From the article:
When we went to our seats, the wait staff let us know that despite the fact that the previews were playing, we wouldn’t know until the movie actually started whether we could see the film or not. If it didn’t work, the screen would just turn black. Luckily, the film went through without a hitch.
Good news! Sony has exited the business, and its basically Alamo’s fault they didn’t move faster on their vendor change.
These are all accounts I saw on The Verge and I cannot independently verify them.
I know these are issues with any tech but the amount of expertise and culture around 70mm film at least guarantees its continued adoption for some.
Ah, so “Company provided service, but then ditched it and now theatres are left to buy more expensive (and likely locked down) hardware in hopes the next company doesn’t pull the rug on them again”
Companies exiting a market and leaving clients/customers without their service isn’t a new thing. Was happening well before DRM was even thought of, let alone implemented. And still happens now. Polaroid leaving the instant photo market comes to mind.