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

[Flatnate]

Honestly, despite being old news, I think laser driven, high dynamic range Dolby will be a compelling alternative to the digital IMAX experience. The problem I see is how does Dolby market it to the masses? Is some young person going to be like "oh I want to go to the Dolby theater for the black levels". Hell no, that will never happen. IMAX also has far better brand recognition in the cinema market. I would be curious to see details on this "revenue sharing partnership" they want to form with theater owners, because I'm willing to bet its success or failure has everything to do with how that agreement affects the rate of adoption.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by Flatnate

Honestly, despite being old news, I think laser driven, high dynamic range Dolby will be a compelling alternative to the digital IMAX experience. The problem I see is how does Dolby market it to the masses? Is some young person going to be like "oh I want to go to the Dolby theater for the black levels". Hell no, that will never happen. IMAX also has far better brand recognition in the cinema market. I would be curious to see details on this "revenue sharing partnership" they want to form with theater owners, because I'm willing to bet its success or failure has everything to do with how that agreement affects the rate of adoption.

There is only so much room for more premium large format screens. Dolby will do ok but the marketing is not on the level of IMAX. The idea of laser projection is largely irrelevant in the grand scheme of things as it is the branding that is what is so much more important. If Dolby cannot get the branding down then no amount of laser projection is going to make a difference.

IMAX has laser too but that is minor in the grand scheme of things. It is branding that has to work.

Dolby is really late to game as IMAX is already in almost every single major market. So more premium large format is not the answer as Dolby Cinema is just a copycat of IMAX.

IMO, where Dolby would make inroads is the smaller theaters within an IMAX Theatre complex. It's the smaller single projection small to medium that is open for new ideas and I think Dolby could make that work.

[xbs2034]

For people in the San Francisco area (actually my sister lives not far from there) the Meteron IMAX is now closed, apparently for the laser conversion.

From a quick Google search couldn't find other locations closed for renovation at the moment, but when IMAX does installs, they usually seem to do a couple at once so may be others converting for the fall.

[ManBeast]

The BFI IMAX in London is hosting a Dark Knight trilogy marathon (as well as a LOTR all-nighter), I'd love to go but they don't start until midnight and don't finish until nearly 9AM.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by ManBeast

The BFI IMAX in London is hosting a Dark Knight trilogy marathon (as well as a LOTR all-nighter), I'd love to go but they don't start until midnight and don't finish until nearly 9AM.

Are the LOTR films being DMR'ed for IMAX? I heard rumors about that earlier (along with a possible 3D conversion), and it would make sense for something IMAX could release at a slower time like the current schedule, but that was a while back so I'd basically given up on it.

[ManBeast]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

Are the LOTR films being DMR'ed for IMAX? I heard rumors about that earlier (along with a possible 3D conversion), and it would make sense for something IMAX could release at a slower time like the current schedule, but that was a while back so I'd basically given up on it.

Nope. They are 35mm prints projected onto the IMAX screen. From the website:

Back by popular demand all three films will be shown in their original theatrical 35mm versions (NB. not 3D, IMAX or IMAX DMR) and the image will fill approximately one third of the giant screen.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by ManBeast

Nope. They are 35mm prints projected onto the IMAX screen. From the website:

That's disappointing, particularly with only using 1/3 of the screen.

I remember Lincoln Square used to show non IMAX presentations on its IMAX screen (I saw films like Apocalypse Now Redux and Jurassic Park 3 that way), but they stopped that many years ago, and even so I believe the screen size used was much more than a third- I think it was similar sizewise to the "liemax" presentations Lincoln Square has now.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by ManBeast

Nope. They are 35mm prints projected onto the IMAX screen. From the website:

I highly doubt they will be shown in 35mm

[xbs2034]

Some more laser IMAX updates (mostly thanks to an AVS forum search). In addition to the Meteron (which will be reopening Sept 11 in a film festival to show off IMAX laser), the Jordan's Furniture in Reading MA (I saw the first Amazing Spider-Man there and it's a great theater) is also currently closed for a laser upgrade and will re-open with Everest.

For our overseas friends, the Melborune IMAX is closing after this weekend to begin the laser installation, and a new IMAX location is being built in Dubai to debut next month with laser.

That seems to be it for the Fall laser upgrades, though I did see confirmation both that laser at IMAX Sydney (the world's largest movie screen) isn't coming until 2016, and that they will show Force Awakens in digital IMAX, which makes the 15/70 release rumor look unlikely (if they are going to play it in "liemax" there rather than supplying a print, doubt they will do it anywhere).

[feeling22]

I didn't know where to post this, so I'm hoping this thread might help. My local theatre has 2 screens this size:



I took this pic myself before the movie started from the very top/back of the stadium seating. I was wondering what would the size of this screen possibly be? My theatre just calls them their giant screens. You can see the "front row" seats below (which are terrible, you practically have to throw your head back to see the entire screen) to compare.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by feeling22

I didn't know where to post this, so I'm hoping this thread might help. My local theatre has 2 screens this size:



I took this pic myself before the movie started from the very top/back of the stadium seating. I was wondering what would the size of this screen possibly be? My theatre just calls them their giant screens. You can see the "front row" seats below (which are terrible, you practically have to throw your head back to see the entire screen) to compare.

