Large Format/"Premium" Theaters (IMAX 15/70, Digital IMAX, XD, ETX, RPX, etc.)

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

There seems to be some confusion regarding Large Format/"Premium" Theaters, so I'm hoping that one big mega-thread will answer any and all questions for Blu-ray.com Forum Members. Note: This is a thread about screen sizes, NOT shooting formats.

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IMAX 15/70 (aka Real IMAX)
IMAX 15/70 theaters tend to be associated with museums or other educational facilities. They were originally designed to showcase documentaries running for less than an hour (due to equipment limitations). The screen aspect ratio is 1.44:1, similar to the 1.33:1 of old movies/TV shows.

They are now capable of showing feature films with longer running times, though due to the enormous screen sizes, they still project film rather than digital video since digital video projectors are not able to be used without a loss in resolution or focus in order to fill the screen (current as of 2012).

http://www.imax.com/

http://www.lfexaminer.com/theaUSA.htm

Be forewarned, though, that some theaters that are listed as 15/70 are actually small Digital IMAX venues that recently added a film projector in order to show The Dark Knight Rises in 1.44:1.

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Digital IMAX (aka Fake IMAX, LieMAX, etc.)
This is a licensing/certification business that IMAX Corp created. Basically, a regular auditorium is modified to have the screen brought closer to the seats and to have the screen fit from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. The screen aspect ratio is 1.78:1 (like 16x9 TVs), so for movies that were shot with IMAX cameras (The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Mission Impossible -- Ghost Protocol, etc.), you only see 1.78:1 rather than the full 1.44:1.



IMAX 3D

[Show spoiler]

IMAX Classic (or Real IMAX)

[Show spoiler]

IMAX Dome

[Show spoiler]

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Some movie theater chains have created their own "premium" auditoriums. The screens stretch from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. This is a way for the chains to bypass paying licensing fees to IMAX but still offer "large format" viewing. This also means that you don't get to see shifting aspect ratios (TDK, TDKR, MI4, etc.) or IMAX versions (such as Skyfall).


AMC ETX (Enhanced Theatre Experience)
http://www.amctheatres.com/etx


Cinemark XD (Extreme Digital)
http://www.cinemark.com/theatres.aspx?type=1


Regal/United Artists/Edwards RPX (Regal Premium Experience)
http://www.regmovies.com/Theatres/RPX

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Real IMAX
Of the Real IMAX screens in Texas, I have seen movies in Austin's Bob Bullock Museum, Houston's Edwards Marq*E, and the San Antonio Riverwalk.

Austin Bob Bullock IMAX -- Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol (shifts from 2.39:1 to 1.44:1), The Dark Knight Rises (shifts from 2.39:1 to 1.44:1), Skyfall (constant 1.90:1 instead of 2.39:1 in regular theaters), Star Trek (35mm), Iron Man 2 (35mm)

Houston Edwards Marq*E IMAX -- Spider-man (35mm), Minority Report (35mm)

San Antonio Riverside IMAX -- True Lies (35mm), King Kong (35mm)
(I stopped going to San Antonio's Riverside IMAX b/c the King Kong showing was severely underlit. It felt like the projector was using a candle instead of a lightbulb. To be fair, I haven't had a chance to go there in several years.)

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I have seen movies in AMC, Cinemark, and Regal theaters in the Austin, Dallas, and Houston areas. Here's what I've noticed:

AMC
At NorthPark Mall in Dallas, the IMAX and ETX screens appear to be about the same size.

What I've seen:
AMC NorthPark Digital IMAX -- The Dark Knight Rises (shifts from 2.39:1 to 1.78:1)
AMC NorthPark ETX -- Flight
AMC NorthPark regular auditorium -- Skyfall (the screen was not much smaller than the Digital IMAX or ETX screens)


Cinemark
Cinemark's XD screens tend to be quite large -- certainly larger than AMC's ETX screens here in North Dallas. However, I remember when Cinemark first built Tinseltown megaplexes in Houston, and each of those megaplexes had at least two large screens. They were "XD" sized long before Cinemark created the XD brand. In essence, you got the XD experience before Cinemark started charging extra money for it.

