Abstract: A method includes designating at least three storage partitions on at least two logical drives, placing a first storage partition on a first of the logical drives adjacent to a second storage partition on a second of the logical drives separate from the first logical drives, and creating a third partition among both the first and second of the logical drives. The first, second and third partitions are balanced for storage access symmetry such that the drives bear equal storage placement.

Abstract: An automated theater warning technique makes use of a digital cinema projection system to provide a display of a visual message indicative of an emergency condition. Upon receipt of a trigger generated in response to an emergency condition, the digital cinema projection system automatically switches from displaying the feature presentation to displaying the visual message. The digital cinema projection system can advantageously display different messages responsive to different conditions.

Abstract: A method includes designating at least three storage partitions on at least two logical drives, placing a first storage partition on a first of the logical drives adjacent to a second storage partition on a second of the logical drives separate from the first logical drives, and creating a third partition among both the first and second of the logical drives. The first, second and third partitions are balanced for storage access symmetry such that the drives bear equal storage placement.

Abstract: A system and corresponding methods are provided for enabling the automatic generation of a slate using metadata. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a request to provide a user with a list of video media assets so the user can select a video media asset to generate a slate; providing the user with the list of video media assets and receiving a selected video media asset from the user; acquiring metadata associated with the selected video media asset, creating a preview of the slate by generating fields that are associated with the acquired metadata, generating the slate in response to the user's approval of the previewed slate; transmitting the slate to a video server; and editing the slate into the selected video media asset so the slate and the video media asset can be viewed in conjunction with each other, thereby providing the user (via the slate) with information about the video media asset such as the video media asset's name, duration, database location, etc.

Abstract: An automated theater warning technique makes use of a digital cinema projection system to provide a display of a visual message indicative of an emergency condition. Upon receipt of a trigger generated in response to an emergency condition, the digital cinema projection system automatically switches from displaying the feature presentation to displaying the visual message. The digital cinema projection system can advantageously display different messages responsive to different conditions.

Abstract: A system for a digital multiplex theater having a plurality of auditoriums includes a central server, playout servers, and an intelligent selection module. The central server has a local storage device configured to store digital cinema movies. The playout servers are each configured to playout the movies at a respective auditorium and have a respective local storage device configured to redundantly store the movies. The intelligent selection module selects a source for playing out, in an alternate auditorium in place of a scheduled auditorium, from a respective playout server in place of a scheduled playout server, a portion of a movie interrupted by a malfunction occurring at the scheduled auditorium. The selection is made from among any of the storage devices, and is based upon at least a current playing out ability of the scheduled playout server, and a playout schedule of the storage device at the alternate auditorium.

Abstract: A system and method for reviewing and checking cinema movies for completeness and conformity with exhibitor expectations in a time-saving and efficient manner. In one embodiment, a method for evaluating presentations is provided wherein for each presentation length, a reel time duration X is determined, points of interest are determined, and presentation length portions to be evaluated are selected as preferably including at least a duration of time which includes each of the determined points of interest. The selected portions may include a buffer portion, e.g., a period of time from about 5% of the total presentation length time before to about 5% of the total presentation length time after each of the determined points of interest. Another portion may be presentation length selected for evaluation which includes at least 10% of the total presentation length time. Such 10% selected portion is preferably selected from the center of each presentation length.

Abstract: A virtual film reader system and method includes a digital cinema server configured to render a presentation (124). A graphical user interface is coupled to the server which includes one or more virtual automation cue tracks (108) which define a temporal domain corresponding with the presentation (124). Cues (108) are positioned by a user employing the graphical user interface on the one or more tracks, the cues (108) corresponding to a time and duration of (104) the presentation (124) when an event is to occur.