Easiest way to estimate the size is to count the ceiling tiles and then multiply them by the length of the tiles. More than likely the screen will not exceed 60-65 feet.

[Zhorik]

^ Or seat width, especially for a picture like that.

[ManBeast]

The IMAX at Empire Leicester Square will be Europe's first laser projection auditorium. Looking forward to checking something out on it soon!

IMAX LAUNCHES NEW LASER SYSTEM AT EMPIRE LEICESTER SQUARE - YouTube

[Geoff D]

They're not doing the BFI first, which actually is a proper large format IMAX venue? Boo-urns.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by ManBeast

The IMAX at Empire Leicester Square will be Europe's first laser projection auditorium. Looking forward to checking something out on it soon!

IMAX LAUNCHES NEW LASER SYSTEM AT EMPIRE LEICESTER SQUARE - YouTube

There are three locations that are about to come online live. I have seen it and it is pretty awesome.

[xbs2034]

The Dolby Cinema at AMC Empire 25 (first laser projection in NYC) opens tonight. Sadly, as often is the case with that screen, their selection isn't very interesting with Rogue Nation (which I've already seen and has been out for quite a while now) this week, and The Perfect Guy (which I have zero interest in) next week.

Maybe I'll give Rogue Nation a rewatch if any friends are interested, if not, hopefully they get something more interesting soon as I would like to check the theater out.

[MrsMiniver]

I am not at all interested in Dolby Cinema or Atmos for that matter

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by MrsMiniver

I am not at all interested in Dolby Cinema or Atmos for that matter

I'm much more of an IMAX fan personally (have been even since the late 1990s with the nature/science docs that used to play at Lincoln Square), but still interested as it is the first laser projection to come to my area and I'm someone who always enjoys getting to see new film tech.

[ManBeast]

The press-release regarding laser projector at The Empire IMAX.

2nd September, LONDON, UK - The future of cinema technology arrives in the UK as IMAX Corporation today confirms the launch of its new laser projection system at one of its flagship cinemas, The Empire Leicester Square on 2nd October with The Walk: An IMAX 3D Experience. The Empire Leicester Square will be the first IMAX cinema in Europe to launch the new technology.
IMAX with laser represents a quantum leap forward in cinema technology – providing audiences with the sharpest, brightest, clearest and most vivid digital images ever, combined with a whole new level of immersive audio.
Designed from the ground up for IMAX’s largest screens, the dual 4K laser projection system is equipped with a new optical engine and suite of proprietary IMAX technologies capable of projecting an image with maximum resolution and sharpness, unparalleled 2D and 3D brightness, industry-leading contrast and an expanded color gamut that will allow filmmakers to present more vivid and exotic colors than ever before.

The new system also includes IMAX’s next-generation sound technology that delivers even greater power and precision for ultimate audio immersion. It has been upgraded to 12 discrete channels plus sub-bass, and includes additional side channels as well as new overhead channels that will improve the system’s ability to position sounds around the audience and further ensure every seat is the best in the house.

The historic Empire Leicester Square opened its IMAX® screen in June 2014; the previous ‘Screen 1’ was completely transformed for The IMAX® Experience®, which will now host Europe’s first ever IMAX with laser technology and an incredible projected screen image spanning 87-foot (26.5m) wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling – one of the biggest in the UK.

Andrew Cripps, President of IMAX EMEA, said: “We are raising the benchmark once again with the launch of IMAX with laser at Empire Leicester Square – providing film fans in the West End a cinemagoing experience unlike anything they’ve ever seen or heard before. We couldn’t be more excited to mark the European debut of this new laser technology at such an iconic venue – particularly with the strong upcoming slate of films like, The Walk, Crimson Peak, SPECTRE and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, that demand to be seen in this new format.”

Justin Ribbons, CEO of Empire Cinemas, said: "We’re delighted to bring laser technology to our flagship cinema & IMAX® screen in the heart of London at The Empire Leicester Square. From the earliest days of the moving image The Empire Leicester Square has been at the forefront of advances in cinema technology. The introduction of IMAX® with laser further reinforces our commitment to providing the most cutting edge, immersive viewing experience to our customers who will be the first in Europe to experience this new technology. It reinforces The Empire Leicester Square’s position as the home of the UK’s best cinema-going experience for years to come.”

Thanks to IMAX’s laser technology cinemagoers will be awe-inspired by the epic scope of The Walk (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley), Crimson Peak (Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain) SPECTRE (Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill).

http://www.empirecinemas.co.uk/news/...er_square/n226

Think I will check out The Walk and maybe Crimson Peak there.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

I'm much more of an IMAX fan personally (have been even since the late 1990s with the nature/science docs that used to play at Lincoln Square), but still interested as it is the first laser projection to come to my area and I'm someone who always enjoys getting to see new film tech.

I agree, its nice to see some laser projection coming your way. I will check out Dolby Cinema eventually as well.

But, I wish the chains would stop trying to keep making knock offs of IMAX. I would rather see them work on the smaller auditoriums as not everything needs to be seen in IMAX. The beauty of IMAX in my area is that you get reseved seating, of the chains would work on the smaller theaters and offer reserve seating, I would likely go to the movies more.