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

[xbs2034]

I saw Dragon Ball Super Broly with its one day only IMAX release, and you can tell it was done on the cheap. The 1.78 aspect ratio was done in a 1.9 container, so that the film was presented windowboxed on the 1.43 screen (why not do a another DCP for those locations as it would fill more of the screen and get rid of the black bars on the sides as well), and the extra detail and resolution the IMAX laser system affords wasn't great for a lower budget animated film like this as it was clear that the source elements were not made to hold up for IMAX. Still, fun to see on such a huge screen and the IMAX sound mix was decent.

Still nice that IMAX is playing some more niche material in a quiet time. I know Free Solo is some IMAX theaters this week which is great, cause when I saw it months ago, at several points it popped in my head how I wished it was in IMAX.

[Dreamliner330]

A moment of silence to mourn the loss if the only real IMAX screen in Minnesota.

IMAX theater closing at Minnesota Zoo this month...10 day notice. Sheesh!

It was a IMAX corporate run location. They had a 70mm projector until 2014 when the installed the dual 2K digital system. It frustrated me because IMAX was on the cusp rolling out the 4K systems with 1.43:1 scope but chose to install the 1.90:1 2K system anyway, even though the screen was an 6-story tall 1.43:1 screen. Big mistake.

They still used the 70mm projector for Interstellar & Dunkirk and I was there, of course. The very last time I was there was for 2001 Space Odyssey in August.

In 2014 they spent "$1.2 Million" on the 2K Digital system and new seats.

Now I have to go to Iowa (to a domed theater) or Chicago to watch a 70mm Nolan movie.

[kopitarrulez]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

A moment of silence to mourn the loss if the only real IMAX screen in Minnesota.

IMAX theater closing at Minnesota Zoo this month...10 day notice. Sheesh!

It was a IMAX corporate run location. They had a 70mm projector until 2014 when the installed the dual 2K digital system. It frustrated me because IMAX was on the cusp rolling out the 4K systems with 1.43:1 scope but chose to install the 1.90:1 2K system anyway, even though the screen was an 6-story tall 1.43:1 screen. Big mistake.

They still used the 70mm projector for Interstellar & Dunkirk and I was there, of course. The very last time I was there was for 2001 Space Odyssey in August.

In 2014 they spent "$1.2 Million" on the 2K Digital system and new seats.

Now I have to go to Iowa (to a domed theater) or Chicago to watch a 70mm Nolan movie.

I'm absolutely devastated I love that theater

[erixon20]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

A moment of silence to mourn the loss if the only real IMAX screen in Minnesota.

IMAX theater closing at Minnesota Zoo this month...10 day notice. Sheesh!

It was a IMAX corporate run location. They had a 70mm projector until 2014 when the installed the dual 2K digital system. It frustrated me because IMAX was on the cusp rolling out the 4K systems with 1.43:1 scope but chose to install the 1.90:1 2K system anyway, even though the screen was an 6-story tall 1.43:1 screen. Big mistake.

They still used the 70mm projector for Interstellar & Dunkirk and I was there, of course. The very last time I was there was for 2001 Space Odyssey in August.

In 2014 they spent "$1.2 Million" on the 2K Digital system and new seats.

Now I have to go to Iowa (to a domed theater) or Chicago to watch a 70mm Nolan movie.

How far is the other theater?

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

A moment of silence to mourn the loss if the only real IMAX screen in Minnesota.

IMAX theater closing at Minnesota Zoo this month...10 day notice. Sheesh!

It was a IMAX corporate run location. They had a 70mm projector until 2014 when the installed the dual 2K digital system. It frustrated me because IMAX was on the cusp rolling out the 4K systems with 1.43:1 scope but chose to install the 1.90:1 2K system anyway, even though the screen was an 6-story tall 1.43:1 screen. Big mistake.

They still used the 70mm projector for Interstellar & Dunkirk and I was there, of course. The very last time I was there was for 2001 Space Odyssey in August.

In 2014 they spent "$1.2 Million" on the 2K Digital system and new seats.

Now I have to go to Iowa (to a domed theater) or Chicago to watch a 70mm Nolan movie.

Having lost an IMAX 70mm theater at the National History Museum down here, I feel your pain.

[singhcr]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

A moment of silence to mourn the loss if the only real IMAX screen in Minnesota.

