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 digitization of the motion picture industry.

Lightyear was formed to take advantage of the latest developments in digital entertainment technologies……….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 equipment, services and technical expertise required for the successful design, development and operation of a 21st century digital theatre.

Over a period of 18-years Lightyear utilized facilities in California such as The Sony Hi-Definition Center in Culver City, the Charles 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 a phenomenal presentation, encompassing everything from Blue Ray DVD format to the finest quality high-definition or 3D motion pictures and documentaries.  In the USA, Lightyear’s demonstration theatre in Beverly Hills, California is a state-of-the-industry audio visual showcase.  In Canada, Lightyear’s 200-seat demonstration theatre in Surrey, British Columbia 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 and 3D programming, exploring new worlds of science, art and technology and opening a window to the universe.

Complementing the Lightyear digital theatre package are the complete broadcast platform and distribution services of INSINC Technologies. INSINC’s 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, 20 to 40 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 2,000.  The unique qualities of a CIT permits the image and sound to be controlled at the highest levels.  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.

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 of a CIT 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 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 yet vastly cheaper and more efficient production, post-production, distribution and exhibition of entertainment and educational content. The days of film only theatrical entertainment are virtually over.

Lightyear continues to take a significant lead in the implementation of digital theatre, digital distribution and the advancement of digital technology within the motion picture industry.