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

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

Georgetown's Dolby screen is now lit in blue now, too.

I was just there earlier this afternoon, and the new lighting makes the auditorium look a lot more sleeker, the red lighting was so vulgar and gaudy.

I had seen 'Rocketman' two week's earlier at a preview over at Tyson's and their sound system was quite frankly appalling in throwing the right side wall surround sound cues into the back surround channels making it all sound wonky; here though in Dolby Atmos, it was a completely different, and better (as it should be) experience - the sound and specifically the music sounded so epically grandiose

[Sulderp]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

ooohhhh, so that's the reason, I somehow never knew that ... that explains a lot [shrugs]

My favorite teather here in Mexico has a Barco 4k projector with Dolby Atmos system

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Sulderp

My favorite teather here in Mexico has a Barco 4k projector with Dolby Atmos system

I'm curious, what is the theater chain?

Cinemark announced they would install Auro on it's XD screens in 2013, which are comprised of Barco projectors; Barco then acquires IOSONO/Auro in 2014 - it became a package deal.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by Sulderp

My favorite teather here in Mexico has a Barco 4k projector with Dolby Atmos system

What city is it in? I may check it out next time I go down there for vacation

[leftyflip86]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

the new 'Aladdin' on the Dolby Cinema screen at Tyson's is the first movie where I thought there was something wrong with my glasses, the image seemed not particularly sharp and the image/color did not have that 'pop' one usually associates with Dolby Cinema presentations - visually it was so subpar and inferior to 'John Wick 3' at my neighborhood non-Dolby Cinema screen. On the plus side, AMC took out the red floor lighting that was causing a haze on the screen, the new blue lighting while still causing a very minor same flaw is at least no where as obnoxious as the prior lighting.

The Dolby Cinema at AMC Columbia Mall (in MD) has lacked the vivid and saturated colors expected from the Dolby Vision HDR format for a while now. Contrast still has very dark black levels but the brightness doesn't even match their standard screens. I haven't been back there since Captain Marvel but had noticed the lack of brightness and saturated colors for at least a year prior.

Also, a few of Cinemark's XD screens have Atmos installed. The rest have been playing standard 5.1 or 7.1 audio due to the lack of films with Auro tracks.

ScreenX formatted releases are on the decline as well, which is basically the same idea as Barco Escape. The only feature films shot for that wide aspect ratio format so far have been Korean concert films. All first-run Hollywood feature films released in ScreenX had content for the side wall screens made during post-production. The ScreenX format is by CJ 4DPlex, who also created and manages the 4DX cinema format. The formats are licensed to cinema chains for installation and branding within their locations, similar to IMAX and Dolby Cinema.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by leftyflip86

The Dolby Cinema at AMC Columbia Mall (in MD) has lacked the vivid and saturated colors expected from the Dolby Vision HDR format for a while now. Contrast still has very dark black levels but the brightness doesn't even match their standard screens. I haven't been back there since Captain Marvel but had noticed the lack of brightness and saturated colors for at least a year prior.

Also, a few of Cinemark's XD screens have Atmos installed. The rest have been playing standard 5.1 or 7.1 audio due to the lack of films with Auro tracks.

ScreenX formatted releases are on the decline as well, which is basically the same idea as Barco Escape. The only feature films shot for that wide aspect ratio format so far have been Korean concert films. All first-run Hollywood feature films released in ScreenX had content for the side wall screens made during post-production. The ScreenX format is by CJ 4DPlex, who also created and manages the 4DX cinema format. The formats are licensed to cinema chains for installation and branding within their locations, similar to IMAX and Dolby Cinema.

really? which ones? since the XD's advertising exclaims: "What does 11.1 layers of multi-channel surround sound feel like? which is obviously touting Auro - is Dolby Atmos the secret sauce for a system that doesn't have enough product back that claim?

Personally I don't think 'premium' screens should be 7.1 only, for the price of these tickets, XD, AMC Prime, Regal's RPX, etc., not having 'immersive object based audio' seems like not taking a project over the finish line.