IMAX theater closing at Minnesota Zoo this month...10 day notice. Sheesh!

It was a IMAX corporate run location. They had a 70mm projector until 2014 when the installed the dual 2K digital system. It frustrated me because IMAX was on the cusp rolling out the 4K systems with 1.43:1 scope but chose to install the 1.90:1 2K system anyway, even though the screen was an 6-story tall 1.43:1 screen. Big mistake.

They still used the 70mm projector for Interstellar & Dunkirk and I was there, of course. The very last time I was there was for 2001 Space Odyssey in August.

In 2014 they spent "$1.2 Million" on the 2K Digital system and new seats.

Now I have to go to Iowa (to a domed theater) or Chicago to watch a 70mm Nolan movie.

I just heard that today too. It really sucks. I loved Dunkirk there. I saw all of the Nolan IMAX films plus Ghost Protocol which was just awesome. I wish they had installed the 4K laser system as the 2K one is garbage.

It is a sad, sad day. It genuinely brings tears to my eyes thinking of that beautiful IMAX 15/70 projector being thrown in a warehouse somewhere, broken down for parts, or worst of all, scrapped.

[singhcr]

Originally Posted by erixon20

How far is the other theater?

Chicago is an 8 hour drive from the Twin Cities

[Riddhi2011]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

Depends on the title but lately a lot of movies in IMAX have expanded "IMAX" scenes that are taller than what you see in a regular 2D theater. Talking hardware alone, IMAX 2K uses 2 projectors to the image is much brighter and the screens are a lot bigger...which is also what makes IMAX 3D so great.

I knew about the aspect ratio and dual projection. But unless the movie is filmed with IMAX film cameras, I've not noticed much of a difference. Infact, in my local digital IMAX, I can see the pixels/screen door effect from the centre row, centre seat. Whereas, despite sitting only three rows from the front in a normal single 2K projection screen, I see no pixels. The image isn't bright like IMAX but because there is no discernible screen-door effect in regular CIH theatres, the qualitative experience is better.
My best 3D experience in digital IMAX was Ant-Man & the Wasp. The image quality was neat. The 3D was actually a bit overwhelming. I should have sat a few rows back from the centre.

[Dreamliner330]

Originally Posted by Riddhi2011

I knew about the aspect ratio and dual projection. But unless the movie is filmed with IMAX film cameras, I've not noticed much of a difference. Infact, in my local digital IMAX, I can see the pixels/screen door effect from the centre row, centre seat. Whereas, despite sitting only three rows from the front in a normal single 2K projection screen, I see no pixels. The image isn't bright like IMAX but because there is no discernible screen-door effect in regular CIH theatres, the qualitative experience is better.
My best 3D experience in digital IMAX was Ant-Man & the Wasp. The image quality was neat. The 3D was actually a bit overwhelming. I should have sat a few rows back from the centre.

I noticed pixels from the seats in 2011. I emailed IMAX about it and they intensely defended that you can not. When wearing 3D glasses you can't see pixels so I sit very close; center seat, 4 rows or so back from split. The immersion is awesome.

[erixon20]

Originally Posted by singhcr

Chicago is an 8 hour drive from the Twin Cities

8 hours-that is a looooooong drive.

[Dubstar]

Other than the new 'Prime' auditorium at AMC Rio (Gaithersburg, Maryland) being colder than a witch's tit today, I came away from a third time seeing 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' just as impressed as I seen it prior in 3D (AMC Mazza) , then Dolby Cinema (AMC Tysons). Two Christies 4K projectors, recliners with seat transducers and Dolby Atmos sound (with wall rows not being as high as Dolby Cinema usually are and as a result can block surround sound audio cues) I was hearing mix nuances that I hadn't heard before.

The IMAX theater here, since the entire complex was getting a makeover, now has 12-channel sound, but the changeover to laser won't happen til after 'Captain Marvel' and in time for 'Avengers: Endgame' in April.

[benji888578]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

Other than the new 'Prime' auditorium at AMC Rio (Gaithersburg, Maryland) being colder than a witch's tit today, I came away from a third time seeing 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' just as impressed as I seen it prior in 3D (AMC Mazza) , then Dolby Cinema (AMC Tysons). Two Christies 4K projectors, recliners with seat transducers and Dolby Atmos sound (with wall rows not being as high as Dolby Cinema usually are and as a result can block surround sound audio cues) I was hearing mix nuances that I hadn't heard before.

