Texas Instruments reported that worldwide adoption of DLP Cinema (www.dlpcinema.com) screens reached 74,965 in 2012 (up from 51,620), representing a 45 percent boost. Globally 40,178 of those screens are 3D-capable, a 33 percent increase from last year’s figure of 30,290.

The total of DLP Cinema worldwide screens does not include IMAX digital powered by DLP Cinema, which separately reached 529 theatres globally (300 in North America, and 229 internationally), including over 100 theatres in China. IMAX plans to open 150 more theatres in the next couple of years.

Demand for DLP Cinema digital projection remained exceptionally high in China in the 12-month timeframe between Dec. 1, 2011 and Nov. 30, 2012. The total number of DLP Cinema screens moved to 12,029 from 7,745, once again positioning China as the leading adopter of digital cinema throughout the Asia-Pacific, with 57 percent of the DLP Cinema screens in the entire region. Of those screens, 73 percent (8,783) are enabled to show 3D content. As a whole, the Asia-Pacific region grew to 21,126 DLP Cinema screens (13,679 as 3D-enabled) for 58 and 64 percent increases respectively during the 12-month period surveyed.

Exhibitors across Europe, the Middle East and Africa also continued the move to digital in their theatres during the past year, reaching 24,715 DLP Cinema screens total and 13,161 for 3D, shifting upward 40 and 21 percent. Latin American screens powered by DLP Cinema moved to 4,481 for an 85 percent increase, and with 3D, moved to 2,992 screens (28 percent growth).

“It is an exciting time in the cinema industry. Driven by the end of the film era, theatres converted to DLP Cinema at a record pace in 2012 in every region, and especially in the Asia-Pacific,” said Dave Duncan, business manager of DLP Cinema & Professional Display Products for Texas Instruments. “Many companies have worked with distributors and exhibitors to convert an entire industry to digital technology, but there’s still much to be accomplished with independently owned cinemas, art houses and cinemas in emerging markets. It’s gratifying to hear the positive responses from many of the owners that are now able to convert with our new S2K chipset for small screens. Our licensed partners, Barco, Christie and NEC, are experiencing strong and even record-breaking demand for their economical S2K-powered projectors.”