Katie Charman

What is digital distribution? Definition: Digital cinema refers to the use of digital technology to distribute and project motion pictures. A movie can be distributed via hard drives, optical disks (such as DVDs and Blu-ray Discs) or satellite and projected using a digital projector instead of a conventional film projector. Digital cinema is distinct from high-definition television and, in particular, is not dependent on using television or high-definition video standards, aspect ratios, or frame rates.

Advantages
y Cheaper and much less stressful to send films as computer files to cinemas across the UK, than to transport tins of film in the back of a van. Better sound systems It will be less expensive in the coming years to offer a wide theatrical opening with many copies, and also conversely, to screen a film for just one performance at any cinema. In theory at least, it will be possible for both distributors and exhibitors to respond more precisely to audience demand. Addition/deletion of scenes after the movies have been released is easier/cheaper with Digital cinemas.

Disadvantages
y It is hard to find specific films on the internet as it is so large, so you have to make your film stand out.

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Can be seen as contributing to the slow death of theatre-style viewing. Most of the theatres are equipped with film based projectors and to replace them entirely with digital projectors would involve a lot of cost and redesigning for the theatre owners.

Old cameras are reliable and a lot of people know how to work them and fix them if there is a problem

What is the Digital Screen Network? Digital screening cuts the cost of releasing films. That's why UK Film Council (now BFI) and the Arts Council England created the Digital Screen Network a 12 million investment to equip 240 screens in 210 cinemas across the UK with digital projection technology to give UK audiences much greater choice. Cinemas in the network have already screened nonmainstream films.