KITCHENER, Ont. – (November 14, 2011) – Les Cinémas Guzzo (“Guzzo”), one of Canada’s leading independent chains and the largest privately owned cinema chain in Quebec, is going 100 percent digital with its recent purchase of projectors, support and services from Christie®. The contract includes the Christie CP2000ZX, Christie CP2000-SB, Christie CP2210, Christie CP2200, and Christie CP2300 projectors. It also includes the upgrading of 27 screens to the Christie CP4220 and Christie CP4230 4K projectors.

With installation managed in-house – supported by Christie – the conversion of all 142 Guzzo screens is planned for completion by April 2012.

“In addition to the terrific image quality offered by digital projection, the conversion will give us more flexibility in the types of presentation we can offer, such as 3D and 2D, and more personalized pre-show and alternative content,” says Vincenzo Guzzo, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Cinémas Guzzo. “It will also help us decrease booth labor cost.

“With Christie, we get first-class service and great after-sale support. It’s also a bonus that their manufacturing is centered in Canada, since that means few border-crossing issues. We’ve been with Christie from our first installs in 2008, so we know they’re the most reliable choice for this project.”

Dave Muscat, senior director of sales, Christie Canada, said, “Christie is honored to help Cinémas Guzzo make this pivotal transition to digital, with best-in-class product and flexible, customized service. Christie is committed to meeting the needs of all exhibitors, including independents. We have earned more than 85 percent of Canada's digital cinema exhibition market through our commitment to long-term partnership with our customers.”

Services as Well as Projectors Included

Guzzo has committed to working with Christie Managed Services in support of sourcing, integrating and validating hardware that enables Managed Services to remotely monitor and manage Guzzo’s digital cinema projection environments. Included with the hardware will be Library Management Servers that hold the feature films, advertisements, trailers and other digital content for playing on multiple screens.

In addition, Cinémas Guzzo will use Christie ACT™, a theater automation controller to automate presentations in some of its theaters. Christie ACT translates cues from connected devices to control most theater equipment including lighting, curtains, sound, masking and projectors. Christie ACT is accessible on any networked computer, laptop or handheld device using any web browser.