STM-100Discontinued
Theatre Management System software for use with Digital Cinema Projectors
Gallery
Overview
The STM-100 Theatre Management System (TMS) enables central management of a cinema complex’s multiple digital projection systems. Users can create show playlists (SPLs) for each individual auditorium and schedule and manage them from a single central TMS workstation, simplifying management and improving efficiency. The system then handles content ingest and transfer to projectors across the complex, doing away with the need to load content manually on to multiple projectors.
Cinema complexes may have invested in a number of different digital cinema servers to fulfil the requirement to project digital 3D. TMS protects this investment. Along with Sony media blocks, Dolby and Doremi digital cinema servers may be incorporated into the TMS centralised system without any disruption to workflow.
TMS operates as part of the Sony CHIPS (central hub for integrated program storage) system. The TMS/CHIPS system comprises the TMS application server running the application software, connected to a library server offering 15Tb storage space for movies, trailer and advertisements. A TMS client PC allows for a single point of operation of the TMS.
Cinema complexes may have invested in a number of different digital cinema servers to fulfil the requirement to project digital 3D. TMS protects this investment. Along with Sony media blocks, Dolby and Doremi digital cinema servers may be incorporated into the TMS centralised system without any disruption to workflow.
TMS operates as part of the Sony CHIPS (central hub for integrated program storage) system. The TMS/CHIPS system comprises the TMS application server running the application software, connected to a library server offering 15Tb storage space for movies, trailer and advertisements. A TMS client PC allows for a single point of operation of the TMS.
Features
Centralised content management
Users can control and manage the entire digital projection network within a cinema complex from a single TMS workstation. TMS offers the convenience of a central library of all multiplex content from trailers to movies. Up to 32 digital cinema projection systems may be controlled at one time. The system handles management and ingestion of DCPs (digital content package) and KDM (key delivery message) security keys and transfer to projectors across the complex. TMS automatically generates a ‘to do’ list for the operator to ensure relevant content is ingested and will warn of missing content for an auditorium as the schedule deadline approaches. The standard system offers a huge 15Tb of storage and this may be scaled up further.
Individual show playlist creation
Show playlists (SPLs) consist of the pre-show content, such as adverts and trailers, and the main feature. They also contain automation cues relating to the projector, such as ‘power on’ or ‘lamp off’, and cues relating to house automation, such as house lighting or masking. Users can create SPLs for each individual auditorium, allowing for granular management of large cinema complexes. Creating SPLs centrally is significantly more efficient than creating SPLs in the traditional way, on a projector-by-projector basis. Content and cues can be applied to the SPL using an intuitive graphical user interface. Users can create content packs for more streamlined SPL creation. A content pack might contain a number of advertisements, for example.
Show playlist re-use
TMS simplifies the creation of SPLs by allowing the user to adapt an existing SPL, reusing the content layout and automation cues of a previously created SPL. Creating a new show can be as simple as dragging and dropping the movie, trailers and advertisements onto the show timeline, saving time and reducing complexity.
Schedule management
For increased efficiency, it is easy to schedule and manage show playlists centrally. Once an SPL is scheduled the related DCP content and KDMs will be transferred automatically to the desired projector media block. TMS can also import box office data files data directly from a number of point of sale (POS) systems to streamline management processes.
Supports Sony, Dolby and Doremi digital cinema servers
TMS supports Doremi DCP2000 v1.2.1+ and Dolby DSS200 v4.1.3+ digital cinema servers as well as the Sony media block, protecting the investment cinema complexes have made in digital cinema servers. It is transparent to the TMS user whether the digital cinema server is Sony, Dolby or Doremi as the operation is exactly the same.
Centralised monitoring
A traffic light-based graphical user interface reports the operational status of all auditoriums on the network in real time, allowing the user to see at a glance the condition of each projector and the overall system. The user can see the next scheduled item for each auditorium, the status of the content playing currently and the ingest status, that is the status of the content as it transfers to an individual projector. Up to 32 screens in the same complex can be monitored at one time.
Alternative content facility
While the TMS handles all the projection operations for digital cinema files, alternative content such as live events via satellite or replay from VTRs, games consoles or blu-ray may be made available via the alternative content input on the projector head within the individual auditorium projection room.