Interview with Joseph A. Flaherty

What is the purpose of the Task Group set up by ITU-R Study Group 6?

The purpose of its work is to draw up an international standard or — Recommendation in ITU jargon — governing the entire digital cinema production and presentation chain. The intention is not to set individual standards for the different links in the chain, such as filming (cameras), transport (transmission), display (screens, projectors), but rather to develop an overall framework. Bear in mind, though, that individual international standards do exist, and that this will facilitate our task, unlike what happened when a similar initiative was launched to set international standards for high definition digital television — an initiative which resulted in failure.

First of all, it was necessary to convince as many cinematography industry representatives as possible to participate in the joint effort. This industry has for several years remained apart from ITU’s activities, and talking them into rejoining this forum was no easy task. However, without a critical mass of key players, the project was meaningless. The results of our campaign exceeded our expectations: the list of participants (see table) speaks for itself, and we already have a success!

After agreeing on the definition of the term D-cinema, the group developed a common vision and objective. The aim was thus to provide the public with at least the same level of quality as they enjoy in conventional cinemas using 35 mm film. To that end, the factors which determine quality were identified, namely picture resolution and viewing distance, colorimetry, contrast and brightness, stability and movement. Some factors affect only one of the links in the chain. For example, colour depends on the screen used, and the resolution determines the bandwidth and hence the quality (correction of transmission errors), duration and cost of transmission.

On the other hand, digital cinema uses media which at the outset eliminate certain shortcomings associated with traditional media, such as the distortion and aging of films caused by the heat inside projectors, their sensitivity to dust and static electricity, and so on. All these problems disappear with the introduction of D-cinema. Last but not least, the digital medium guarantees perfect soundtracks.

Take the example of the soundtrack: the choice of language is instantaneous and straightforward. Using a single support, the same film can be simultaneously “projected” on two different screens with two different soundtracks, for example the original version and a version dubbed into the language of the local audience. It is not necessary to produce two different copies of the film. Did you know that, for the average Hollywood production, the cost of the raw film alone amounts to 12 million dollars? In the long term, therefore, overall costs will decrease with no change in quality, and the laws of competition will ensure that that decrease is passed on to the consumer.

So the arrival of D-cinema is like bringing television to the big screen...

To a certain extent, yes. D-cinema embodies the versatility of the electronic medium. Cinemas will be able to offer more than just films — for example, the high definition, big screen rebroadcasting of sporting and cultural events — while preserving their status as a place we go to for enjoyment. For we choose to go out to the cinema; it is not simply there in our living room. However, as has already been made possible to some extent by television, D-cinema will also have applications in the fields of education (training), industry (business seminars) and health. The combination of an electronic medium and modern means of transmission (satellites in particular) makes for a degree of coverage of rural and sparsely populated areas that even television has not achieved.

Ah, now there’s an interesting question! As I have said, working within the ITU framework is no easy matter, particularly in the field of television. However, as you know, there are strong and divergent regional interests in this industry. To my mind, ITU is the only institutionally credible organization which, being an equitable forum, provides an acceptable platform for discussion, enabling the different parties to meet and negotiate. Furthermore, the project was launched by an ardent supporter of ITU, Professor Mark Krivocheev, who had found the copies of films received in cities far away from the capital, Moscow, to be of very poor quality. It was this that gave him the idea for the project.