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

[Spike M.]

Originally Posted by Poya

I went to Citywalk personally and talked to the manager about their 70mm projector. They said that the laser will indeed be included but the 70mm will still be kept, and while Interstellar was the last 70mm print they received, it seems likely that they will receive more for Star Wars and Batman v Superman, since IMAX isn't completely throwing away celluloid and the president still loves film, not to mention that's the format the filmmakers want the audiences to see, so releasing only laser prints of them would be stupid.

I am lucky to live near AMC Burbank 16, where the Dolby Cinema resides. Watching with those dual 4K lasers and Atmos was a relevation and has to be the 4th best way to show a film (3rd is 35mm, 2nd is regular 70mm, and 1st is 70mm IMAX). I know these theaters are hard to find but they are expanding as fast as they can.

[Dreamliner330]

Originally Posted by Poya

I went to Citywalk personally and talked to the manager about their 70mm projector. They said that the laser will indeed be included but the 70mm will still be kept, and while Interstellar was the last 70mm print they received, it seems likely that they will receive more for Star Wars and Batman v Superman, since IMAX isn't completely throwing away celluloid and the president still loves film, not to mention that's the format the filmmakers want the audiences to see, so releasing only laser prints of them would be stupid.

I am lucky to live near AMC Burbank 16, where the Dolby Cinema resides. Watching with those dual 4K lasers and Atmos was a relevation and has to be the 4th best way to show a film (3rd is 35mm, 2nd is regular 70mm, and 1st is 70mm IMAX). I know these theaters are hard to find but they are expanding as fast as they can.

In Minnesota they replaced the 70mm projector on the one true IMAX screen with a 2K system.

I'd love Dolby Cinema and the Laser IMAX to get here, but I have a feeling that will be a long while....although, I wouldn't be surprised if AMC starts replacing their LIMAX rooms with DOLBY.

[Poya]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

In Minnesota they replaced the 70mm projector on the one true IMAX screen with a 2K system.

I'd love Dolby Cinema and the Laser IMAX to get here, but I have a feeling that will be a long while....although, I wouldn't be surprised if AMC starts replacing their LIMAX rooms with DOLBY.

Actually, I did a comparison with the Dolby Cinema version of Tomorrowland with the laser IMAX version. Dolby wins hands down. Not only does the object-based sound beat the 12 channel limitations, but the colors, the dynamic range, the detail, they all beat IMAX. Did the same for San Andreas and Ant-Man to see if it wasn't a one time thing and Dolby won them all. IMAX will soon go down the Cinerama way of they don't start improving.

[Dreamliner330]

Originally Posted by Poya

Actually, I did a comparison with the Dolby Cinema version of Tomorrowland with the laser IMAX version. Dolby wins hands down. Not only does the object-based sound beat the 12 channel limitations, but the colors, the dynamic range, the detail, they all beat IMAX. Did the same for Jurassic World, San Andreas, and Ant-Man to see if it wasn't a one time thing and Dolby won them all. IMAX will soon go down the Cinerama way of they don't start improving.

Memory is difficult unless A/B comparing unless the difference is enormous, bias sets in....and to be fair, you obviously don't like IMAX.

I also see you've drank the Object-based sound cool-aid hard, which is fine...because it is technically superior; but in order for you to notice some massive difference, the sound mixer really needs to be taking advantage of it and I'd be willing to bet most are not. (Most can't do 5.1 well and you think they are nailing 24/36+ channel Atmos...right)

I don't care either way, as long as I'm seeing it the best way possible. Some films are opened up for IMAX (even if they weren't shot IMAX, like Oblivion) so your seeing content in IMAX that you'll never see again.

Interstellar was a great example of using and displaying IMAX content. I saw it in 70mm IMAX four times, LIMAX once and stepped into a 4K room. I'd take LIMAX any day over a regular room.

I do bawk at 'DMR' but even with 4K, surprisingly a lot of movies are still being mastered in 2K.

I have to sit at least 50% back in a 2K IMAX room to not see pixels, but it's still bigger from that distance than many many other screens.

I found ONE Atmos theater I like and I'll be back there for Fantastic 4, but Rogue Nation I'll be seeing in IMAX.