[Sulderp]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

I'm curious, what is the theater chain?

Cinemark announced they would install Auro on it's XD screens in 2013, which are comprised of Barco projectors; Barco then acquires IOSONO/Auro in 2014 - it became a package deal.

Cinépolis

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

What city is it in? I may check it out next time I go down there for vacation

Cinépolis Parque Toreo , Auditorium 10 Macro XE, In Naucalpan State of Mexico

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by Sulderp

Cinépolis Parque Toreo , Auditorium 10 Macro XE, In Naucalpan State of Mexico

Good thing it's near Mexico City

[ITDEFX101]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

I'm curious to hear how it went. Even though I had thought I'd invest the time and money to experience G:KoM in 4DX, I'm now eyeing seeing/hearing this in 3D/Atmos over on the Prime auditorium at the Rio on Wednesday. Yesterday's presentation at Mazza on screen 1 was actually pretty good, a set scope screen helps, but I really want to hear how the Atmos sound mix sounds.

Sorry for the delayed follow up to Udvar.

As I mentioned in the first showing there was no expanded AR scenes in this movie which was quite a shame but a good 10-15 feet of black bars on top and bottom for what is considered to be the biggest IMAX screen in the area can get quite annoying after awhile.

I guess they are cutting out trailers for features at Udvar as this is the second time I have seen a movie this year at Udvar where the trailers were cut...(endgame but I can understand considering it's long running time)

I had mixed results with the audio presentation of this movie at Udvar.
Feels like the rear speakers are not giving a strong enough output. In the beginning it seemed the audio was weak, but throughout the movie it was a mix bag. I don't recall any overhead audio effects. The monster's unique sound effects were mostly weak compared to the effects of the Orca device.

I am not sure if overall the final mix was not as strong as it should have been or theater's aren't pumping out the full effect. I was expecting some aggressive sound effects for a movie of this type, but it was less than average...




Strange thing that apparently there was a major thunderstorm rolling in to the area during the movie....in the scene

[Show spoiler]where king ghidorah and Godzilla fight for the first time and one of the main characters is tossed around and eventually gets knocked out and wakes up in a hospital bed, all of a sudden you hear what sounds like a "FLAT LINE" tone and I was like, oh shit he died? I don't remembered that in the first viewing...then I realized it was an announcer alerting everyone that a major storm warning was issued for our area until a certain time, but the way it sounded it just felt like it was part of the movie lol.

[TPerryoo7]

Originally Posted by leftyflip86

The Dolby Cinema at AMC Columbia Mall (in MD) has lacked the vivid and saturated colors expected from the Dolby Vision HDR format for a while now. Contrast still has very dark black levels but the brightness doesn't even match their standard screens.

MY first experience with Dolby was in New York City and I was pretty blown away by the color and contrast. I went for Logan, specifically picking the Dolby to have the best experience possible.

I had went to the Dolby at Tyson's Corner and disappointment washed over me. Went for Tomb Raider. I was excited about the "Prime" at the Rio opening as it would finally be the good alternative. I figured the Tyson's one was just older or something, but again, absolutely lackluster color and contrast at the Rio. I was there the week it opened. It's basically a normal freaking projection. 3D is moderately better than the normal screens, but the normal screens (specifically in 3D) at the Rio are flabbergastingly dim. From my weekly experience there, the smaller rooms fare better with clarity and brightness.

Why aren't these Dolby/Prime theaters meeting the standard? Is it just a premium audio ONLY experience now? At least around the VA/MD area it seems to be.

Do we know if the IMAX at the Rio is actually being renovated, or will it be downgraded to a normal screen? I'm a bit worried, as there are no listings for any IMAX films, even into August. I was confounded when they decided to start that project AS SOON as Endgame released. The worst time of all.

Originally Posted by testmon112

For anyone who saw Captain Marvel in IMAX, was this post credits scene in expanded AR 1.90?

The credits scene was expanded, yes. I saw this 4 times in IMAX, right before my theater decided it was a good idea to shut it down for renovations.

