History
About Lightyear Digital Theatre
Lightyear Digital Theatre was established by David Hosler in 1994 at the inception of the digital revolution that changed the world of entertainment. Mr. Hosler, the CIT Development Consultant of Lightyear, had the foresight to see that the digital transmission of data would replace analog film reels in theatrical distribution and open the theatre to the whole world of digital products now available. He had a vision of thousands of digital theatres linked electronically around the globe with interactive capabilities and unlimited content selection..a shared world community network. In 1996 he was joined by Robert Dominick, the President and CEO of Lightyear, who shared the same vision and passion for digitalization of the motion picture industry.
Lightyear was formed to take advantage of the latest developments in digital entertainment technologies comprised of: top quality digital projection, the finest digital sound reproduction and high-speed data transmission and playback. The company may best be described as a comprehensive entertainment systems integrator providing all the services required for the successful design, development and operation of a 21st century digital theatre.
Over a period of fifteen years Lightyear has utilized facilities in California such as The Sony Hi-Definition Center in Culver City, The Aidikoff Screening Room in Beverly Hills and the Directors Guild in Hollywood to carry out hundreds of presentations demonstrating the absolute quality and potential of digital cinema. These demonstrations illustrated beyond question why digital reproduction of film and sound are the future of big screen entertainment. Lightyear cordially invites interested parties to experience this phenomenal presentation encompassing everything from blue ray DVD format to the highest quality Hi-definition motion pictures and documentaries. Lightyear’s new Simon Fraser University demonstration platform is a state of the art classroom of the future where the boundaries of learning are being broken with each new application of high definition programming, exploring new worlds of science, art and technology with a window into the universe.
Other recent additions to the Lightyear Digital Theatre package are the complete broadcast platform and distribution services of INSINC Technologies. Their powerful distribution capabilities and comprehensive user services give the theatre owner incredible menu driven programming choices and revenue monitoring.
The primary product offered by Lightyear is a new concept in large screen exhibition, utilizing a data port, twenty to forty foot screen, ultra comfortable seating, exceptional projection and an outstanding sound system. This concept has been aptly named a Compact Interactive Theatre (CIT). The CIT is modular in design and caters to audiences of 50 to 200. The relatively small overall size of a CIT permits the image and sound to be controlled at the highest level of quality. This in turn produces an exceptional audio/visual experience for all types of content. Motion pictures, sporting events, educational programming, concerts, seminars, community information.. all are presented with crystal clear digital projection and pristine surround sound systems provided by Klipsch.
Lightyear has spent many years distilling the theatre to its essence, assembling components, technologies and methods that are completely reliable in order to create an efficient, well appointed and unique environment in which to enjoy screen entertainment. The core philosophy involves bringing back the community theatre to suburban neighborhoods and small towns. Well appointed upscale theatres in exclusive suburban neighborhoods will enable people to once again have entertainment on their doorsteps. A move away from the massive urban megaplexes, with their extremely limited programming, will bring the whole adult, family and mature adult demographic back to theatergoing in a more intimate and much safer local environment.
With a complete package for transmission, storage and display of digital materials, a CIT enables a massive expansion of theatrical programming while dramatically decreasing overall costs for the exhibitor.
Lightyear, with its world-class corporate partners in audio and video production and reproduction, employs cutting edge technology in the development of a clearly defined, unexploited market niche. In North America alone there are over twenty thousand locations that will support a Lightyear Digital Compact Interactive Theatre.
We have arrived at a threshold for change in the world of entertainment and culture. Digital technology is altering every aspect of public entertainment by opening the floodgates to higher quality, cheaper and vastly more efficient production, distribution, and exhibition of entertainment and educational content. The days of film only theatrical entertainment are virtually over.
The timing and technology are now aligned for Lightyear to take a significant lead in implementation of the Digital Revolution.