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

[Poya]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

I had to put fingers in my ears during Transformers 4 (IMAX-D)

I did, too, but for different reasons. 😉

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by Spike M.

I should add that in my experience, for whatever reason, the big boy IMAX theater's sound quality is an enormous improvement from converted theaters. Having seen Interstellar in two converted IMAX's as well as a 15/70 theater, the 15/70 theater was hitting frequencies that were just non-existent in the converts.

Even so, the digital IMAX's were a significant improvement in both clarity and power over my Atmos experience (Empirical Theater, Portland). The only rival I've had to IMAX's audio is Meyer's systems. I'm itching to get to one of their Atmos locations.

My biggest compliment to IMAX's sound is that after 5 years of seeing virtually every big blockbuster at one of their theaters, I've only needed to ask them to crank up the volume twice. One of my biggest frustrations about going to the movies is how little attention they pay to proper volume levels. With IMAX I rarely need to stress about needing to run out 5 minutes into the movie to ask a manager to turn the volume up (I needed to with Mad Max today, and it was annoying as hell).

I don't have an issue with IMAX. Their film based presentations were better than than the digital presentations but I still enjoy the IMAX Digital shows. I usually know what I'm getting, bright consistent picture, decent sound (a bit loud) and reserve seating. And usually those who go to IMAX taking going to the movies a little more serious than the standard crowd. IMAX equals fun for me.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by MrsMiniver

I don't have an issue with IMAX. Their film based presentations were better than than the digital presentations but I still enjoy the IMAX Digital shows. I usually know what I'm getting, bright consistent picture, decent sound (a bit loud) and reserve seating. And usually those who go to IMAX taking going to the movies a little more serious than the standard crowd. IMAX equals fun for me.

while the Dolby Atmos mix was a trip for 'Guardians of the Galaxy' - I thought the IMAX version with the expanded scenes was by far one of the most engaging 'fun' experiences in years.

[Quake1028]

I am finally going to see Age of Ultron on Tuesday night. Should I go for IMAX 3D?

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

while the Dolby Atmos mix was a trip for 'Guardians of the Galaxy' - I thought the IMAX version with the expanded scenes was by far one of the most engaging 'fun' experiences in years.

For whatever reason, I just can't get into Atmos. I'm really more interested in the image as standard audio is fine for me.

[UFAlien]

Originally Posted by Quake1028

I am finally going to see Age of Ultron on Tuesday night. Should I go for IMAX 3D?

Depends on what the alternatives are, I suppose. Fair warning; it's not the kind of "fun, exciting, throw-stuff-atcha" 3D a lot of people look for in action flicks. Very little pop out. But if you're more concerned with depth and/or the big screen, I'd say go for it. There's plenty of spectacle to justify the largeness of presentation.

[Spike M.]

Originally Posted by Trigen

I hate the recent trend that loud = good sound reproduction, but for a generation growing up listening to ipod earplugs, everything sounds good.

I think full = good, and unfortunately on a subpar sound system that means loud.

In general, volume should be set so that dialogue sounds clear and full, letting action fall where it may be. What bugs the hell out of me is when something like Tom Hardy's opening voice over in Mad Max sounds weak. Too many projectionists pick a random action scene in a movie and set volume to whatever sounds fine there, which negates how sound mixes actually work.

I've had far more experiences with being frustrated with how low volume is vs how high it is, but to each their own.

[Quake1028]

Originally Posted by UFAlien

Depends on what the alternatives are, I suppose. Fair warning; it's not the kind of "fun, exciting, throw-stuff-atcha" 3D a lot of people look for in action flicks. Very little pop out. But if you're more concerned with depth and/or the big screen, I'd say go for it. There's plenty of spectacle to justify the largeness of presentation.

Sounds like perfection to me. Thanks!

[xbs2034]

I've recently seen The Water Diviner (at AMC Lincoln Square) and Mad Max Fury Road (at AMC Empire) in IMAX digital. Which is nice, as both films were limited releases not available to everyone, I (mostly) enjoyed them both, and they looked and sounded great in IMAX. But I have to say, what I'm really waiting for is the IMAX laser system, sadly that doesn't seem to be coming near me anytime particularly soon (one thing that bugs me about the Lincoln Square IMAX is ever since it converted to digital from 70mm in Fall of 2013 the image is now windowboxed as the digital projectors couldn't fill the screen size).

Can anyone whose seen laser IMAX (I believe it is now in a few US locations) comment on it, and how it compares to the sadly gone 70MM IMAX (easily the best format I've seen) and IMAX digital (a step down for sure, but I still think better than regular theaters or chain owned PLFs from what I've seen- even among sound I think IMAX is more impressive than Atmos, but the five films I've seen in Atmos were non-IMAX releases so may not be a fair comparison)

[Trigen]

The Imax ceiling speakers are considerably smaller than the other seven at the TCL Chinese. Wonder if they get overwhelmed by the others.

