Drive-in theaters could be saved by digital projection

Drive-in theaters may seem like relics from a bygone era, but the film industry is doing its best to push them into the 21st century. This week, the National Association of Theater Owners (NATO) and Cinedigm, a leading digital equipment maker, announced plans to help drive-in theaters make the transition to digital projection systems by offering funding, installation, and operations support. While many traditional movie theaters have already transitioned from 35mm to digital, most drive-in theaters have been slower to adapt, mostly due to steep overhead costs that independent owners often struggle to meet. According to NATO, digital projectors are currently installed at just 10 percent of all outdoor theaters in the US. And as studios... Continue reading…