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

[Spike M.]

Originally Posted by jscoggins

IMAX screens will carry Mad Max in June.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by Spike M.

[Show spoiler]

[Spike M.]

Originally Posted by jscoggins

Mate, it's been playing at random IMAX theaters across the country since opening day. TCL, Boeing, etc... One more random theater doesn't mean much of anything; it still isn't getting a wide release.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by Spike M.

Mate, it's been playing at random IMAX theaters across the country since opening day. TCL, Boeing, etc... One more random theater doesn't mean much of anything; it still isn't getting a wide release.

Its too late for wide release. IMAX made a gamble by keeping Avengers and going with Tomorrow Land and it did not pay off.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by Spike M.

Mate, it's been playing at random IMAX theaters across the country since opening day. TCL, Boeing, etc... One more random theater doesn't mean much of anything; it still isn't getting a wide release.

Did I claim otherwise?

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by jscoggins

Did I claim otherwise?

You made it should like it was getting a re release in IMAX in June.

[Spike M.]

Originally Posted by MrsMiniver

You made it should like it was getting a re release in IMAX in June.

Yeah.

"IMAX screens will carry Mad Max in June" =/= "I saw that one IMAX will show this in June" lol

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by MrsMiniver

The Lincoln Square will eventually get the new laser system. Not sure when but it is supposed to be happening in 2015. The screen must be one of the biggest in the United States.




I have seen the new laser projection system. I live in Rochester NY which is about 2hrs from Toronto Ontario and they have the new laser system at the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto, I have seen American Sniper, Divergent in 3D, and Furious 7. The picture is very good and it is by far the best digital presentation I have seen so far. I am not so sure if I would say it is better than 70MM IMAX but it is very good for such a large screen. The color contrast ratios and amount of different shades (especially black) is outstanding.

From the details that I know of, it is currently running at 400mbps (and it can go higher), it is 4K and it is perceived to be higher than 4K. The DCP is different than a standard IMAX venue. The system can play 1:43 aspect ratios and they did have a 1:43 Furious 7 IMAX countdown ad before the movie. The system incorporates Dolby 3D for the Dolby 3D. The IMAX glasses are really Dolby 3D laser glasses and the IMAX and Dolby 3D logos are right on the glasses, so co-branded. From what I have been told by the technician who was working at the cinema for the first few months is that there is a soft image with highlights (whites) and a sharp image with low (blacks) and they are from either projector and they are overlapped together to create the image.

The sound system does sound different than a standard IMAX venue. Although I have not see a movie with all 12 channels mixed, the sound does sound less harsh.

So overall, IMO I still believe true 70mm is probably superior (technically) by some sort of small margin or maybe even a larger margin. But with digital projection you lose a lot of variables that reduce picture quality in film (light loss from the Xenon lamp, lens issues, etc etc)...what you make up with the use of the new laser technology likely makes the new IMAX laser projection better than 70mm or the perception that it is better.



I believe the ceiling speakers are just for slight effects, there are two even-smaller speakers on the left and right wall as well.

Lincoln Square I read that the conversion is supposed to happen at some point this Fall.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

Lincoln Square I read that the conversion is supposed to happen at some point this Fall.

Yes you are right. It will eventually happen by the end of year.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by MrsMiniver

Yes you are right. It will eventually happen by the end of year.

early Fall (Septemberish) is the ideal time, because once mid Fall and the holiday movies start getting released, they've missed their window of opportunity to convert it.

[jscoggins]

Here's a list of IMAX venues with the laser projectors:

https://www.imax.com/about/laser/

Scotiabank Toronto & IMAX

TCL Chinese Theatres IMAX

Boeing IMAX, Pacific Science Center

Airbus IMAX, Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Most places, even the Giant IMAX auditoriums that have switched to digital, are still using the dual 2K system.

[Poya]

I still think Dolby Cinema is by far the superior experience. Sound that isn't disctrete, dual 4K projectors that project HDR, minimal theater lighting, etc.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by Poya

I still think Dolby Cinema is by far the superior experience. Sound that isn't disctrete, dual 4K projectors that project HDR, minimal theater lighting, etc.

None of those have anywhere near the screen size that you find in Giant IMAX.

[Spike M.]

Originally Posted by Poya

I still think Dolby Cinema is by far the superior experience. Sound that isn't disctrete, dual 4K projectors that project HDR, minimal theater lighting, etc.

Have you seen both the IMAX lasers and Dolby's laser HDR? I'm itching to find someone who can compare the PQ between the two.

[Poya]

Originally Posted by jscoggins

None of those have anywhere near the screen size that you find in Giant IMAX.

Size matters not. Unless it was shot in IMAX.

Originally Posted by Spike M.

Have you seen both the IMAX lasers and Dolby's laser HDR? I'm itching to find someone who can compare the PQ between the two.

