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IMAX CORPORATION PURCHASES DIGITAL PROJECTION INTERNATIONAL
KENNESAW, GA, (September 7, 1999) - Digital
Projection today announced Imax Corporation (Nasdaq:IMAX; TSE:IMX) has
purchased all of the outstanding shares of Digital Projection
International (DPI), the corporate holding company of Digital
Projection, Ltd. Manchester, UK) and Digital Projection, Inc.
(Kennesaw, GA) making Digital Projection a wholly owned subsidiary of
Imax Corporation.
According
to Brian Critchley, managing director of Digital Projection, the
acquisition will empower both companies with a depth of engineering
resources for addressing the large-venue staging and systems
integration projection markets.
"Digital
Projection will continue to develop, manufacture, distribute and
support its POWER, LIGHTNING & HIGHLITE Display projectors for use
in large-venue environments, such as live events, churches, casinos,
campus lecture halls & theatres, government & military,
boardrooms, broadcast sets, postproduction houses &every market we
currently occupy. In fact, we believe we will be poised to expand our
contributions to these markets with the strength of Imax," said
Critchley.
With
an immediate presence in the $4.6 billion electronic projection display
marketplace, Imax Corporation will leverage its expertise in creating
state-of-the-art visual experiences to complement Digital Projection's
development of creating extended format digital displays.
"Imax
Corporation's roots are in technology and we have always strived to be
at the leading edge of entertainment technology," said Imax
Corporation's co-Chief Executive Officers Bradley J. Wechsler and
Richard L. Gelfond. "We believe that DPI's systems are the most
advanced in the digital image delivery industry today. We are excited
about integrating DPI into IMAX and exploring the synergies of brand
leverage, shared research and joint product development."
According
to Mike Levi, president of Digital Projection's North American
operations, "from the genesis of Digital Projection's research and
development, the company has been committed to the creation of premier
electronic displays. With Imax's resources, industry renowned
engineering and publicly acknowledged prowess at creating immersive
experiences, Digital Projection will be empowered with even more tools
for expanding its current markets and developing the products of the
future. We are thrilled to be the newest part of Imax Corporation."
Mike
Blackburn, Digital Projection's international sales and marketing
director for territories outside North America, added, "This is an
unparalleled fusion of Digital Projection's digital image delivery
systems and Imax's world leading cinematic experience. Imax's worldwide
presence and rapid penetration of the international markets,
particularly Europe and the Far East offers Digital Projection greatly
increased access and opportunities. We are very excited by the Imax
vision of the cinematic experience which encompasses both image and
sound technologies and the possibilities this presents for product
enhancement."
The
confluence of these two powerful cinema and display technologies will
certainly result in a "sharing of innovations" and advanced display
tools.
About Imax Corporation
Founded
in 1967, Imax Corporation has consistently delivered the world's
premiere cinematic experiences. As of June 30, 1999, there were more
than 195 permanent IMAX theatres in 25 countries, with a backlog of
more than 80 theatre systems scheduled to open in 15 new countries
during the next few years. Over 500 million people have seen an IMAX
presentation since the medium premiered in 1970. In 1999, more than 70
million people worldwide are expected to attend an IMAX theatre. In
1997, Imax was awarded an Oscarâ for Scientific and Technical
Achievement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Emmy is a registered
trademark of The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
DLP
is a registered trademark of Texas Instruments.
About
Digital Projection International
Founded in 1989, Digital Projection International (DPI)
has been instrumental in the development and application of Digital
Light Processing™ technology by Texas Instruments for projection
systems. DPI introduced the world’s first 3-chip DLP™ projector
in 1997, and has since delivered expert system engineering and world-class
customer services, thus maintaining its position as a digital imaging
pioneer.
DPI’s
groundbreaking projection research and development has garnered the
admiration of industry professionals around the world. This has
included many awards, including two Emmy® Awards for Outstanding
Achievement in Engineering Development by the Academy of Television
Arts and Sciences. DPI remains the first and only projector
manufacturer to win the coveted award.
Today,
DPI manufactures and distributes an extensive line of ultra
high-performance 3-chip and single-chip DLP™ projection systems. These
projectors are the reference standard for demanding applications such
as large-venue, live-event staging, Fortune 5000, Homeland Security,
education, medical and scientific research, command and control,
digital cinema, commercial entertainment, religious venues and elite
home cinema.
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