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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, August 29, 2013 | 12 Everything old is new again Digital technology ensures drive-in tradition continues by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Previously, scratches on the film would show on the screen. With films used repeatedly, it didn't take long for moviegoers to notice them. The iconic drive-in theatres of yesteryear are being Now, the 14th showing of a movie looks just as reborn, thanks to digital technology. good as the first, said Allen. Last year, digital projectors replaced the old 35 Using a digital projector is far easier, too. mm projectors at Oakville's 5 Drive-in Theatre at A digital movie, which is about the size of a video2332 Ninth Line. cassette, is shipped to the theatre and is connected Since then, Brian Allen, vice president of Premier to the server of the digital projector. Theatres, which owns 5 Drive-in, says business has The studio then emails the theatre a key, which been booming. unlocks the movie download for the predetermined "We're probably going to have a record year in period of time. Oakville," he said last year after the change. "In the old days, you got the film in six or seven "The biggest thing is probably the weather, but I reels and you had to splice them all together and put think the conversion to digital has really helped us. them on one big reel," said Allen. It has helped us operationally, but more importantly "We used to get films where a third of the reel was the picture is amazing." missing and you wouldn't disAllen said the four drive-ins cover that until Friday night. owned by Premier Theatres Problems like that don't happen have all seen an increase in atanymore and that is huge." tendance -- 15-18 per cent -- Operationally, the theatre has since switching over. also changed. The digital projector, Allen Previously an employee had said, eliminates the myth asto stay with the 35 mm projecsociated with drive-in theatres tor to make sure it operated that says moviegoers must sacproperly. rifice sound and picture quality New digital projectors like this one have replaced The digital projector, Allen the familiar reel-to-reel models at area theatres. said, runs itself, meaning the for the drive-in experience. "We did a test right here on employee can attend to the screen number one and we put a piece of tape right needs of the customers once the movie is set up. down the middle and we ran identical trailers (one While Allen has embraced advancing projector with a 35 mm projector and one with a digital projec- technology, he continues to work to preserve the tor). Right when I saw that I said, `Let's order them, nostalgia of the drive-in experience. we have to do this,'" said Allen. Oakville's 5 Drive-in Theatre, which was built in "We never had any complaints with our 35, but 1960, features various 1950's and 60's motifs and when you contrast it with the digital, it was white 1960's music. versus yellow. With the digital, there was nuance to "What we're trying to do is create the atmosphere the blacks and whites where you had nothing before of that era of simplicity where people can come and and the colours for the animation were popping. I be themselves, but where we are offering all firsthad never seen that before." round movies," said Allen. Sound quality also took an unexpected jump with "You're kind of couching your releases with the O the conversion to digital, which Allen said simulates Canada, with the dancing hotdog, with the old clock DTS Surround Sound. from the '50s. Allen said the new system has also eliminated nu"All that stuff we put on screen is authentic and merous technical glitches that reduced film quality. people really respond to it." From left, Laurence Savoie, Daniella Fontaine and Bailey Hamilton enjoy a movie at Oakville's 5 Drive-in Theatre, which now features digital releases. | photos by Michael Ivanin ­ Special to the Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) www.oakville.ca Seniors Services Open Houses Learn about the diverse programs and services available for those who are 50+, as well as travel information, volunteer opportunities and upcoming special events. Complimentary refreshments will be served. Everyone welcome to attend! Wednesday, September 4, 2013 10 a.m.to noon Iroquois Ridge Older Adults Centre Iroquois Ridge Community Centre, 1051 Glenashton Drive For details call 905-338-4255, ext. 3745. Wednesday, September 4, 2013 1 to 3 p.m. Queen Elizabeth Park Older Adult Centre Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, 2302 Bridge Road For details call 905-845-6601, ext. 4673. Thursday, September 5, 2013 10 a.m. to noon Sir John Colborne Recreation Centre for Seniors, 1565 Old Lakeshore Road For details call 905-815-5960. Thursday, September 5, 2013 2 to 4 p.m. Oakville Seniors' Centre, 263 Kerr Street For details call 905-815-5966.