Dolby joins 3-D projection fray

Sho West Brief

By DAVID S. COHEN

Dolby Digital Cinema joined the 3-D projection competish with the announcement of Dolby 3D Digital Cinema, a hardware and software package that turns any DCI-compliant digital projector system into a 3-D system.

Dolby's system works with a standard white screen, instead of requiring a costly upgrade to a highly reflective "silver" screen. It uses passive glasses as well instead of the more expensive active glasses, which need batteries.

That potentially turns every digital venue into a 3D auditorium at much lower cost to the theater owner.

Separately, Dolby also announced a deal with Technicolor Digital Cinema. TDC has ordered 190 Dolby Digital Cinema systems. The majority, some 130 units, will deploy in Europe with the Belgium-based Kinepolis Group, while the remaining 60 will be part of TDC's North American d-cinema beta test.