NEC and Ballantyne of Omaha Showcase Robust Digital Cinema Technology for Drive-In Movie Theatres; NEC STARUS NC2500S Projector on Display for United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association Members from across the United States

Business Wire, May 17, 2006

BURBANK, Calif. & OMAHA, Neb. -- NEC Solutions (America), Inc. today announced its NEC STARUS(TM) NC2500S Digital Cinema projector will showcase an exclusive digital cinema demo this evening for drive-in theatre owners across the U.S. NEC and their partner Strong Digital, a division of Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. (Amex: BTN), will unveil the limitless potential of digital cinema technology to members of the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association (UDITOA) attending the co-sponsored event hosted by Transit Drive-In located in Lockport, NY.

NEC's STARUS NC2500S, the world's brightest projector with DLP Cinema(R) technology from Texas Instruments(R), will be projecting Chronicles of Narnia as well as some familiar drive-in material, proving that digital cinema delivers evenly illuminated, high contrast digital images to large venues. Strong Digital will be supplying and installing both the NEC STARUS NC2500S Digital Cinema projector and the JPEG2000-enabled QuVIS(R) Cinema Player, which securely stores and plays the content.

"NEC Digital Cinema couldn't be happier participating in this event as we know how motivated members of the Drive-In Theatre Owners Association are in delivering an excellent entertainment experience to their customers," said Kurt Schwenk, general manager, Digital Cinema Division of NEC Solutions (America). "We believe the STARUS NC2500S is the only projector on the market powerful enough to accommodate drive-in theatres, typically the largest screens in the movie industry. We look forward to demonstrating the brightness, contrast, and overall image quality that our projector delivers at the Transit Drive-In."

Cinema exhibition includes nearly 400 drive-in movie theatres across America. The drive-in digital cinema event, hosting over 60 UDITOA members and theatre technicians, will represent roughly 45 drive-in locations that project on nearly 80 screens. The STARUS NC2500S will be put to the test, as the digital cinema images will be projected at an incremental range of screen sizes. Technicians will be taking light measurements at each screen size to prove the viability of digital projection for the drive-in theatre marketplace.

"The reason I'm hosting this event is to show that digital cinema is the next step drive-in theatres need to take to deliver quality pictures for its customers," said Rick Cohen, owner and manager of Transit Drive-In. "Many of my colleagues, myself included, have seen the limitations of film as it can handle only so much light before it burns up. NEC's digital cinema technology, behind its powerful STARUS NC2500S projectors, allows drive-ins to show movies countless times without degradation and brightness that can overcome outdoor theatre elements."

Outdoor movie venues typically have to manage multiple environmental elements such as ambient lighting from the moon or surrounding businesses. The NEC STARUS NC2500S is the world's brightest DLP Cinema projector for large-sized screens 49 feet and wider and is powerful enough to accommodate outdoor venues by delivering 2K resolution and high contrast ratios (2000:1). The STARUS NC2500S digital cinema projector is easy to operate and requires minimal maintenance. It can achieve all of the industry required standards on the largest cinema screens, casting a remarkable digital image and delivering amplified brightness, sharper graphics and eye-catching color.

About NEC Solutions (America)

NEC Solutions (America), Inc. is a premier provider of integrated solutions for the Connected Enterprise in North America. As an affiliate of NEC Corporation (NASDAQ:NIPNY) (FTSE:6701q.1), NEC Solutions (America) taps into a global resource network to help clients leverage technology to achieve a competitive edge. From corporate performance management and biometric security solutions to digital cinema and in-theatre advertising systems, visual displays and server solutions, the expertise is delivered with the personal attention needed to address individual situations. With headquarters in Rancho Cordova, California, NEC Solutions (America) serves a wide range of markets, including the healthcare and public safety, financial services, cinema, retail and manufacturing markets. Information regarding NEC Solutions (America) can be found at www.necsam.com.

STARUS is a trademark of NEC Solutions (America), Inc. DLP and DLP Cinema are registered trademarks of Texas Instruments. All other trademarks are of the respective owners. (C)2006 NEC Solutions (America), Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Ballantyne of Omaha

Ballantyne is a leading U.S. supplier of commercial motion picture equipment including digital cinema and in-theater advertising products. The Company also supplies specialty projection equipment utilized by major theater chains and location-based entertainment providers and manufactures specialty entertainment lighting products used at top arenas, television and motion picture production studios, theme parks and architectural sites around the world.