The Cinemark IMAX in Dallas on Webb Chapel used to be a digital-only screen, but they added a film projector to show The Dark Knight Rises in 15/70 1.44:1.

What I've seen:
Cinemark Legacy XD -- The Dark Knight Rises (no aspect ratio changes), Snow White and the Huntsman, Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (Unfortunately, a lot of the movie was out of focus.)
Cinemark Webb Chapel IMAX -- The Hunger Games (digital, Lionsgate refused to make film prints for any exhibitor)
(Note: The screen is larger than what they use at AMC NorthPark, but it's still much smaller than the Real IMAX screens in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio.)


Regal
The Greenway Plaza Edwards theater is next to a large office complex, and those screens in general are smaller than the ones in the Edwards Marq*E (which is a stand-alone building located at the end of an open-air shopping center).

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Cinemark XD and The Hobbit in 48 frames per second:

http://www.cinemark.com/Cinemark-Hobbit-HFR3D-FAQ

[pagemaster]

Originally Posted by blu-ray_girl_fan

they still project film rather than digital video since digital video projectors are not able to be used without a loss in resolution or focus in order to fill the screen (current as of 2012).

Some original 15/70 cinemas can do both 15/70 and Digital, the digital projectors were added to the cinema.

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Originally Posted by pagemaster

Some original 15/70 cinemas can do both 15/70 and Digital, the digital projectors were added to the cinema.

Those are probably the ones with smaller screens, then. See Post #2 (Cinemark Webb Chapel).

[pagemaster]

Originally Posted by blu-ray_girl_fan

Those are probably the ones with smaller screens, then. See Post #2 (Cinemark Webb Chapel).

That is possible, but the screen are still 7 stories by 5 stories.

[pagemaster]

Originally Posted by blu-ray_girl_fan

Digital IMAX (aka Fake IMAX, LieMAX, etc.)
This is a licensing/certification business that IMAX Corp created. Basically, a regular auditorium is modified to have the screen brought closer to the seats and to have the screen fit from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. The screen aspect ratio is 1.78:1 (like 16x9 TVs), so for movies that were shot with IMAX cameras (The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Mission Impossible -- Ghost Protocol, etc.), you only see 1.78:1 rather than the full 1.44:1.

Not exactly true. Some 15/70 original IMAX cinemas also show digital IMAX presentations.

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Originally Posted by pagemaster

That is possible, but the screen are still 7 stories by 5 stories.

Originally Posted by pagemaster

Not exactly true. Some 15/70 original IMAX cinemas also show digital IMAX presentations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMAX#Digital_IMAX

That's not possible b/c digital projectors capable of throwing on the largest screens will not be installed until Fourth Quarter 2013 at the earliest.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-0...k-patents.html

Theaters that show both film and digital are retrofits.

http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjourn...89970b540cb2de

[pagemaster]

Originally Posted by blu-ray_girl_fan

Theaters that show both film and digital are retrofits.

Absolutely NOT true, there are a number of them, for instance, the Famous Player 10 in Mississauga Ontario has a 15/70 IMAX screen that was built in 1998. Today, the theatre features both 15/70 and Digital DCP, the DCP is wheeled on a rail system when they features in 15/70 are not available.

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Originally Posted by pagemaster

Absolutely NOT true, there are a number of them, for instance, the Famous Player 10 in Mississauga Ontario has a 15/70 IMAX screen that was built in 1998. Today, the theatre features both 15/70 and Digital DCP, the DCP is wheeled on a rail system when they features in 15/70 are not available.

So, somehow, they were able to accelerate the production of the equipment by a year?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-0...k-patents.html

The system, which uses two projectors and incorporates Mississauga, Ontario-based Imax’s image-enhancing technology, will allow movies to be shown on screens 120 feet wide or more. It will be available in the fourth quarter of 2013, said Greg Foster, chairman and president of filmed entertainment.

(It may be possible that the Mississauga theater is a "testing site" for the new system; meaning, they're testing it there before they install the digital projectors at other Real IMAX locations.)

[BD3Dfan]

The IMAX 15/70-Digi rail system does exist, as it was installed into the BFI IMAX. I don't have access to the article since it wasn't a recent development, but BFI said that they were going to use the rail system until the new projection system is ready. But this did happen.