Since Barco supplies the Imax projectors, what is stopping Barco from supplying similar or better spec projectors to other theatre chain?

[Scorpion Soldier]

Originally Posted by Trigen

Since Barco supplies the Imax projectors, what is stopping Barco from supplying similar or better spec projectors to other theatre chain?

Contract guidelines. Good chance IMAX has an exclusivity agreement with them in exchange for a relevant sum of money when they set up the contracts.

[BozQ]

Originally Posted by Trigen

The Imax ceiling speakers are considerably smaller than the other seven at the TCL Chinese. Wonder if they get overwhelmed by the others.

Since Barco supplies the Imax projectors, what is stopping Barco from supplying similar or better spec projectors to other theatre chain?

Wow. That's how the IMAX theatre look like at the TCL Chinese Theatre?

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by Scorpion Soldier

Contract guidelines. Good chance IMAX has an exclusivity agreement with them in exchange for a relevant sum of money when they set up the contracts.

This.

[Spike M.]

I was waiting to hear someone do a Dolby Vision vs IMAX laser comparison with Tomorrowland, since it's the first time the IMAX lasers have had something 4K to play. Guess Tomorrowland being terrible is going to prevent anyone from seeing it twice, lol.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

I've recently seen The Water Diviner (at AMC Lincoln Square) and Mad Max Fury Road (at AMC Empire) in IMAX digital. Which is nice, as both films were limited releases not available to everyone, I (mostly) enjoyed them both, and they looked and sounded great in IMAX. But I have to say, what I'm really waiting for is the IMAX laser system, sadly that doesn't seem to be coming near me anytime particularly soon (one thing that bugs me about the Lincoln Square IMAX is ever since it converted to digital from 70mm in Fall of 2013 the image is now windowboxed as the digital projectors couldn't fill the screen size).

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.

Originally Posted by xbs2034

Can anyone whose seen laser IMAX (I believe it is now in a few US locations) comment on it, and how it compares to the sadly gone 70MM IMAX (easily the best format I've seen) and IMAX digital (a step down for sure, but I still think better than regular theaters or chain owned PLFs from what I've seen- even among sound I think IMAX is more impressive than Atmos, but the five films I've seen in Atmos were non-IMAX releases so may not be a fair comparison)

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.

Originally Posted by Trigen

The Imax ceiling speakers are considerably smaller than the other seven at the TCL Chinese. Wonder if they get overwhelmed by the others.

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

[jscoggins]

Yup, I'm glad that they took their time to get it right. The laser projectors can fill the entire Giant IMAX screen.

[Panemlights]

I really want to see how good the Dolby Cinemas are. A few AMC Prime locations have been converted to it. There's one north of Houston with another one converting soon, but they're way too far from me.

Anyone get a chance to watch Tomorrowland in Dolby Vision?

[jscoggins]

Here's something interesting happening this weekend:

IMAX is alternating showtimes between San Andreas (new) and Tomorrowland (second weekend).

Some PLF screens (such as Cinemark XD) are following this pattern, too.

Moreover, Regal is alternating between 3D and 2D showtimes on their RPX screens.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by jscoggins

Here's something interesting happening this weekend:

IMAX is alternating showtimes between San Andreas (new) and Tomorrowland (second weekend).

Some PLF screens (such as Cinemark XD) are following this pattern, too.

Moreover, Regal is alternating between 3D and 2D showtimes on their RPX screens.

Can't speak for Regal or Cinemark, but with Tomorrowland being an absolute bomb, IMAX has had to do something for their locations.

IMAX makes money, but they make it only if the movie is a hit or is doing well. Tomorrowland was booked for two weeks in IMAX and it has obviously flopped. IMAX should of released Mad Max in North American but who knew that Mad Max would hold up this well. Mad Max is the perfect movie for IMAX.

As IMAX gets bigger and bigger, the wrong movie opening on all of their screens becomes a disaster when the movie bombs. Strange as it sounds, IMAX would of loved to get their hands on Pitch Perfect 2 and they would of loved to re-think their decision of not releasing Mad Max in North America.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by MrsMiniver

Can't speak for Regal or Cinemark, but with Tomorrowland being an absolute bomb, IMAX has had to do something for their locations.

IMAX makes money, but they make it only if the movie is a hit or is doing well. Tomorrowland was booked for two weeks in IMAX and it has obviously flopped. IMAX should of released Mad Max in North American but who knew that Mad Max would hold up this well. Mad Max is the perfect movie for IMAX.

As IMAX gets bigger and bigger, the wrong movie opening on all of their screens becomes a disaster when the movie bombs. Strange as it sounds, IMAX would of loved to get their hands on Pitch Perfect 2 and they would of loved to re-think their decision of not releasing Mad Max in North America.

IMAX screens will carry Mad Max in June.