The IMAX theater here, since the entire complex was getting a makeover, now has 12-channel sound, but the changeover to laser won't happen til after 'Captain Marvel' and in time for 'Avengers: Endgame' in April.

I saw that film in a regular viewing room at the cinema with IMAX, and was wondering if the LFE was turned off or if the film lacked LFE? ...if it doesn’t lack LFE, then I will avoid this cinema for films outside of IMAX (the IMAX there is great)

My local IMAX was built in 2012 and rarely full, I don’t think they’re in a hurry to upgrade, wish they would though.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by benji888578

I saw that film in a regular viewing room at the cinema with IMAX, and was wondering if the LFE was turned off or if the film lacked LFE? ...if it doesn’t lack LFE, then I will avoid this cinema for films outside of IMAX (the IMAX there is great)

My local IMAX was built in 2012 and rarely full, I don’t think they’re in a hurry to upgrade, wish they would though.

for 'Into the Spider-Verse'? outside of laser projection the Prime Auditorium seemed and felt like a Dolby Cinema set up - the LFE was ungodly with the transducer seats rumbling away at every possible moment - in other words the bass really kicked!

[benji888578]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

for 'Into the Spider-Verse'? outside of laser projection the Prime Auditorium seemed and felt like a Dolby Cinema set up - the LFE was ungodly with the transducer seats rumbling away at every possible moment - in other words the bass really kicked!

yeah, that's what I thought, I'll have to avoid that cinema for anything but IMAX...I usually go across the street for 2D films, I'll stick with that place.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

Having lost an IMAX 70mm theater at the National History Museum down here, I feel your pain.

Director Kirk Johnson's name is mud to me ...

the Warner Bros. theatre over at American History is pathetic in comparison

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

A moment of silence to mourn the loss if the only real IMAX screen in Minnesota.

IMAX theater closing at Minnesota Zoo this month...10 day notice. Sheesh!

It was a IMAX corporate run location. They had a 70mm projector until 2014 when the installed the dual 2K digital system. It frustrated me because IMAX was on the cusp rolling out the 4K systems with 1.43:1 scope but chose to install the 1.90:1 2K system anyway, even though the screen was an 6-story tall 1.43:1 screen. Big mistake.

They still used the 70mm projector for Interstellar & Dunkirk and I was there, of course. The very last time I was there was for 2001 Space Odyssey in August.

In 2014 they spent "$1.2 Million" on the 2K Digital system and new seats.

Now I have to go to Iowa (to a domed theater) or Chicago to watch a 70mm Nolan movie.

Man that's a major bummer. Sorry to hear that.

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

Yeah, IMAX created their own DCPs so they have a lot of flexibility with that.

From what I understand the new laser system is specifically designed for smaller multiplex screens and 1.9 ratio. It also is much cheaper to install than the big screen laser system at around 600k, and apparently has an expanded color range over the other system.

They've signed deals to install 142 of these systems starting this year and going to 2022 (with expecting to sign more agreements) so it will probably end up becoming much more available than the current system

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/ne...system-1105249

https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-t...ax-with-laser/

It's unfortunate that they've decided on 1.9 as their default ratio for the projectors. A lot of LieMAX screens are actually taller than this ratio. My local LieMAX is 1.64 ratio.

Why even bother building the screen like that if they're going to limit the projection to 1.9 ratio? I'm pretty sure the previous screen they had in there was 2.39 ratio, so it's bizarre to replace it with a 1.64 screen and then have a bunch of black space even for "expanded" IMAX scenes.

The only thing I can come up with is that the other very large 2.39 auditorium at this theater was replaced with a 1.85 RPX screen. IMAX insists on having the largest screen, so guess they wanted it to look physically impressive compared to the RPX auditorium even though the IMAX projector at 1.9 means the screens are basically the same.

[ITDEFX101]

So any news about how Avengers: Endgame going to be finished at in terms of AR?

[Geoff D]

Shirley it'll be exactly the same as IW, seeing as they were shot back to back? 1.9 finish for IMAX, 2.4 for regular 'scope.

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Shirley it'll be exactly the same as IW, seeing as they were shot back to back? 1.9 finish for IMAX, 2.4 for regular 'scope.

Phew... I keep on having flashbacks to The Last Jedi :\