I'd figure the news isn't really easy to get to now, so as to enact IMAX's wishes of making it hard to differeniate between its original and Digital presentations, since according to them, they're all the same.

EDIT: Here's a link to an FAQ for the BFI IMAX. The question: 'Has BFI IMAX been converted to a digital IMAX format? Will there be any reduction in the size of the screen?' states that:

[Show spoiler]"During these two weeks, an IMAX 3D Digital projector was also installed alongside the IMAX film-based 3D projector, so that the BFI IMAX now has the option to present all IMAX DMR films. The plan will be to show 70mm film prints whenever available until IMAX unveil their brand new laser-based projection system that can fully take the place of 15/70 film."

. I spoilered the answer so the post doesn't take too much room up.

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Originally Posted by BD3Dfan

The IMAX 15/70-Digi rail system does exist, as it was installed into the BFI IMAX. I don't have access to the article since it wasn't a recent development, but BFI said that they were going to use the rail system until the new projection system is ready. But this did happen.

I'd figure the news isn't really easy to get to now, so as to enact IMAX's wishes of making it hard to differeniate between its original and Digital presentations, since according to them, they're all the same.

EDIT: Here's a link to an FAQ for the BFI IMAX. The question: 'Has BFI IMAX been converted to a digital IMAX format? Will there be any reduction in the size of the screen?' states that:

[Show spoiler]"During these two weeks, an IMAX 3D Digital projector was also installed alongside the IMAX film-based 3D projector, so that the BFI IMAX now has the option to present all IMAX DMR films. The plan will be to show 70mm film prints whenever available until IMAX unveil their brand new laser-based projection system that can fully take the place of 15/70 film."

. I spoilered the answer so the post doesn't take too much room up.

That is absolutely astonishing, then, in that it makes me wonder if a different, smaller screen is somehow brought into the auditorium when the digital projector is used?

Edit: Well, guess what? A new screen WAS installed! LOL!!!

We installed a brand new screen in July. The new IMAX screen was made in Canada and once unpacked it took a team of ten strong riggers to haul the 800kg of perforated vinyl up the full 20 metres height of the screen under the supervision of an IMAX engineer.

20m tall would be smaller than the Real IMAX in NYC.

[BD3Dfan]

Originally Posted by blu-ray_girl_fan

20m tall would be smaller than the Real IMAX in NYC.

The BFI IMAX is said to be the biggest cinema screen in Britain, so it doesn't really count as 'in the world'. The biggest IMAX screen in the world would be the one in Sydney, Australia.

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Originally Posted by BD3Dfan

The BFI IMAX is said to be the biggest cinema screen in Britain, so it doesn't really count as 'in the world'. The biggest IMAX screen in the world would be the one in Sydney, Australia.

Yeah, that makes more and more sense of what pagemaster wrote, then -- some of the smaller Real IMAX screens are getting temporary digital projectors while the largest screens have to wait for the new machines that can project without a loss in quality.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IMAX_venues

[Nerdkiller likes BD]

I think what really matters to me, is what res the laser projector is going to be. If it's anything around 4K, then I don't think it should be right for the large IMAX screens. It should be at least 8K or more.

[strumdogg]

Originally Posted by blu-ray_girl_fan

[Show spoiler]There seems to be some confusion regarding Large Format/"Premium" Theaters, so I'm hoping that one big mega-thread will answer any and all questions for Blu-ray.com Forum Members.

--------------------------------------------------

IMAX 15/70 (aka Real IMAX)
IMAX 15/70 theaters tend to be associated with museums or other educational facilities. They were originally designed to showcase documentaries running for less than an hour (due to equipment limitations). The screen aspect ratio is 1.44:1, similar to the 1.33:1 of old movies/TV shows.

They are now capable of showing feature films with longer running times, though due to the enormous screen sizes, they still project film rather than digital video since digital video projectors are not able to be used without a loss in resolution or focus in order to fill the screen (current as of 2012).

http://www.imax.com/

http://www.lfexaminer.com/theaUSA.htm

Be forewarned, though, that some theaters that are listed as 15/70 are actually small Digital IMAX venues that recently added a film projector in order to show The Dark Knight Rises in 1.44:1.

