THE old reel projectors at the Roxy Cinema are flickering through their final days.
The ticking sound of the projector room is about to be replaced by a deathly silence.
It’s a silence that brings with it exciting things for movie buffs.
By Tuesday night, the Roxy’s projectors will be completely digital.
Those beautiful old Italian-made film projectors will no doubt be quickly sold to enthusiasts.
“Film is finally finishing,” said Roxy owner Bob Brainwood.
Mr Brainwood’s passion for movies, and determination to keep Nowra’s cinema viable, have helped keep him at the forefront of the industry’s technology.
“This new digital era is a technology that has been proven and operating around the world for about 10 years.
“Radio City Music Hall in the US was the first to install a digital projector.
“In 2009 we installed our first digital projector and by Tuesday night all five of our cinemas will be digital.”
He said in one sense it would be sad to see the old projectors go. They’ve been through immeasurable kilometres of film, they were top quality projectors.
“The first one I bought brand new, almost 20 years ago. They were built about 30 years ago and that sort of machinery is like a high-quality car – it’s a build quality you just don’t see any more.
“In all their years of operation we haven’t needed to spend a penny on them.
“It’s going to be odd walking into the projector room and not hearing any noise,” he said.
But for any cinemas to survive they must now turn to digital, and at about $70,000 per unit it’s reassuring to know there is a noticeable difference in the on-screen picture and sound.
“This image is 1000 times better than film. There is no grain, no cue marks, no scratches or jumping, it’s crystal clear,” Mr Brainwood said.
“The movies are now delivered in a hard drive, which is unlocked by a digital key code sent online from Hollywood prior to the movie screening.
“We load the movie into our system then Hollywood unlocks it before it’s due to run.
“Most of the operation is automated, the projector will start up on its own, the airconditioning and lighting will be run automatically.
“People notice the digital, the quality is there.
“Where it’s going to really shine is in the films that are made for 3D.”
Mr Brainwood said some exhibitors are crying because digital is taking over and they are resisting, “but 2012 to 2013 is the world-wide cut-off for film”.
“In the 35mm days there were so many backyard style setups. But now it’s all got to be installed by Hollywood-certified technicians, in fact it was Walt Disney that gave our installation the certification,” he said.
Changes to the industry won’t stop at digital technology. Mr Brainwood is watching the developments in laser light technology and believes that in the next decade the heat-producing xenon globes that still light the image will be replaced by lasers.
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