I also emailed IMAX inquiring on the 4K upgrade path for digital IMAX theater because of the aspect ratio difference...I got reply that didn't really answer my question, (just gibberish on what states that weren't mine had it) so I'll have to try again next week.

[Poya]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

Memory is difficult unless A/B comparing unless the difference is enormous, bias sets in....and to be fair, you obviously don't like IMAX.

I also see you've drank the Object-based sound cool-aid hard, which is fine...because it is technically superior; but in order for you to notice some massive difference, the sound mixer really needs to be taking advantage of it and I'd be willing to bet most are not. (Most can't do 5.1 well and you think they are nailing 24/36+ channel Atmos...right)

I don't care either way, as long as I'm seeing it the best way possible. Some films are opened up for IMAX (even if they weren't shot IMAX, like Oblivion) so your seeing content in IMAX that you'll never see again.

Interstellar was a great example of using and displaying IMAX content. I saw it in 70mm IMAX four times, LIMAX once and stepped into a 4K room. I'd take LIMAX any day over a regular room.

I do bawk at 'DMR' but even with 4K, surprisingly a lot of movies are still being mastered in 2K.

I have to sit at least 50% back in a 2K IMAX room to not see pixels, but it's still bigger from that distance than many many other screens.

I found ONE Atmos theater I like and I'll be back there for Fantastic 4, but Rogue Nation I'll be seeing in IMAX.

I also emailed IMAX inquiring on the 4K upgrade path for digital IMAX theater because of the aspect ratio difference...I got reply that didn't really answer my question, (just gibberish on what states that weren't mine had it) so I'll have to try again next week.

I like IMAX. I just don't like what it has become. I understand they needed to get with the times, but I'm sure they would have enough money to still make 70mm prints for even their normal films.

Also, 2K upscaled to 4K looks better than just being shown through a 2K projector since the number of pixels will be indistinguishable in the upscale process. Though more films should be mastered in 4K, I agree.

Sure, some Atmos mixes haven't been up to par, since most have been upmixed rather than natively mixed, but the conversions have been getting better. The films I've mentioned make great use of the Atmos forma IMAX's channel based system just seems out of date and no where immersive.

There are films that do open up in IMAX but I don't care to be honest. It doesn't change the film for me, and in most cases, it distracts me since I feel that films should always be shown in the original aspect ratio the cinematographer specifically composed it for. It's different with Nolan and his DPs since they have it both ways when they format it.

I'm not biased. If Dolby screwed up, I would admit it. Brutal honesty is my speciality. I see both films in Dolby and IMAX in the same day to make better comparisons. It helps they are both very close to each other.

[Zhorik]

Originally Posted by Poya

I like IMAX. I just don't like what it has become. I understand they needed to get with the times, but I'm sure they would have enough money to still make 70mm prints for even their normal films.

Also, 2K upscaled to 4K looks better than just being shown through a 2K projector since the number of pixels will be indistinguishable in the upscale process. Though more films should be mastered in 4K, I agree.

Sure, some Atmos mixes haven't been up to par, since most have been upmixed rather than natively mixed, but the conversions have been getting better. The films I've mentioned make great use of the Atmos format, especially Jurassic World. IMAX's channel based system just seems out of date and no where immersive.

There are films that do open up in IMAX but I don't care to be honest. It doesn't change the film for me, and in most cases, it distracts me since I feel that films should always be shown in the original aspect ratio the cinematographer specifically composed it for. It's different with Nolan and his DPs since they have it both ways when they format it.

I'm not biased. If Dolby screwed up, I would admit it. Brutal honesty is my speciality. I see both films in Dolby and IMAX in the same day to make better comparisons. It helps they are both very close to each other.

Jurassic World was 7.1 PCM, not Atmos.

The advantage Imax 5.0 has is the consistency throughout majority of their cinemas (there will be cinemas with metallic and harsh highs). With franchise or independent cinema chains, the sound levels and eq between rooms will vary (sometimes wildly).

[Poya]

Originally Posted by Zhorik

Jurassic World was 7.1 PCM, not Atmos.