[Show spoiler]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3s5o0lBhY0

--------------------------------------------------


Digital IMAX (aka Fake IMAX, LieMAX, etc.)
This is a licensing/certification business that IMAX Corp created. Basically, a regular auditorium is modified to have the screen brought closer to the seats and to have the screen fit from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. The screen aspect ratio is 1.78:1 (like 16x9 TVs), so for movies that were shot with IMAX cameras (The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Mission Impossible -- Ghost Protocol, etc.), you only see 1.78:1 rather than the full 1.44:1.



--------------------------------------------------

Some movie theater chains have created their own "premium" auditoriums. The screens stretch from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. This is a way for the chains to bypass paying licensing fees to IMAX but still offer "large format" viewing. This also means that you don't get to see shifting aspect ratios (TDK, TDKR, MI4, etc.) or IMAX versions (such as Skyfall).


AMC ETX (Enhanced Theatre Experience)
http://www.amctheatres.com/etx

[Show spoiler]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SV4vxNA3OI

Cinemark XD (Extreme Digital)
http://www.cinemark.com/theatres.aspx?type=1

[Show spoiler]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0euyqfNblmc

[Show spoiler]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sy6CtnG6z4

Regal/United Artists/Edwards RPX (Regal Premium Experience)
http://www.regmovies.com/Theatres/RPX

[Show spoiler]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuU3Rmni3ak

Thanks BGF! This is a great idea for a thread. Just to add, this is how IMAX differentiates the types of available screens (i.e. if it doesn't fall into these categories, it's not IMAX):

IMAX 3D

[Show spoiler]

IMAX Classic (or Real IMAX)

[Show spoiler]

IMAX Dome

[Show spoiler]

When viewing any film, I've always said my default position is to go with what the creators intended. If they chose to shoot their film for IMAX, then that's how it should be viewed.

[Col. Zombie]

Originally Posted by blu-ray_girl_fan

Cinemark XD and The Hobbit in 48 frames per second:

http://www.cinemark.com/Cinemark-Hobbit-HFR3D-FAQ

Yup! I've already bought my tickets for the 12/14, 10:40 AM screening in Pflugerville.

[TitusTroy]

should sticky this thread for everyone to take notice of...IMAX 15/70 is the only 'real' form of IMAX...all the other IMAX theaters that have popped up are 'fake' IMAX and a total $$ grab to dupe people into paying IMAX prices for a less then ideal IMAX experience...in NYC there's only 1 theater that has 15/70 and is the only 1 I go to for IMAX (but I also only see an IMAX movie only if it was filmed with IMAX cameras)

now with HFR added to the mix it will just add more confusion for movie goers who are not familiar with all the latest technology

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012...x-dolby-atmos/

[Flatnate]

This is a great thread idea! I have been following all of this now for several years. Ever since I saw Star Trek on "liemax". Thanks for compiling all of this.

I have to echo the sentiments of others, laser light source projectors are neat and all, but to drop the 15/70 projectors for 4K digital just makes my stomach curdle. I'd be comforted if Texas Instruments made an 8K DLP chip and the retrofit would consist of an 8k DLP double stack (along side the 15/70mm) but.... 4k is woefully inadequate on a traditional IMAX size screen. I made sure to see Prometheus on 15/70, and I try to visit real IMAX every chance I can while it is still around.

Quick edit:

I or someone should compile a list of the remaining theaters that still have the ability to project five perf 70mm, three strip Cinerama, or any other old "Large film format" projection system.

For instance the Seatttle Cinerama is still capable of projecting three strip Cinerama, 70mm, 35mm, as well as the new 4K Christie DLP projector.

[42041]

Originally Posted by Nerdkiller likes BD

I think what really matters to me, is what res the laser projector is going to be. If it's anything around 4K, then I don't think it should be right for the large IMAX screens. It should be at least 8K or more.

The prototype they demonstrated was 4K.
The technology to digitally deliver anything approaching the resolution of an analog 15perf/70mm print isn't in place yet. But then again, barely anyone shoots 15/70.