibition. (Although it could be made to look quite good.) Don't be tempted as public Exhibition licencing agreements must still be obtained and paid for.

The digital soundtrack comes either on the film like Dolby Digital or SDDS or on an accompanying CD-ROM disc or two like DTS. And no, I would worry that I would never get DTS discs in Jamaica.

Thanks Large for clearing that up for me. This forum has been so helpful. I've complied a ton of notes yet I still have much to learn. This may be another stupid questions; Is there some place ( an exhibit or showroom) I can go to see booth equipment. I'm in Toronto, Canada

I'm trying to get a job at a movie house so I can get first hand experience.

Any one need free labour

Thanks

abbyll - You might want to look into our Frequently Asked Questions Area for more information on other theatre related issues.