The CineStore® Solo G3 digital cinema server is the first to be based on the innovative FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) solution capable of JPEG2000 DCI/SMPTE2 compliant decoding (as well as MPEG2 decoding). This provides a really competitive advantage in comparison with the ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) solutions implemented in current D-Cinema servers. Indeed, the G3 server is easily upgradeable as the FPGA can be reprogrammed .That means the upgrade is performed economically and securely by remote control. This avoids swapping hardware inside the machine, says Jérôme Delvaux, R&D Manager at XDC. The security of the whole system has also been studied to have one of the most secure systems, in accordance with DCI specifications, and furthermore, we have implemented into the G3 a high speed SATA connectivity enabling real-time ingest of JPEG2000 content. The internal SATA port is used with our new XDC's Cinedisk, which is a Promise® interoperable hard drive. Of course, any other interoperable hard drives can be connected to the G3 by using the external connections (Ethernet, e-SATA or USB2) provided on the server.

The XDC team has fully redesigned its products. The new G3 server also will be equipped with the CineStore® Audi. This newly developed unit provides the interconnection of the G3 to the cinema audio B-chain in order to provide digital to analogue conversion, external analogue audio source inputs and high quality signal isolation to avoid unexpected noise.

The XDC G3 server is an interoperable system, very flexible and fully integrated into the cinema environment (i.e. automation, sound and pre-show systems). It is connected via high-speed DSL to the XDC Network Operations Centre for online support and assistance. XDC?s 7/7 helpdesk staff is composed of multilingual skilled engineers servicing over 300 digital cinema installations spread on 10 European countries. The automatic system health reports generated by the G3 are sent to the CineStore® Data, XDC's central management system, to provide proactive preventative maintenance operations. The CineStore® Data is also used for the upgrades and the remedial support operations. In addition, the CineStore® Data is the foundation stone for content related extranet services which are available according to client requirements on the XDC network.

The G3 can be remotely controlled via the CineStore® Plaza, XDC's Theatre Management System (TMS) composed of the Plaza-Catcher which ingests content securely stored on Cinedisks, and the Plaza-Library which securely stores over 40 films in JPEG2000 format.

Exhibitors are invited to meet XDC staff on the XDC Booth #193 on the Trade Show Floor to discover all the possibilities offered by the CineStore® Product Family: the G3 D-Cinema server, the Plaza TMS and the Data NOC (Network Operations Centre) services.

Bernard Collard, General Manager Tel.: +32 477 49 49 39