[CinemaFirst]

Does anyone know whether Dark Phoenix is solely 2.35 or are there Imax adjusted scenes? You know, just wondering where to watch this...

[TPerryoo7]

Originally Posted by CinemaFirst

Does anyone know whether Dark Phoenix is solely 2.35 or are there Imax adjusted scenes? You know, just wondering where to watch this...

IMAX usually advertises any "26% more picture", and I've seen absolutely none with Dark Phoenix, so I highly doubt it will have shifting ratio in IMAX theaters.

[CinemaFirst]

Originally Posted by TPerryoo7

IMAX usually advertises any "26% more picture", and I've seen absolutely none with Dark Phoenix, so I highly doubt it will have shifting ratio in IMAX theaters.

Ah, that's right. Thanks.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by TPerryoo7

MY first experience with Dolby was in New York City and I was pretty blown away by the color and contrast. I went for Logan, specifically picking the Dolby to have the best experience possible.

I had went to the Dolby at Tyson's Corner and disappointment washed over me. Went for Tomb Raider. I was excited about the "Prime" at the Rio opening as it would finally be the good alternative. I figured the Tyson's one was just older or something, but again, absolutely lackluster color and contrast at the Rio. I was there the week it opened. It's basically a normal freaking projection. 3D is moderately better than the normal screens, but the normal screens (specifically in 3D) at the Rio are flabbergastingly dim. From my weekly experience there, the smaller rooms fare better with clarity and brightness.

Why aren't these Dolby/Prime theaters meeting the standard? Is it just a premium audio ONLY experience now? At least around the VA/MD area it seems to be.

Do we know if the IMAX at the Rio is actually being renovated, or will it be downgraded to a normal screen? I'm a bit worried, as there are no listings for any IMAX films, even into August. I was confounded when they decided to start that project AS SOON as Endgame released. The worst time of all.



The credits scene was expanded, yes. I saw this 4 times in IMAX, right before my theater decided it was a good idea to shut it down for renovations.

I have NO idea what's going on with the IMAX screen over at Rio, but I'll be over there tomorrow to see 'G:KoM' on the Prime screen (3D and Dolby Atmos [!] woohoo) so I'll ask. But back to the Prime screen, I was just wow'd by the presentation of 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse' here, while it wasn't a 3D presentation, the image had significant pop and the Atmos system was top notch - hope the system hasn't take a turn for the worse.

[leftyflip86]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

really? which ones? since the XD's advertising exclaims: "What does 11.1 layers of multi-channel surround sound feel like? which is obviously touting Auro - is Dolby Atmos the secret sauce for a system that doesn't have enough product back that claim?

As I mentioned, only a few XD screens have Dolby Atmos. The majority of them do not. As far as I know, only the XD at Century Pacific Commons in Fremont, California was built specifically for Atmos -- they've never played Auro sound at that XD location.

The other XD screens with Atmos can playback both Auro and Atmos. However, I believe only Cinemark West Plano (Cinemark's flagship theater adjacent to their corporate headquarters) is currently showing films in Atmos. The XD screens at Century San Francisco Centre and Cinemark Playa Vista in California haven't showed films in Atmos for a while now.

Originally Posted by TPerryoo7

MY first experience with Dolby was in New York City and I was pretty blown away by the color and contrast. I went for Logan, specifically picking the Dolby to have the best experience possible.

I had went to the Dolby at Tyson's Corner and disappointment washed over me. Went for Tomb Raider. I was excited about the "Prime" at the Rio opening as it would finally be the good alternative. I figured the Tyson's one was just older or something, but again, absolutely lackluster color and contrast at the Rio. I was there the week it opened. It's basically a normal freaking projection. 3D is moderately better than the normal screens, but the normal screens (specifically in 3D) at the Rio are flabbergastingly dim. From my weekly experience there, the smaller rooms fare better with clarity and brightness.

Why aren't these Dolby/Prime theaters meeting the standard? Is it just a premium audio ONLY experience now? At least around the VA/MD area it seems to be.

