Oldest U.S. Drive-In Converts to Digital Cinema

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Thu, 02/06/2014 - 12:56 -- Nick Dager

Oldest U.S. drive-in theatre, Shankweiler’s converts to digital cinema.The oldest drive-in movie theatre in the United States Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre in Pennsylvania, has selected GDC Technology’s SX-2000AR server with Barco’s DP2K-32B projector and Ballantyne Strong for its digital conversion.

Shankweiler’s opened up for its 80th season in April last year. The theatre’s owners, Paul F. Geissinger and his wife, Susan, have been upgrading the theatre throughout the past three decades and successfully turned it into a Pennsylvania hangout for people of all ages during the summer months.

Geissinger said, “I chose GDC Technology because I am deeply impressed by its outright desire to help the Drive-Ins and its servers are very well received by the industry for their reliability and ease of use. With Barco’s projector, which is well known and competitively priced, I am able to elevate the movie presentation quality to a new level with the brightest available output.  I have great confidence in their respective abilities to help our transition from film to digital. It's comparable to switching from analog to high-definition television.”

“We applaud Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre for evolving its tradition of excellence in outdoor cinema by selecting Barco digital projection for its unparalleled brightness, which will ensure their continued ability to deliver the highest quality movie presentation for their loyal patrons,” said Patrick Lee, vice president of digital cinema for Barco North America.

“We are very pleased to help Shankweiler’s Drive-In with its conversion to a digital platform and further enhance the moviegoing experience for its customers,” said Ray Boegner, senior vice president of Ballantyne Strong.  “With more than 60 years of experience providing sound systems and 35mm projection systems to drive-in theatres, combined with our field services organization staffed by more than 50 service techs experienced in drive-in theaters and digital technology, Ballantyne Strong is an ideal partner to help Shankweiler’s Drive-In continue providing an outstanding entertainment experience.”

“GDC Technology is honored to partner with Barco and Ballantyne Strong on the digital rollout for Shankweiler’s Drive-in Theatre,” said Dr. Man-Nang Chong, founder and CEO of GDC Technology. “It means a lot more than just the digital cinema deployment, but to support Shankweiler’s Drive-in Theatre’s commitment in preserving the America’s oldest drive-in with the best cinema technology.”

Ballantyne Strong www.strong-world.com

Barco www.barco.com

GDC Technology Limited www.gdc-tech.com

Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre www.shankweilers.com