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

[Creed]

Originally Posted by Scorpion Soldier

No official confirmation yet on the IMAX website or anything, but when I watched Batman V Superman in IMAX I got an X-Men: Apocalypse trailer with the "experience it in IMAX 3D" tag at the end, so it looks like we're getting a digital IMAX release for that.

The Portugal TV spot says IMAX 3D, so it's official.

[Spike M.]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

oohhhh - didn't know that ... so how many DCP's are created for say a movie that goes out to standard theaters, Dolby Cinema, IMAX-digital and IMAX-laser? four?

Well for a standard theater it's just the standard DCP you quoted above. Dolby then makes their own in HDR (my guess would be they just used the probably 2K DI, but they could have gone back to the 4K IMAX elements for all I know). IMAX has their process obviously, again, not sure if they go back to the 4K elements or just go with the 2K DI since it's easier and cheaper (plus it's safe to assume IMAX 3D is still 2K limited, like a DCP, we haven't heard otherwise and I'm sure they'd brag if they had "cracked it").

Debts, it's a quote from the ASC article.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Spike M.

Well for a standard theater it's just the standard DCP you quoted above. Dolby then makes their own in HDR (my guess would be they just used the probably 2K DI, but they could have gone back to the 4K IMAX elements for all I know). IMAX has their process obviously, again, not sure if they go back to the 4K elements or just go with the 2K DI since it's easier and cheaper (plus it's safe to assume IMAX 3D is still 2K limited, like a DCP, we haven't heard otherwise and I'm sure they'd brag if they had "cracked it").

Debts, it's a quote from the ASC article.

I believe the IMAX DCPs for laser and digital are handled separately (if only because of the different demands of the projection systems), so it'd be crazy if the 4K Laser showings weren't using the final 4K grade so they could at least take advantage of IMAX's main USP on IMAX's premium format! I've no idea what they did though, it's a pity the ASC article doesn't delve a bit deeper on the IMAX workflow like they did for Nolan's movies.

Still, anything that's "IMAX digital 3D" is indeed 2K, nothing's changed on that front: the whole point is that the laser system *is* the 4K upgrade that IMAX has been crying out for. So if [whatever] IMAX presentation ain't laser and it ain't film...it's plain old 2K digital (hence the different IMAX DCPs for the laser and digital variants).

Yeah, the 35mm stuff in BvS is at 2K but I'll bet cash money that it'll still look better blown up to 15/70 than Nolan's 6K scanned 35mm footage.

Originally Posted by dvdmike

Did you see it?

Not yet, I'm going next week.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I believe the IMAX DCPs for laser and digital are handled separately (if only because of the different demands of the projection systems), so it'd be crazy if the 4K Laser showings weren't using the final 4K grade so they could at least take advantage of IMAX's main USP on IMAX's premium format! I've no idea what they did though, it's a pity the ASC article doesn't delve a bit deeper on the IMAX workflow like they did for Nolan's movies.

Still, anything that's "IMAX digital 3D" is indeed 2K, nothing's changed on that front: the whole point is that the laser system *is* the 4K upgrade that IMAX has been crying out for. So if [whatever] IMAX presentation ain't laser and it ain't film...it's plain old 2K digital (hence the different IMAX DCPs for the laser and digital variants).

Yeah, the 35mm stuff in BvS is at 2K but I'll bet cash money that it'll still look better blown up to 15/70 than Nolan's 6K scanned 35mm footage.


Not yet, I'm going next week.

Yes, IMAX has confirmed all the laser releases have a separate master from their digital system.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/beh...placing-791037

[Spike M.]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Yeah, the 35mm stuff in BvS is at 2K but I'll bet cash money that it'll still look better blown up to 15/70 than Nolan's 6K scanned 35mm footage.

It did not, lol.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

Yes, IMAX has confirmed all the laser releases have a separate master from their digital system.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/beh...placing-791037

Thanks for the confirmation. An interesting lil' titbit from that article is that the laser system is intended to replace 15/70 at the "75 or more screens above 80 ft. and for new builds", so THAT explains why the BFI IMAX has been looked over for a laser install. The screen may be "the biggest in Britain" but at a mere 65ft high it's clearly not big enough. Balls.

Originally Posted by Spike M.

It did not, lol.

We'll see.

[Dubstar]

I simply don't 'get' why 35mm is downrezzed to 2K when it yield's a higher resolution than 4K digital - oh well [sigh]

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

I simply don't 'get' why 35mm is downrezzed to 2K when it yield's a higher resolution than 4K digital - oh well [sigh]

Look to the 3D. As long as it remains a popular theatrical fixture and doesn't move into the 4K realm then 2K finishing will still dominate the landscape.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

I simply don't 'get' why 35mm is downrezzed to 2K when it yield's a higher resolution than 4K digital - oh well [sigh]

24p exposed 35MM tops out around 3.5K and that's for anamorphic. Flat/Super35 is usually less.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Tony208

$28 not sure on Atmos haven't been there yet

Saw 4DX BvS at Union Square last night, doesn't seem to have Atmos, just the regular sound system.