The advantage Imax 5.0 has is the consistency throughout majority of their cinemas (there will be cinemas with metallic and harsh highs). With franchise or independent cinema chains, the sound levels and eq between rooms will vary (sometimes wildly).

Funny. The ticket stub I received said it as Atmos. Must've been a misprint. My point still stands on the other films.

Sure, I respect IMAX's dedication to consistency, but the Atmos theaters I've been in, sure they could screw up easily, but I have yet to experience any faulty set ups of any kind in the theater I go to. Arclight was where I used to go for Atmos and they also dedicate themselves to consistency.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by Zhorik

Jurassic World was 7.1 PCM, not Atmos.

The advantage Imax 5.0 has is the consistency throughout majority of their cinemas (there will be cinemas with metallic and harsh highs). With franchise or independent cinema chains, the sound levels and eq between rooms will vary (sometimes wildly).

Never liked Atmos from day one, the single projection Mystery meat projectors are not consistent. They have very little quality control, the Cineplex near me cranks the sound level to 7.5 if it Atmos, 7.0 if it 7.1 and 8.0 if it is standard 5.1.

Worst thing ever about Atmos is that Cineplex will advertise most AVX movies as being in Atmos. Jurassic World was Atmos according to Cineplex. So was Interstellar. It's too bad Dolby won't do anything to stop Cineplex from doing this.

[Spike M.]

Originally Posted by Zhorik

Jurassic World was 7.1 PCM, not Atmos.

The advantage Imax 5.0 has is the consistency throughout majority of their cinemas (there will be cinemas with metallic and harsh highs). With franchise or independent cinema chains, the sound levels and eq between rooms will vary (sometimes wildly).

You mean IMAX 6.1?

Not that it matters, since Poya's using a 12.1 system for comparison.

Although if he's using the El Capitan as his basis, then blah. Every other Yelp review mentions how the screen isn't as big as you'd expect. Comparing Dolby Vision to Laser IMAX when Laser's are working with -a lot- more canvas is sort of a non-compete. A better test would be seeing how Laser's looked at something like the Citywalk IMAX vs something like that Dolby Vision theater that opened in Holland.

[Poya]

Originally Posted by Spike M.

You mean IMAX 6.1?

Not that it matters, since Poya's using a 12.1 system for comparison.

Although if he's using the El Capitan as his basis, then blah. Every other Yelp review mentions how the screen isn't as big as you'd expect. Comparing Dolby Vision to Laser IMAX when Laser's are working with -a lot- more canvas is sort of a non-compete. A better test would be seeing how Laser's looked at something like the Citywalk IMAX vs something like that Dolby Vision theater that opened in Holland.

I mentioned that I go to the AMC Burbank 16 for Dolby Cinema. The Laser IMAX I go to is in the TCL Chinese Theater. And Dolby Vision uses dual 4K laser projectors:

http://www.firstshowing.net/2015/dol...ojection-demo/

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by Spike M.

You mean IMAX 6.1?

Not that it matters, since Poya's using a 12.1 system for comparison.

Although if he's using the El Capitan as his basis, then blah. Every other Yelp review mentions how the screen isn't as big as you'd expect. Comparing Dolby Vision to Laser IMAX when Laser's are working with -a lot- more canvas is sort of a non-compete. A better test would be seeing how Laser's looked at something like the Citywalk IMAX vs something like that Dolby Vision theater that opened in Holland.

I heard those Dolby Cinema screens are not very big. Looks like Poya has confirmed that.

[ultraman352]

I don't know if this is the right thread, but apparently Cinemark is not using masking anymore, I went to see Vacation at the Cinemark by their headquarters in DFW and it was letterboxed throughout, it felt like I was watching a giant tv instead of the film, I could even hear MI5's sound bleeding through from next door

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

LIEMAX is still better than most. Finding a 4K Atmos theater with a big screen and bright image is difficult (I tried 3 before finding one).

LIEMAX is absolutely better than regular rooms, even if they have a 4K projector.

I'd rather watch Ant Man or Jurassic World in IMAX. Mad Max & Fantastic 4 are good Atmos titles.

