7 major studios announced yesterday that they would form a partnership to streamline the acceptance of Digital technology in the Theatre Exhibition industry. Walt Disney Studios, 20th Century Fox, MGM, Paramount Studios, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Bros. announced an initiative to cooperate on developing a system of industry standards for Digital Cinema technology. The new entity will work towards implementing open technical standards, quality control assurances and technical performance levels, to act as guidelines for manufacturers, distributors and Theatre owners. These standards will be set in place to ensure compatibility and equipment quality for Theatres looking to adapt for the new Digital Film format. \"In order to bring the benefits of this technology to the public on a large-scale basis, there needs to be industrywide standards so that movie producers, exhibitors and equipment manufacturers can be confident that their products and services are interoperable and compatible with the products and services of all industry participants,\" The group will also review business strategies to make the changeover more acceptable to Theatre owners without significant changes in ticket prices. -From the Hollywood Reporter, April 3, 2002