The whole effects were really cool for the first 15 minutes, but there is a reason that is usually something for theme park rides, as it gets tiring and even uncomfortable at moments over a whole movie (the fact that it was a 2.5 hour movie and only seats available were in the first row did not help things). Still, there were great moments even later on in the film (the wind effects were probably the best) and you can turn off the water effects if you can want (which I did for most of the movie).

Like to give it at least one more try with a shorter film and better seat (see Jungle Book is scheduled to play there in 4dx), but I found IMAX to be the better way to see the film, and $28 is at a price point where I wouldn't want to make seeing a movie in 4dx a regular thing.

[Dreamliner330]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

Saw 4DX BvS at Union Square last night.

This guy got mega butt hurt over 4DX:

http://www.theverge.com/2016/4/1/113...rience-torture

I really enjoy IMAX and will always see a film in that format if it's available, Dolby Atmos is a close second and regardless of what version I see I think either would benefit a lot from a bass kicker in the seat.

[Geoff D]

Caught the 15/70 version of BvS today. The proper IMAX stuff looked stunning, I liked how the movie was bookended with IMAX scenes and also used it for the Knightmare and the BvS fight. Good framing too, it wasn't as rigidly 2.40 safe as Nolan's IMAX stuff and they used the height brilliantly.

I've gotta 'fess up and say that the 35mm looked hardly better than that seen in Nolan's movies, fair enough, but that a 2K scan of one looks virtually the same as a 6K scan of another (before being blown up)...well, that doesn't reflect too well on 35mm anamorphic as a taking format, not when using such idiosyncratic glass anyway.

I spotted some scenes where the 65mm 5-perf was used, like when

[Show spoiler]Lex is in jail right at the end, the shot of his head being shaved was 15/70 but for the whole bit when Bats is about to brand him they switched to 5/65 and went back to 15/70 for the following shot of the painting in Lex's study.

[Dubstar]

saw 'BvS' today at AMC Tyson's new 'Dolby Cinema' screen and I have to say it was a mixed bag - excellent Atmos sound, terrible movie to judge the laser image since the filmed sources are varied - but on the whole quite impressive - displays deep black levels to excellent effect.

The negative, the projectionist needs to hon his ability to merge the dual projector setup, he (or she) didn't quite get it right, resulting in the very right hand side of the screen to be double imaged/out of focus looking.

The worse offensive though is the floor/side wall lighting (rows A-C) bounce the light back up onto the screen, resulting in red light splotching on the screen during the movie. In a darkly lit movie like 'Batman vs. Superman' it was a glaring visible annoyance. According to an IndieWire article on Dolby Cinema this shouldn't happen:

"The interior design is purposeful, and meant to virtually eliminate any light or color interference. The designers have even utilized new low ambient LED lighting for the aisles and stairs, which still comply with safety, but greatly reduce the amount of light that could interfere with the projection experience."

the vibrating seats was fun, but after an hour or so, I wanted to be able to disable it.

I liked the movie, will check out the IMAX-laser incarnation next week to compare.

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

saw 'BvS' today at AMC Tyson's new 'Dolby Cinema' screen and I have to say it was a mixed bag - excellent Atmos sound, terrible movie to judge the laser image since the filmed sources are varied - but on the whole quite impressive - displays deep black levels to excellent effect.

The negative, the projectionist needs to hon his ability to merge the dual projector setup, he (or she) didn't quite get it right, resulting in the very right hand side of the screen to be double imaged/out of focus looking.

The worse offensive though is the floor/side wall lighting (rows A-C) bounce the light back up onto the screen, resulting in red light splotching on the screen during the movie. In a darkly lit movie like 'Batman vs. Superman' it was a glaring visible annoyance. According to an IndieWire article on Dolby Cinema this shouldn't happen:

"The interior design is purposeful, and meant to virtually eliminate any light or color interference. The designers have even utilized new low ambient LED lighting for the aisles and stairs, which still comply with safety, but greatly reduce the amount of light that could interfere with the projection experience."

the vibrating seats was fun, but after an hour or so, I wanted to be able to disable it.

I liked the movie, will check out the IMAX-laser incarnation next week to compare.

I always wondered how they got the projectors in complete alignment. Decades ago, I used to produce multi-image slide shows (with up to 30 projectors) and it was impossible to keep the projectors in exact alignment. The projectors were held down with strong springs, but they'd still move. We'd be aligning before and after every show.

But I've been to the AMC Empire 25 (NYC) Dolby Vision theater at least 3-4 times and I've never seen any alignment problems whatsoever. I was always surprised by this. If they weren't in alignment in your case, it was probably not the projectionist's fault since they probably didn't have any responsibility for the setup. Whoever set it up blew it and it might have been someone from Dolby.

