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

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

I simply HATE what Dolby and AMC did architecturally with their DC auditoriums. They needed to keep it simple and sleek like Dolby's corporate auditorium:



DOLBY BUILT THE BEST MOVIE THEATER ON EARTH, AND WE WATCHED ‘STAR WARS’ IN IT

Is that the Georgetown Dolby theater? It doesn't look bad to me. Perhaps, I was expecting a whole lot of red.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

Is that the Georgetown Dolby theater? It doesn't look bad to me. Perhaps, I was expecting a whole lot of red.

wish it was - but no that's Dolby's corporate screen /theater lay out auditorium which is not open to the public (unfortunately)

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

Eh ... depends entirely on the venue, no two Dolby Cinema auditoriums are the same - if you took out the stupid vibrating recliners, removed the walls separating the rows, removed all ancillary light from the walls, Did not drop the screen nearly to floor level, had THX approved properly calibrated sound levels; then yes Dolby Cinema would be the "best"

Even with all that, think I would prefer IMAX laser: double the screen size, also has immersive audio, everything that plays there has gone through IMAX DMR and IMAX sound mix (though Dolby finally seeming to get their act together properly listing Vision and Atmos titles on their website is a big help), and for the one title I saw in both with The Force Awakens, felt IMAX laser had a bit better PQ overall in the 35mm stuff (though Dolby Vision did have the better black levels), but then blew it out of the water on the 15/70 sequence.

Yeah, the AMC Empire Dolby Cinema has some issues, so at least with Dunkirk, I would also prefer either the digital IMAX in that same theater (while not as dramatic a size difference as laser a bigger screen, has the expanded ratio, and also has immersive 12 channel sound), or a regular 70mm showing that's close enough to even walk to.

[Creed]

Christopher Nolan’s ‘Dunkirk’ Scores Widest 70MM Release in 25 Years

[ITDEFX101]

Spiderman:HC .... NO AR Changes during the IMAX viewing. once again *Enhanced for IMAX*. I need to send an email to IMAX about my theater. In some scenes, the left and right side of the actual screen looked like there was a darker shade to them. I noticed this when I took off the glasses and I was wth is that?

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

Spiderman:HC .... NO AR Changes during the IMAX viewing. once again *Enhanced for IMAX*. I need to send an email to IMAX about my theater. In some scenes, the left and right side of the actual screen looked like there was a darker shade to them. I noticed this when I took off the glasses and I was wth is that?

IMAX used to have a "quality assurance" contact details logo at the end of movies - not sure if it's still around - anyone?

[Spike M.]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

IMAX used to have a "quality assurance" contact details logo at the end of movies - not sure if it's still around - anyone?

I mean it's always been a marketing move. They might've run a tight ship on presentations back in the day, but now that there are over 1100 theaters, they literally can't pay any kind of specific attention to one auditorium. It's all on the specific theater's projectionists... which isn't worth much since chain theaters went on a firing spree when digital showed up.

There's no special kind of "quality control" in IMAX anymore.

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

IMAX used to have a "quality assurance" contact details logo at the end of movies - not sure if it's still around - anyone?

oh it is ... saw it at the end of the credits.

[ITDEFX101]

I went to the Alamo Drafthouse for tonight's special advanced preview of War for the Planet of the Apes in their theater "A". Wow, they really got their shit together with their set up. The Audio and Video Quality was MUCH higher than Regal's RPX/IMAX and Cinemark's xD screens.

[Zhorik]

Cinemark XD rooms are essentially 5.1 right? Since they are equipped for Auro 11.1 and movies for the format are far and few.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Zhorik

Cinemark XD rooms are essentially 5.1 right? Since they are equipped for Auro 11.1 and movies for the format are far and few.

