In a recent issue of High Technology magazine, Jack Valente, President of the Motion Picture Association of America, stated that in order to compete, theatres must "provide an epic viewing experience that cannot be duplicated on a VCR - otherwise they're going to be out of business."

      Despite these expressed concerns, the film industry has shown little interest in technological research and development. The last major change in the neighbourhood cinema was the introduction of 70 mm film in 1956. Even that undramatic change has had little penetration into mainline cinema. Thirty years later, 90 per cent of films are still shot and projected in 35 mm.