At the Empire 25, the only screen reflection of the lights are the EXIT lights, which Dolby tried to get rid of, but is a Fire Department regulation in NYC. The speakers light up in red, but those are turned off during the show. They didn't keep those on, did they?

I also wished the vibrating seats could be shut off. Luckily, the last few films I saw used them very sparingly. I find that they're mainly active during the trailers.

While the picture presentation quality was great, I have to say that I haven't really heard great Atmos sound as yet in that particular theater. To be honest, I'm not hearing all the distinctions and channel separation that I would expect to hear. There have been so many scenes where I've thought something like, "oh, the sound of the rain and birds should be coming from the ceiling and the trees blowing should be in the surrounds", but I haven't perceived that. I've also heard Atmos at the Dolby Screening Room and although it's a small room with fewer Atmos channels, it sounded better there. And of course, it varies tremendously from film to film, since sometimes they take Atmos seriously and sometimes they just make a few things objects so they can promote that it's in Atmos.

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

Saw 4DX BvS at Union Square last night, doesn't seem to have Atmos, just the regular sound system.

The whole effects were really cool for the first 15 minutes, but there is a reason that is usually something for theme park rides, as it gets tiring and even uncomfortable at moments over a whole movie (the fact that it was a 2.5 hour movie and only seats available were in the first row did not help things). Still, there were great moments even later on in the film (the wind effects were probably the best) and you can turn off the water effects if you can want (which I did for most of the movie).

Like to give it at least one more try with a shorter film and better seat (see Jungle Book is scheduled to play there in 4dx), but I found IMAX to be the better way to see the film, and $28 is at a price point where I wouldn't want to make seeing a movie in 4dx a regular thing.

If you watch a movie about fighting terrorism, do you get waterboarded if you sit in the 4DX seats?

[Geoff D]

AFAIK they use laser alignment to get the overlapping projectors just so.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

I always wondered how they got the projectors in complete alignment. Decades ago, I used to produce multi-image slide shows (with up to 30 projectors) and it was impossible to keep the projectors in exact alignment. The projectors were held down with strong springs, but they'd still move. We'd be aligning before and after every show.

But I've been to the AMC Empire 25 (NYC) Dolby Vision theater at least 3-4 times and I've never seen any alignment problems whatsoever. I was always surprised by this. If they weren't in alignment in your case, it was probably not the projectionist's fault since they probably didn't have any responsibility for the setup. Whoever set it up blew it and it might have been someone from Dolby.

At the Empire 25, the only screen reflection of the lights are the EXIT lights, which Dolby tried to get rid of, but is a Fire Department regulation in NYC. The speakers light up in red, but those are turned off during the show. They didn't keep those on, did they?

I also wished the vibrating seats could be shut off. Luckily, the last few films I saw used them very sparingly. I find that they're mainly active during the trailers.

While the picture presentation quality was great, I have to say that I haven't really heard great Atmos sound as yet in that particular theater. To be honest, I'm not hearing all the distinctions and channel separation that I would expect to hear. There have been so many scenes where I've thought something like, "oh, the sound of the rain and birds should be coming from the ceiling and the trees blowing should be in the surrounds", but I haven't perceived that. I've also heard Atmos at the Dolby Screening Room and although it's a small room with fewer Atmos channels, it sounded better there. And of course, it varies tremendously from film to film, since sometimes they take Atmos seriously and sometimes they just make a few things objects so they can promote that it's in Atmos.

What was strange about the alignment issue is that the few of us who were there five minutes before showtime watched the projection grid displayed on the screen, so yes oddly it's manually adjustable.

In terms of the auditorium lighting yes thankfully the wall lights did go out. Here in the DC metro area exit lighting is either red or light green - the best theaters feature the latter as they are visibly unobtrusive. Regal Bethesda is the worst with red exits sign literally right next to the screens - I avoid this theater like the plague. Dolby Atmos here is generally pretty good but in my mind Arclight Bethesda' s "widescreen" Atmos sound system is superior sounding.

[The Debts]

Anyone seeing HARDCORE HENRY this weekend in any PLF formats?

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by The Debts

Anyone seeing HARDCORE HENRY this weekend in any PLF formats?

I'm toggling whether or not I want to do the Dolby Cinema presentation of this at Tysons or just hear it in Atmos over at the Arclight. Given the size of the Dolby screen I'd be afraid I might hurl with all the frenetic camera movement

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

I'm toggling whether or not I want to do the Dolby Cinema presentation of this at Tysons or just hear it in Atmos over at the Arclight. Given the size of the Dolby screen I'd be afraid I might hurl with all the frenetic camera movement

Yeah, that's a film I would not recommend seeing in a PLF. I saw it in a slightly smaller than average multiplex screen, and still had to look away from the screen a couple times to avoid getting dizzy.