Application Identifies Cost-Effective Solutions for Digital Cinema Conversion

ORLANDO, FL, OCTOBER 12, 2010 — Harkness Screens, the world’s leading manufacturer of projection screens for cinema applications, will showcase its Digital Screen Selector at ShowEast 2010 (Booth 518).

Intended as an aid to theatre operators seeking to optimise their investment in digital cinema, the Digital Screen Selector can help to:
• Reduce operating costs for 2D
• Optimise light levels for both 2D and 3D

Available through the Harkness Screens website, the Digital Screen Selector has a user-friendly interface with no software download required and uses industry-accepted standards and vendor data to compare different operating scenarios. The Selector is intended to be a guide for theatre operators when consulting with projector, lamp, and 3D technology providers.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer our new Digital Screen Selector to cinema professionals around the world,� says Andrew Robinson, managing director of Harkness Screens. “By answering a few quick questions about the screen size and equipment being used in a particular theatre, the Selector suggests Harkness screen options to optimise performance and cost.�

Harkness’ Perlux® gain screens reduce digital cinema projector brightness requirements significantly relative to matt white screens, enabling the use of smaller lamps that are cheaper, last longer, consume less power, roughly halving operating costs. Additionally, if the screen is considered at the same time as the projector investment, a smaller (and cheaper) projector can be an option.

For new builds and digital retrofits, a Perlux® screen can pay for itself in under a year. For existing digital installations, a Perlux® replacement screen can pay for itself in just two years. Additionally, replacement screen implementations can be self-funding and deployment models can be prepared for the customer by a Harkness representative.

Gain screens can also be a “green� investment because they can help reduce theater energy consumption and can help exhibitors meet building codes for energy efficiency.

About Harkness Screens
Harkness Screens is the world’s leading manufacturer of large screens. Thousands of screens are supplied every year for cinema, film production, special effects, live events and custom AV applications. Founded in 1929, Harkness recently celebrated its 80th year in business and has screens in place in over 60 countries. With its corporate office located in the Ireland, other offices and factories are located in UK, France, Beijing and Fredericksburg, VA. Harkness Screens combines unrivalled experience with the latest technology to provide innovative solutions to the company’s key markets worldwide. For more information, visit the Harkness Screens web page at www.harkness-screens.com.