The Dolby Cinema at AMC Columbia Mall looked and sounded great when it first opened, especially in regards to the Dolby Vision HDR laser projection. During the more recent screenings I've attended, the colors aren't as bright and vivid as they should be and sound levels have been inconsistent with some shows being too quiet or too loud, while a few others were set at the correct levels.

I also visited the Prime screen at AMC Owings Mills when it first opened, which looked and sounded great. Not sure if it'll last, though. The IMAX at that location has a "small" screen but is so loud you can hear the sound out in the hall, even with the doors closed (this IMAX wasn't that loud when it first opened, either). Surprisingly, I didn't notice any sound leakage when I visited the Prime auditorium, which is directly adjacent to the IMAX.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by leftyflip86

As I mentioned, only a few XD screens have Dolby Atmos. The majority of them do not. As far as I know, only the XD at Century Pacific Commons in Fremont, California was built specifically for Atmos -- they've never played Auro sound at that XD location.

The other XD screens with Atmos can playback both Auro and Atmos. However, I believe only Cinemark West Plano (Cinemark's flagship theater adjacent to their corporate headquarters) is currently showing films in Atmos. The XD screens at Century San Francisco Centre and Cinemark Playa Vista in California haven't showed films in Atmos for a while now.


The Dolby Cinema at AMC Columbia Mall looked and sounded great when it first opened, especially in regards to the Dolby Vision HDR laser projection. During the more recent screenings I've attended, the colors aren't as bright and vivid as they should be and sound levels have been inconsistent with some shows being too quiet or too loud, while a few others were set at the correct levels.

I also visited the Prime screen at AMC Owings Mills when it first opened, which looked and sounded great. Not sure if it'll last, though. The IMAX at that location has a "small" screen but is so loud you can hear the sound out in the hall, even with the doors closed (this IMAX wasn't that loud when it first opened, either). Surprisingly, I didn't notice any sound leakage when I visited the Prime auditorium, which is directly adjacent to the IMAX.

but does the Century Pacific Commons XD auditorium have a Barco projector? I think if and when the Barco laser projector upgrade happened, the addition of the Auro system was a done deal as well.

I really wish here in the DC/MD/VA area, Cinemark in Fairfax featured Atmos, their two XD screens are so wonderfully tall. Cinemark's Egyptian XD screen for a long time was truly one the best places to experience a movie, but when I saw 'Everest' there, the sound was just not as good as it's Atmos and IMAX-laser 12-channel mixes.

[UFAlien]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

but does the Century Pacific Commons XD auditorium have a Barco projector? I think if and when the Barco laser projector upgrade happened, the addition of the Auro system was a done deal as well.

XD projectors are Barco's D-Series, which aren't laser. They're high-end 4K xenon projectors.

[leftyflip86]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

but does the Century Pacific Commons XD auditorium have a Barco projector? I think if and when the Barco laser projector upgrade happened, the addition of the Auro system was a done deal as well.

I really wish here in the DC/MD/VA area, Cinemark in Fairfax featured Atmos, their two XD screens are so wonderfully tall. Cinemark's Egyptian XD screen for a long time was truly one the best places to experience a movie, but when I saw 'Everest' there, the sound was just not as good as it's Atmos and IMAX-laser 12-channel mixes.

Correction: the Century Pacific Commons XD auditorium opened with a Barco projector and 7.1 sound but was updated to Atmos a few months after opening (it was one of the launch locations for the Atmos format). Cinemark signed the Auro installation contract with Barco in 2013, which was a year after Dolby had installed Atmos at that location.

Also, Cinemark City Center 12 in Newport News, VA has Atmos in its XD auditorium but I believe Paragon Theaters had the system installed when they operated the theater.

[avs commenter]

any reports on that new THX theater in the LA area?

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by UFAlien

XD projectors are Barco's D-Series, which aren't laser. They're high-end 4K xenon projectors.

huh?

not according to this press release back in 2014:

Cinemark first to install Barco’s laser projector in North America and raise the bar on image quality