About Digital Cinema

The implementation of digitally distributed and exhibited motion pictures offers substantial benefits to the entire value chain. To the distributor, ease and cost saving are among the many advantages. To the exhibitor, Digital Cinema offers an opportunity to access and provide a diverse buffet of content to their audience. Like a department store, digital exhibitors can offer content relevant to every demographic in the community. It also offers new opportunities to coordinate the content offering with product merchandising. With a digital delivery system, the “entertainment retailer” can download, record-on-demand and sell movie sound tracks, digital games, digital books, computer programs and all else that may be tied to the content offering. Additionally, any type of advertising and promotion can be received via digital channels and used on-screen or in-lobby. Digital Cinema infrastructure also offers facility use during off-peak hours for corporate training, distant learning and community events. Finally, this evolution allows the exhibitor an opportunity to directly brand their establishments through independent promotion. Through direct promotion of their unique content and merchandise, the exhibitor can establish a competitive edge that is nearly impossible today.

Impact on Digital Cinema

David Baker began to shape the necessary technology for Digital Cinema at CyberStar, a Loral Company. At CyberStar, Baker was responsible for directing all activities relating to Digital Cinema and Convergent Media. Baker's role included development of specifications for their satellite distribution platform and all related marketing efforts. During his tenure he executed the first Digital Cinema exhibition of Academy Award winning content, transported via satellite, for the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. He was also responsible for defining and executing the presentation of CyberStar's prototype Digital Cinema system at ShoWest 1999. Baker's industry impact continued as Digital Media Consultant and Founder/Co-Director of the Boeing Digital Cinema effort. A significant result of his leadership and direction at Boeing was evident in November of 2000 when Baker orchestrated the collaboration between Miramax and Boeing on the first ever satellite and fiber (hybrid) transport of the feature film, “Bounce.” This event remains as one of the most important milestones in the evolution of Digital Cinema. This achievement was followed by the first ever satellite transport for the premiere of “Spy Kids” at Disney’s California Adventure. In addition to these milestones, Baker was responsible for direction and execution of marketing events including ShoWest 2001, Cannes 2001 and Cinema Expo 2001. Baker’s influence at Boeing also provided the foundation for their Global Digital Media efforts.