Digital cinema service company XDC and ZON Lusomundo the largest cinema chain in Portugal have signed an exclusive agreement for the deployment of digital cinema systems in 180 of ZON Lusomundo's cinema screens in Portugal. The agreement includes the roll out of DCI-compliant projection systems co-financed by the Virtual Print Fee model. The rollout is scheduled to begin in January with an initial commitment of 100 screens throughout the rest of the year. Tomás Gonçalves CEO of ZON Lusomundo says With this investment we will be among the most innovative cinema operators in the world and a landmark in the development of European exhibition standards. Not only will we be offering our spectators outstanding picture and sound quality we will also be able to extend our programming to alternative content at all of our theatres with more recorded and live 3D shows live satellite events such as opera concerts and sports. In addition going digital will allow us to become a more efficient company lowering our operating costs whilst at the same time generating significant improvements in customer service. Serge Plasch XDC's chief executive officer says We are very proud to announce our second VPF deal with ZON Lusomundo the most important exhibitor in Portugal. This demonstrates that the XDC's business proposal meets the requirements of European exhibitors. We expect to announce additional deployment deals in other countries soon in order to reach 1000 installed digital screens across Europe before the end of 2009. Elisabeth Berradouan senior sales manager Southern Europe with XDC says This agreement is the results of a very professional selection process. We are pleased to start this long-term partnership with this leading exhibitor. ZON Lusomundo will be the first digital cinema network in the southern part of Europe. Under the terms of the agreement XDC will install Barco 2K Cinema projectors and XDC's CineStore Solo G3 D-Cinema servers. XDC will also implement a fully integrated and networked solution in each complex.
