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H2H Digital and GDC Technology Leads the Market in digital delivery of
motion picture films in Asia
For immediate release
Hong Kong, 03 March 2004. - H2H Digital Limited, the leading digital cinema
integrator in Asia, announced today that a deal has been signed with Media Asia
to provide telecine transfer and encoding services to enable the distribution of
two additional film titles in 2004 to China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and
Thailand.
H2H Digital, in collaboration with GDC Technology (GDC Tech) Limited, was
responsible for facilitating the first cross-border digital distribution of local Hong
Kong producer, Media Asia's blockbuster release, Infernal Affairs III. GDC Tech,
the worldwide leading developer of digital cinema solutions, equipped Shaw Lido
Cineplex in Singapore Theatre's with GDC Technology’s 2K DSR™ Digital Film
Server to present the film at the Gala opening on 12 December 2003
The digital version of Infernal Affairs III was distributed in several Asian countries,
including China and data security management was closely maintained by GDC
Tech, on behalf of H2H, throughout the entire process. As a result of the
successful trial, Media Asia is demonstrating its commitment to the digitization
process by committing to 2 additional films in 2004. "As the number of digital
screens are increasing in Asia, the opportunity to reduce distribution costs and
reduce piracy as a result of wider distribution through digitization makes good
business sense." Says Jeffrey Chan, Head of Distribution at Media Asia.
H2H confirmed SingTel as the first provider to participate in the trial of crossborder
film distribution to Singapore. "We first met with SingTel in September
2003 to introduce the concept of delivering digital films to Singapore, says
Renaud Palliere, CEO of H2H Digital. "Today we are developing and expanding
partnerships with a number of satellite and fiber network operators across the
Asia-Pacific region in order to provide the film studios and distributors with an
ubiquitous, cost-efficient, secure and most importantly, neutral intra-Asia and
trans-pacific delivery mechanisms."
Since the digital delivery of Infernal Affairs 3, similar trials have been conducted
in Asia, such as the recent distribution of a filmed event to theatres in India. In
this trial, the content was distributed via satellite transmission. “By providing the
secure DVB-IP communication interface directly to our server, which has
multiple-layered encryption to protect the content, the cost benefit of our satellite
delivery solution is important factor for our clients in the roll-out of digital cinemas
in Asia”, said Dr Man Nang CHONG, GDC Technology’s CEO. "As issues of
picture quality, cost and security are some of the most important aspects of
digital film distribution, there is a great need for close coordination between the
producer, the post-postproduction house and the distributor." Says Dr. CHONG.
“Many telecommunications companies are promoting their services on the basis
of their footprint coverage and believe they are well positioned to take over the
role of local film distributors, ultimately rending their services obsolete. Film
studios have already expressed concerns over telco's as the new gatekeepers
of the film distribution business, and instead, are partnering with a neutral service
provider like H2H” according to Paula Brillson, Executive Vice President of
Content Services. "We have clear examples of such satellite companies who
have tried this approach and failed because they failed to win the trust of the
producers/distributors.”
The H2H approach is to streamline the process of film digitization and delivery to
help reduce costs while at the same time, creating commercial opportunities and
maintaining high quality and security standards. “We do not see our services as
a replacement of the distributor or as an additional third-party player in the
distributor/theatre relationships but more as the role of neutral integrator”
concludes Brillson.
Acting at both ends of the supply chain (content providers and exhibitors) H2H is
in the process of fast tracking the industry shift toward a digital exhibition format
by offering mastering and encoding services to producers and digital cinema
equipment to the theatres in several Asian countries. H2H then delivers the
digital diskette to the distributors and, under the direction of the distributor,
transports the film directly to the theatres.
In addition to film distribution, H2H is making alternative content available to
theatres equipped with GDC satellite-enabled servers, including sporting events
and musical concerts and educational programming.
About H2H
Headquartered in Hong Kong, H2H Digital, a subsidiary of The H2H Group,
Limited, is the leading provider of integrated digital cinema equipment platforms,
lease financing and end-to-end connectivity services and delivers filmed
entertainment, alternative and digital advertising content to cinemas on a
worldwide basis. Visit a href="http://www.h2hdigital.com/">www.h2hdigital.com
For more information contact: Paula Brillson, H2H Digital, EVP Content Strategy
& Business Development, Tel: +852 2584 6231, Email: pbrillson@h2hprods.com
About GDC.
GDC Technology Private Limited is a subsidiary of the Hong Kong Public Listed
Company - Global Digital Creations Holdings Limited. GDC Technology pioneers
digital post-production, delivery and presentation technologies. Known for its
commitment to innovative engineering work, quality products and state-of-the-art
technology, GDC Technology offers solutions on film transfer, post-production,
delivery and presentation of digital content.
GDC Technology's 2K DSR™ Encoder and Server are used to screen Disney's
Brother Bear with 2K DLP Cinema projector in Singapore's Eng Wah 2K digitalcinema
theatres.
For more information on GDC Technology, Ms Sharon Ang, GDC Technology
Private Limited, 70 A/B Amoy Street, Singapore 069889, visit www.gdc-tech.com
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