I have. I live near Hollywood so I have special privileges. The IMAX's sound system is an upgrade from before but the discrete destroys the immersion compared to Atmos. The picture suffers from edge enhancement (Tomorrowland was shot digitally so you'd think they wouldn't use that on it but nevermind) and the contrast wasn't as good as Dolby Vision. I predict Dolby Cinema will be the definitive film experience for years to come, at least until IMAX 70mm, regular 70mm, and 35mm phases out, unfortunately.

[Spike M.]

Originally Posted by Poya

I have. I live near Hollywood so I have special privileges. The IMAX's sound system is an upgrade from before but the discrete destroys the immersion compared to Atmos. The picture suffers from edge enhancement (Tomorrowland was shot digitally so you'd think they wouldn't use that on it but nevermind) and the contrast wasn't as good as Dolby Vision. I predict Dolby Cinema will be the definitive film experience for years to come, at least until IMAX 70mm, regular 70mm, and 35mm phases out, unfortunately.

What's the effect of having a matrix encode vs a discrete encode?

My only Atmos experience was with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes at the Empirical theater in Portland, and it was ghastly and certainly not near the ball park of the amazing audio experience that was Interstellar in 70mm at the Boeing IMAX in Seattle. I don't feel I have an accurate gauge on the ability of Atmos, since what I experienced with Apes was some trivially cool rain effects, but disgusting front channel activity that included an echo which destroyed clarity. I have experienced Meyer sound's equipment in 7.1, which I understand to be some of the nicest equipment available, and although it was fantastic, I still didn't find it as impressive as the Boeing's sound system. A definite cut above your typical converted IMAX theater's sound, as well as Klipsch in a Regal, or JBL in a Cinemark. I'd love to hear Meyer coupled with Atmos, but the nearest theater capable of it is a few hours from me. I'm not sure how convinced I am that a JBL or Klipsch system could top an IMAX 70 theaters sound, with or without Atmos.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by Poya

Size matters not. Unless it was shot in IMAX.

[Dubstar]

I heard 'Tomorrowland' in both Dolby Atmos and 12-channel discrete (IMAX-laser) - guess which had the better mix ...

[Show spoiler]the former

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Spike M.

What's the effect of having a matrix encode vs a discrete encode?

My only Atmos experience was with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes at the Empirical theater in Portland, and it was ghastly and certainly not near the ball park of the amazing audio experience that was Interstellar in 70mm at the Boeing IMAX in Seattle. I don't feel I have an accurate gauge on the ability of Atmos, since what I experienced with Apes was some trivially cool rain effects, but disgusting front channel activity that included an echo which destroyed clarity. I have experienced Meyer sound's equipment in 7.1, which I understand to be some of the nicest equipment available, and although it was fantastic, I still didn't find it as impressive as the Boeing's sound system. A definite cut above your typical converted IMAX theater's sound, as well as Klipsch in a Regal, or JBL in a Cinemark. I'd love to hear Meyer coupled with Atmos, but the nearest theater capable of it is a few hours from me. I'm not sure how convinced I am that a JBL or Klipsch system could top an IMAX 70 theaters sound, with or without Atmos.

My first experience with Atmos was Days of Future Past and wasn't impressed (this is also only title I've seen theatrically in another format, Dolby 7.1 in that case and basically didn't notice any difference). Though I did think the Atmos mixes on Jersey Boys and Into the Storm were nice, Mockingjay Pt. 1 and Home didn't really impress me but there were a couple parts were I could notice differences from what you get in a regular theater.

Still, while I think I would need to see the same film in both formats to truly compare, none of those Atmos mixes matches the top tier IMAX mixes IMO.

Also I saw Dawn of the Apes in Dolby 7.1 and found the sound mix solid there, and even without Atmos the rain effects were fairly immersive.

[Zhorik]

Originally Posted by Spike M.

What's the effect of having a matrix encode vs a discrete encode?

My only Atmos experience was with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes at the Empirical theater in Portland, and it was ghastly and certainly not near the ball park of the amazing audio experience that was Interstellar in 70mm at the Boeing IMAX in Seattle. I don't feel I have an accurate gauge on the ability of Atmos, since what I experienced with Apes was some trivially cool rain effects, but disgusting front channel activity that included an echo which destroyed clarity. I have experienced Meyer sound's equipment in 7.1, which I understand to be some of the nicest equipment available, and although it was fantastic, I still didn't find it as impressive as the Boeing's sound system. A definite cut above your typical converted IMAX theater's sound, as well as Klipsch in a Regal, or JBL in a Cinemark. I'd love to hear Meyer coupled with Atmos, but the nearest theater capable of it is a few hours from me. I'm not sure how convinced I am that a JBL or Klipsch system could top an IMAX 70 theaters sound, with or without Atmos.

Every cinema room is different (as are every mixing rooms. There are SMPTE papers showing this), so blaming Dolby Atmos for the bad reproduction (echo, muddy front sound-stage etc.) experienced is unkind to the technology. How did the BD mix (for Apes) compare with what you experienced in that room?

IMAX based on my experience boosts the mids and highs slightly, thereby making dialogue clearer. It would sure be interesting to see freq curves of IMAX rooms.