No, 7.1

the rear channels become obsolete in Auro 11.1 as that is 5.1 (side wall channels + heights)

[ITDEFX101]

Since I don't go to the Alamo that much these days (last night was a treat), usually you know when its down to the last 30 minutes of so of the movie when they start coming around with the bill. When you are so into the story and then all of a sudden you are pulled back and realize, oh damn I have a $20 dollar bill to pay....then they come back 10 mins later to see if you have the money and I am like still watching the movie. Yeah I know they don't want anyone to skip out on their meal bill. I rather pay cash then to give them my CC. The first few times I went there, they were gone with my CC for like 15 mins. You really can't trust anyone these days now that skimmers/cloners can be made/bought easily.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

I went to the Alamo Drafthouse for tonight's special advanced preview of War for the Planet of the Apes in their theater "A". Wow, they really got their shit together with their set up. The Audio and Video Quality was MUCH higher than Regal's RPX/IMAX and Cinemark's xD screens.

How is the Atmos mix of War - I like the latest Planet of the Apes movies but this one looks particularly dreary

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

How is the Atmos mix of War - I like the latest Planet of the Apes movies but this one looks particularly dreary

Very impressive. It's like I would put it in this theater order-

Udvar Hazy
Alamo Atmos
AMC Prime (Tyson's Corner)
Cinemark xD
Gainesville RPX
Manassas Imax

I felt that the audio was equalized across the board. In other premium theaters like RPX, I would only hear the front dialog and low surround sound mix. Same with Manassas Imax. Sounds really powerful during trailers, but main feature is toned down.

I think it's worth going to the Alamo "A" theater instead of driving all the way to Tyson's.

Seats are real nice. They don't recline but that's good! (so I don't fall asleep easier)

Screen wise (this is where I wish I could have taken a picture of the screen pre-movie but security was like NOPE) I say it's about the size of the Cinemark xD screen. Image quality was outstanding. They take pride when it comes to their set up.

[AdrianL]

My local theater is opening a Dolby auditorium this Friday, gonna check out Apes. Keen to see how it is!

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

Very impressive. It's like I would put it in this theater order-

Udvar Hazy
Alamo Atmos
AMC Prime (Tyson's Corner)
Cinemark xD
Gainesville RPX
Manassas Imax

I felt that the audio was equalized across the board. In other premium theaters like RPX, I would only hear the front dialog and low surround sound mix. Same with Manassas Imax. Sounds really powerful during trailers, but main feature is toned down.

I think it's worth going to the Alamo "A" theater instead of driving all the way to Tyson's.

Seats are real nice. They don't recline but that's good! (so I don't fall asleep easier)

Screen wise (this is where I wish I could have taken a picture of the screen pre-movie but security was like NOPE) I say it's about the size of the Cinemark xD screen. Image quality was outstanding. They take pride when it comes to their set up.

The Alamo's screen is as tall as the XD screen ? that's impressive.

Personally I'd put Arclight Bethesda's Atmos (screen #6) and Regal Kingstown RPX screen over AMC Tysons.

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

The Alamo's screen is as tall as the XD screen ? that's impressive.

Personally I'd put Arclight Bethesda's Atmos (screen #6) and Regal Kingstown RPX screen over AMC Tysons.

Well as we all know not all premium screens are the same size...for example the RPX screen in Salisbury, MD is much bigger and the audio is better than the RPX in Gainesville, VA. I'd say the Alamo screen may be a bit shorter than the Cinemark xD Fairfax screen, but without a picture of the Alamo screen (damn you security!!) I can't compare visually.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by ITDEFX101

Well as we all know not all premium screens are the same size...for example the RPX screen in Salisbury, MD is much bigger and the audio is better than the RPX in Gainesville, VA. I'd say the Alamo screen may be a bit shorter than the Cinemark xD Fairfax screen, but without a picture of the Alamo screen (damn you security!!) I can't compare visually.

But bigger is better .... (She said)

Gainesville RPX is Dolby Atmos?

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

The Alamo's screen is as tall as the XD screen ? that's impressive.

Personally I'd put Arclight Bethesda's Atmos (screen #6) and Regal Kingstown RPX screen over AMC Tysons.

I've always wanted to experience seeing a movie at the Alamo but it's way too far from me but it looks like they're building one in the new development on Rhode Island Avenue right on the subway line.

As for Arclight's Atmos screen, It looks like Baby Driver will be there this week.
I'm interested in experiencing what the Atmos sound does to that movie.

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

But bigger is better .... (She said)

Gainesville RPX is Dolby Atmos?

I don't think so.

Haven't been to RPX screen since Alien Covenant and even that mix was weak in that theater.