Is IMAX still releasing 70mm prints? I got the impression Interstellar was the end. (Filmed in 70mm and released in 70mm are different)

IMAX is only good for 2D releases IMHO. I don't like 3D at all, so I will choose the theater brand 2D large format screen over 3D IMAX every time.

I hope one of these days IMAX will realize there are plenty of consumers out there who want a big screen without 3D. Nothing wrong with split showtimes between 2D/3D.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by Blu-Malibu2009

IMAX is only good for 2D releases IMHO. I don't like 3D at all, so I will choose the theater brand 2D large format screen over 3D IMAX every time.

I hope one of these days IMAX will realize there are plenty of consumers out there who want a big screen without 3D. Nothing wrong with split showtimes between 2D/3D.

I do not like 3D. But IMAX has by far the best 3D experience currently available.

[Spike M.]

Originally Posted by Poya

I mentioned that I go to the AMC Burbank 16 for Dolby Cinema. The Laser IMAX I go to is in the TCL Chinese Theater. And Dolby Vision uses dual 4K laser projectors:

http://www.firstshowing.net/2015/dol...ojection-demo/

I know they use dual laser's. And ah, okay.

What's the screen size like?

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by Spike M.

I know they use dual laser's. And ah, okay.

What's the screen size like?

The true Dolby Cinema screen is pretty small from what I have heard.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Spike M.

How would you rate the "power" of the new IMAX system vs Atmos? I noticed from my one Atmos experience and couple of experiences with the JBL 7.1 systems in the XD theaters (as well as a 7.1 showing of a movie with a Meyer sound system), that neither seemed as strong or robust as Interstellar in a proper IMAX theater. That plays huge for me when it comes to the "experience".

pretty much have to agree with this:

Originally Posted by MrsMiniver

IMAX on average is about 12,000 watts. Atmos can go to ridiculous levels. You will feel more IMAX bass in " non pit" auditoriums vs the auditoriums which have a pit.

Watts is power and that is what gives you good sound. But you must have a good mix and sound design team. Not volume levels.

As for Interstellar, it was specifically designed for IMAX 15/70 locations in regards to the sound. But, it also got a good sound design and mix team which means it will sound good wherever you see it. As long as the volume levels are not too high.

however in terms of three Atmos systems here in the DC area - Bethesda Arclight (screen #6) has the best volume setting, it's not overpowering and has better sound imaging than Tyson's. Tyson's has a larger auditorium thus why I think they boost the volume levels.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Poya

Actually, I did a comparison with the Dolby Cinema version of Tomorrowland with the laser IMAX version. Dolby wins hands down. Not only does the object-based sound beat the 12 channel limitations, but the colors, the dynamic range, the detail, they all beat IMAX. Did the same for San Andreas and Ant-Man to see if it wasn't a one time thing and Dolby won them all. IMAX will soon go down the Cinerama way of they don't start improving.

the DC area doesn't have a Dolby Cinema to compare IMAX laser with; but I agree 'Tomorrowland' in Atmos was way better than 12-channel mix. 12 channel is definitely a step up to compete with Atmos, but there are still limitations since Atmos can place sound immediately outside the screen area - the distance from the behind the screen speakers to the side speakers can't replicate that. Arclight also has five front channels which spreads the frontal sound imaging to spectacular widening effect - something that 8-SDDS achieved to great effect and hasn't been heard since it's phasing out.

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by MrsMiniver

I do not like 3D. But IMAX has by far the best 3D experience currently available.

I saw 3D IMAX for Star Trek 2 and it just gave me a headache. Plus it makes the screen look smaller. Hopefully the IMAX Corporation will finally let up on the "3D only" policy that they've had in recent years.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by Blu-Malibu2009

I saw 3D IMAX for Star Trek 2 and it just gave me a headache. Plus it makes the screen look smaller. Hopefully the IMAX Corporation will finally let up on the "3D only" policy that they've had in recent years.

Strange, I have seen numerous IMAX 3D Experiences and by far IMAX 3D is the only way to go. I have never had a headache or anything. The image looks great too because of the dual projection. On the other hand, the Dolby Atmos equipped 3D cinema near me looks dark and I do get an ever so slight headache.