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Actually did receive new contract, signed and returned. My problem is not having the money or time available to go to those big conventions. I realize by not going I am a bit left in the dark--but when you are trying to keep 5 single screens alive with populations ranging from 850 thru 3900 in depressed areas of the country--does not allow playing with the "big boys".

Bottom line is wishing I had a clue on what actually is going to happen to my little towns and if CBG is going to be able to help. Also where they are in the process.

One of the new things I learned is there is a members only area of their website now. They will post the minutes of the meetings there and give you those updates we all need to heard but don't make it to the meetings. I don't have access yet since I just joined so I can't tell you how informative it is, but it should help you and all of us stay informed.

Cinemateer, did AccessIT mention their exhibitor portion of the VPF? The public deal with Carmike had a exhibitor portion of $300 VPF on top of the studio portion. I would be surprized if they are now cutting deals without that, despite any NDA Carmike would get wind of it and demand re-negiotiation.

Mixerjv, they didn't mention anything about the VPF. But then again, I was speaking with techie guys about the system, so they probably wouldn't have known about the specifics in pricing. Still waiting for my quote.

Are you working on a quote for a drive-in? I didn't think the Christie projectors would kick out enough light.

No Jack, it's a 4-screen indoor. I know you and I talked about a drive-in last summer when my family and I visited, but unfortunately, the numbers didn't work out financially. The Christie 2K's aren't even close to being bright enough for a drive-in.

Ah... ok. This makes it more understandable then.

Too bad though. I think you'd make a great drive-in operator!

Jack

Thank you Jack, and I would still LOVE to open a drive-in... but the cost of land is too high to justify it, at least in this area. If the land was grandfathered to me or I had purchased it even 10 years ago, I'd be in hog heaven. When you're ready to sell out and retire, give me a call!!!

(sorry to all for getting off topic)

just read the schedule for the North Central NATO meeting and Wayne Anderson of the CBG will be presenting. Should be informative as to what they are doing and seeing on the horizon. I've already registered and will report on what transpires here. The meeting isn't until May 2, however, so it'll be a little while....

any updates on this.....

oh yeah, I did say I'd report back, didn't I....


Well, there really isn't much to report from the meeting. Wayne was there and he did present but he was short on concrete answers. He has met with all of the major digital vendors but has not come up with a formal deal by any stretch. I have heard since that he has sent out an RFP and was hopeful to have a deal in place by the end of this calendar year. With thousands of screens to place, I would bet that for a little guy like me, digital wouldn't happen until 2009 at the earliest (but I have been wrong so many times, why would this be any different).

I had a tech guy tell me i can get a 2k for about $62,000 per screen ..when it goes to $50,000 i think i will do it.........

TI (the current leader in digital cinema) has recently come out with a .98 chip that enables them to make 2K projectors about 1/2 the size they have been previously, thereby reducing the price significantly. According to the latest Film Journal, 2K digital projectors could drop by 20% very quickly in the near future. So $50k for a 2K machine could well be a reality soon.

so, why be an early adopter? What am I missing?

Just wait. There is product out there(Film)so utilize that till digitial goes full swing.
Don't rush into anything.If you have top notch presentation projector and sound than why rush to get digitial.