History-Making Event Broadcasted and Displayed Inside Kodak Theatre in High-Definition

KENNESAW, Ga. & MANCHESTER, UK, (March 01, 2004) – Digital Projection International (DPI), an Emmy® Award-winning manufacturer of high-performance projection systems, announced 17 of its LIGHTNING 28sx projectors were used during the 76th Annual Academy Awards® ceremony on February 29 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA. Show producers have relied on 3-chip DLP™ projectors by DPI for seven consecutive years.

Hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and broadcasted in High-Definition on ABC, the 2004 Oscar® programme featured DPI's LIGHTNING 28sx displays projecting dazzling video images onto a variety of projection surfaces throughout the venue. For the first time in the show's history, DPI's projectors also displayed the High-Definition signal for the viewing audience on the 'Best Picture Screen' inside the Kodak Theatre.

The most intriguing projection element was a 24-foot tall trapezoid-shaped screen located directly above centre stage. Composed of customised materials, the screen - approximately 50-feet in length at its top and narrowing down to 22-feet at its bottom - was illuminated by five LIGHTNING displays and provided dynamic visuals during the show's scheduled musical performances.

DPI's LIGHTNING 28sx projectors were also employed on other screens for additional visual effects. A 14-foot diameter cylindrical projection screen utilised two LIGHTNING projectors and two 9.3 x 16.3-foot screens, each supported by two projectors, flew in and out from stage left and right on command. For additional audience viewing inside the theatre, two stationary 6.7 x 12-foot screens each employed one LIGHTNING projector.

Creative Technology North America, an international audio and video solutions provider and authorised DPI staging partner, managed the integration and inventory of the display technology in the 180,000-square foot facility. This was the fourth Oscars® event in which Creative Technology has been involved in and the 11th for Frank McMinn, vice president of entertainment sales for Creative Technology.

"Events as prestigious as the Academy Awards® are ever-changing," said McMinn. "Each year, the production values are increased to top what was done previously. Digital Projection has been an ongoing supporter in Creative Technology's efforts to meet and exceed the Producers' vision".

"Our involvement with the Academy Awards® for seven consecutive years has certainly strengthened our reputation as the number one provider of precision displays for high-profile entertainment applications," said Mike Levi, president of Digital Projection, Inc. "We can't thank the Show's producers and Creative Technology enough for their continued trust and confidence in our company and products."

DPI's high-performance LIGHTNING, THUNDER and HIGHlite displays have been used for every major televised broadcast Awards programme, including the Emmys®, Oscars®, Grammys®, Blockbuster® Music Awards and the American Music Awards. Projectors by DPI can be found in Hollywood studios, screening rooms, Fortune 5000, worship venues, broadcast sets, command & control facilities, scientific research and visualisation applications, retail outlets and prestigious home theatres.

™Digital Light Processing and DLP are registered trademarks of Texas Instruments.
Emmy® is a registered trademark of The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Grammy® is a registered trademark of National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Academy Awards® and Oscar® are registered trademarks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.