Real Image : With 500 DTS theatres in India and over 126 Indian films, are you happy with the performance of the format here?
Jim Murray : Absolutely. But there's still a long way to go. Cinema owners and patrons enjoy DTS sound and we are very pleased to be supporting the industry and bringing the latest technology which is sweeping the world to the patrons of Indian cinema.
Real Image : To what would you attribute the success of the format in India?
Jim Murray : I'd put it down to a few factors. First, people around the world as well as people in India have come back to the big screen because of DTS sound, special effects and the comfort of cinema complexes and halls. Second, this could not have been done without our agents Real Image working tirelessly to introduce the DTS digital sound format to India. Third, the theatre-going patrons have responded to DTS digital sound with excitement. Indian patrons have a real passion for the movies, so the introduction of DTS digital sound has enhanced their movie-going experience. Also, the support from producers, directors, laboratories, studios, distributors and cinema owners has been nothing less than exceptional.
Real Image : What are the advantages of DTS over Dolby?
Jim Murray : DTS delivers the highest quality digital sound possible. It has a wider dynamic range. Also, DTS is on disc and it doesn't matter how many times the movie is played, the sound is still heard the way the movie-makers intended it to be heard. DTS is heard as though it is the first time it is being played. The conditions in India lend themselves to disc. Because there is no digital data on the film itself, there is no degradation in the sound quality over time. Because DTS has multi-language capabilities, one print can be played in any language by merely changing disks. This cuts down on print costs, making DTS the most cost-effective digital system available.
Real Image : What does it cost to convert a theatre to DTS as compared to Dolby Digital?
Jim Murray : DTS is more cost-effective. In converting theatres, you have to consider the existing equipment and then introduce the digital sound aspect. If the equipment meets a good standard then the digital sound costs are kept to a minimum.
Real Image : How far have local conditions affected the performance of DTS in India? What steps have been taken to counter these conditions?
Jim Murray : The mains frequency that DTS equipment was originally designed for was far less than that in rural India. DTS modified the units so as to be able to work within a wider range. The DTS units sold in India have a power supply that is customised to suit the local range of voltages.
Real Image : How has the DTS format been accepted worldwide?
Jim Murray : Very, very well. DTS was founded in 1993 by a group of leading audio engineers, along with Steven Spielberg and Universal Pictures, with the primary goal of allowing audiences to experience sound in a motion picture the way the filmmaker intended. Over 18,200 screens worldwide now feature DTS digital sound. The installation base is growing at the rate of over 200 units per month. DTS encoded films now include ALL Universal, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., New Line and MGM/UA releases. And selected films from Paramount, Buena Vista, Fox, Sony, Miramax, Gramercy, Destination and Artisan are now releasing in DTS, as well. Clearly, studios and filmmakers around the world are making DTS their preferred choice for digital sound.
At this year's Academy Awards, the five films nominated for Oscars in the sound category were DTS releases: "Saving Private Ryan", "Shakespeare in Love", "The Thin Red Line", "Armageddon" and "The Mask of Zorro".
Real Image : What about DTS-ES?
Jim Murray : The reaction to DTS-ES has been very good and will increase even further with the release of more DTS-ES films. Upcoming films in the extended surround format include "Bats", "The Bone Collector", "Fight Club", "End of Days", "Toy Story 2" and "Minority Report". There's still some way to go and the patrons' reaction has been very positive. For the cinema owners wanting that extra back surround channel, ES is an exceptional product as the sound effects can literally sweep around the audience to provide a fully immersive and engrossing cinematic experience.
Real Image : Tell us about the new cinema processor from DTS.
Jim Murray : DTS is very excited about their new cinema processor, DTS 6-AD for the Indian market. DTS 6-AD incorporates mono, SR and "A" type optical formats, six-track analog input for external sources, and balanced/unbalanced outputs. Settings can be saved in the computer. There are built-in tools for cell alignment. DTS 6-AD is available in India now.
Real Image : What do you think of Indian theatres in general? Do you think that multiplexes are the way to go in India?
Jim Murray : I have been fortunate to have travelled extensively and assisted in the development and introduction of DTS sound in many cinema halls. Here, like everywhere else there is always room for improvement. In most parts of the world, cinemas are changing to multiplexes. Multiplexing has been proved very successful because it gives patrons a choice of movies, it becomes a great meeting place with amenities such as restaurants, coffee shops, etc., which all add to the experience of a night out at the movies. I truly believe that multiplexing will happen in a big way in India.
Real Image : With 500 DTS theatres in India and over 126 Indian films, are you happy with the performance of the format here?