During Wedensday’s sound panel, Mark Collins, director of projection technology at Marcus Theatres, said: “We are sometimes getting 12 different Digital Cinema Packages (the digital equivalent to a film print), including versions for 3D and different light levels. We’d like a common standard for sound.”
While he viewed immersive audio as the “next step” in large-format theaters, he asserted that “[exhibitors] are looking at a considerable cost” for such installation, and he therefore believes standards are key because “we have to know we are making a long-term investment.”
Speaking Wednesday at CinemaCon, SMPTE committee chair Brian Vessa -- who is executive director of digital audio mastering at Sony Pictures Entertainment -- urged studios and exhibitors to get together and push for a common standard, saying that this is needed for wide adoption of immersive sound.
Vessa reported that SMPTE’s early study likely will conclude in June or July, then it would take about a year to develop the common file format and probably another year to implement it into production workflow and theaters.
Read the full story here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/cinemacon-issue-brewing-proposed-immersive-442120