UPDATE 1-Cineworld in 4 mln stg digital screens deal with NEC

* To add 74 more digital projectors

* Says deal to create largest 3D estate in the UK (Adds details)

Jan 26 (Reuters) - Britain's only quoted cinema chain Cineworld Group Plc (CINE.L) said on Monday it agreed to buy 74 digital projectors for 4 million pounds ($5.5 million) from technology firm NEC Corp (6701.T), doubling its digital screens across its estate.

The company, which operates cinema complexes throughout the UK and Ireland, said it would acquire 74 further digital projectors for 4 million pounds ($5.5 million), including equipment and installation costs.

Cineworld, which plans to have a total of 148 digital screens across its entire estate, said the deal would create the largest 3D estate of any cinema chain in the UK.

During 2009, 13 films are scheduled for release in 3D format including Walt Disney's Bolt and Toy Story 3D and 20th Century Fox's Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.

On Jan. 8, Cineworld had said it expected its 2008 earnings to be in line with market expectations, with revenue up 4.4 percent as the industry box office in the UK and Ireland grew 5 percent helped by strong releases. ($1=.7251 POUND) (Reporting by Tresa Sherin Morera in Bangalore; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier)