Qube Cinema

Qube Cinema provides the ultimate combination of quality, reliability, ease-of-use, security and flexibility at a price-point that finally makes digital cinema practical. Designed from the ground up to operate in mission-critical applications, the architecture of the Qube system is extremely powerful and modular. Being almost entirely software based allows the Qube system to leverage developments in the computer industry to bring cinemas a cost-effective professional product.

The second generation Qube software is database driven with a flexible core media architecture that works with multiple copies of picture, sound, subtitling and metadata files stored on local and shared central storage systems. Qube Cinema is based on the modular Microsoft Windows XP Embedded Operating System to maximize reliability and security while deriving benefit from Microsoft's powerful DirectShow architecture.

Qube Cinema is standards-based and designed for interoperability with products from several manufacturers from around the world. The system uses MXF packaging for media files and xml-based compositions with 128-bit AES encryption for media and RSA encryption for keys.

The base system handles high bit-rate MPEG-2 pictures and also supports Windows Media 9 and optionally MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs. Audio is uncompressed 16-bit or 24-bit at 48KHz and 96KHz. Support for M-JPEG2000 is in the works as well and upgrades will be available at attractive prices. Whether for pre-show or feature playback, Qube Cinema has the flexibility to support it all.

Qube Cinema supports subtitling in the TI CineCanvas™ file format. Subtitles can be internally rendered or sent along with timing information to a DLP Cinema™ projector over Ethernet. Media transport is possible using portable USB-2 or 1394a/b hard drives, high-speed data lines and satellite multicast transmissions. The QubeCentral system manages back-end operations and makes scheduling of shows and commercials easy. It also securely handles media and access control key delivery. The QubeCentral system provides password-protected online access to as-run logs and the health status of units in the field.