AMC Theaters to Switch to 'Super HD' 2160p x 4K PROJECTION

[DougMac]

I haven't set foot in a movie theater since right after I finished my home theater last August, and that was a special occasion (we were on vacation with the grandkids and it was raining). It was the one and only time I've seen digital at the theater. It was OK, but obviously not nice enough to get me back.

I'm going to get a piggy bank and every time I think of going to the theater, I'll make a comparable contribution to go to a new 1080p projector for home.

[tivoman]

I've seen I am Legend and Star Wars: Clone Wars both on Sony 4k digital projectors in Indianapolis and it was excellent. I think at the time I saw I am Legend there were only four theatres in the nation that had them. It's definitely something that would lure me away from my home theatre, along with Imax, and I would love if it would become the standard.

[typ44q]

Does anyone know the resolution for the source material that is used for all the 2K Christie projectors that are out there? I know they are very high bitrate copies that ship on hard drives
I wonder if the 4K projectors will get higher resolution copies of the movies or will they be the same version that all the 2K theaters get and just upscale it to 4K
My guess would be that the 4K theaters will just be up scaling the same digital copies that everyone else is using.
Hopefully I am wrong which would give me a reason to go to the theaters again.

[RiseDarthVader]

It depends on what resolution the colour timing is being done at. For example "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (remake) was done at 2K so the 4K projectors would be upscaling it. But generally most of the movies are delivered at 4K and just downscaled for 2K. Some 4K movies that I know of were Quantum of Solace. (although the projectionists thought it was a sub par transfer for a 4K movie.

[typ44q]

well that is certainly promising, now I just have to hope my local theaters upgrade their equipment.
I have a feeling this will take a while as most of them just upgraded to the Christie 2K projectors (which look great compared to the horrible film projectors they had before)

[Dynamo of Eternia]

As awesome as this sounds, and as great as the extra quality will be, it will probably result in their already onboxiously high ticket prices to go even higher. Of all of the movie theaters around me, AMC is the most expensive and has had the fasted increase in ticket prices.

I always try to do their before noon "A.M. cinema" shows when I go to that theater to save money. But even that price is only slightly less than the prime time show tickets for some other theaters in the area.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by RiseDarthVader

It depends on what resolution the colour timing is being done at. For example "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (remake) was done at 2K so the 4K projectors would be upscaling it. But generally most of the movies are delivered at 4K and just downscaled for 2K. Some 4K movies that I know of were Quantum of Solace. (although the projectionists thought it was a sub par transfer for a 4K movie.

what's your source for that info? Of the films that I know about being screened in native 4K are Spidey 3 & Hancock(general release), Blade Runner & Dr. Strangelove at LA Landmark theatre. With all these new 4K systems getting installed let's hope the studios return the favour and deliver movies in 4k harddrive disk form. Warner Bros. so far has been the only studio to make a statement in this regard.

As for the AMC rollout, I'll believe it when I see it, the chain has made alot of false statements in what they want to implement nationally in it's chain: first it was 2K DLP, then REAL-D (3D), next IMAX-Digital and now Sony 4K - pick with something and stick with it. AMC has yet to even confirm an opening date for it's Tysons' Corner IMAX-Digital screen, that was supposed to have opened last Fall.

I saw the Oscar winning animated short 'Peter and the Wolf' (2k source) uprezzed on Landmark's E Street 4K Sony system and it was utterly amazing, the image was so pristine and crystal clear, it was like watching a 3D film without the glasses.

[mustang-gt-2002]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Supposedly the theater near me has a few 4k screens. I haven't really looked into it. They're more expensive than other places, but they also have valet parking, a restaurant, and the whole "experience". I dunno if they're charging more for that or the projection system.

we had a AMC Theater in Madison up at the university but I think they changed owners.
haven't been there in like 10 years. your AMC in milwaukee is the closest one to me.

you have 4K screens already. may have to come that way to see X-Men Origins: Wolverine

[RedIsNotBlue]

So is this effective immediately or what? I haven't been to the movies since I saw The Dark Knight at IMAX but me and some family members were wanting to check out Wolverine. If my local AMC has this going on it would definitely make me wanna go more.

[RiseDarthVader]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

what's your source for that info? Of the films that I know about being screened in native 4K are Spidey 3 & Hancock(general release), Blade Runner & Dr. Strangelove at LA Landmark theatre. With all these new 4K systems getting installed let's hope the studios return the favour and deliver movies in 4k harddrive disk form. Warner Bros. so far has been the only studio to make a statement in this regard.

My source of information is basically what the projectionists at the cinema I work at received when the distributor sent out the HDDs to us. And basically all Sony movies are scanned at 4K now. It's a new policy they made. TDK was also 4K.

[Dubstar]

alot of movies from differing studios are scanned at 4K (downrezzed to 2K for standard DLP) however it's a select few that are projected from a 4K source for theatrical exhibition.

while somewhat on the same subject, AMC has pulled the plug on some of the proposed IMAX-Digital screens, notably the one for Tysons Corner - which would have benefitted on the massive auditorium #3 screen - well, guess I'll now have to wait for it's 4K Sony system.

[serenity]

AMC will only be using the Sony 4k projectors on its largest screens in certain markets. Sony 4k units are extremely expensive and not a viable option to use on every screen. Outside of that they will be using the standard 2k projectors for everything else.

The big problem holding the transition from film to digital cinema is the economy. Deals are already in place for all of this to happen with the major cinema chains but the studios are having a hard time getting the financing from the banks. I would venture to guess the transition will start happening in less than two years. Maybe sooner if the banks lighten up a bit and start releasing money.

[serenity]

Good film projection -- i.e., projection done using a decent print, on well-maintained equipment, using high powered xenon lamp system, and using a screen with a high reflective emulsion -- is unequaled by any current digital technology. You'll get higher resolution, better color depth, and a more natural look in general. You don't even need to seek out 70mm or IMAX, you just need a theater that cares about presentation quality and knows how to optimally project a 35mm film print. When you go to 70mm and IMAX, the image quality can be jaw-dropping.

Even the best 4k DLP digital theater projectors can't hold a candle to what a good 35mm film presentation gives you.

The industry uses film as the reference standard, because it more accurately reflects the intent of the directors, cinematographers, etc. Unfortunately, many multiplex operators don't care much for presentation quality, and the results are on the screen for all to see.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by serenity

Good film projection -- i.e., projection done using a decent print, on well-maintained equipment, using high powered xenon lamp system, and using a screen with a high reflective emulsion -- is unequaled by any current digital technology. You'll get higher resolution, better color depth, and a more natural look in general. You don't even need to seek out 70mm or IMAX, you just need a theater that cares about presentation quality and knows how to optimally project a 35mm film print. When you go to 70mm and IMAX, the image quality can be jaw-dropping.

Even the best 4k DLP digital theater projectors can't hold a candle to what a good 35mm film presentation gives you.

The industry uses film as the reference standard, because it more accurately reflects the intent of the directors, cinematographers, etc. Unfortunately, many multiplex operators don't care much for presentation quality, and the results are on the screen for all to see.

oh no doubt 35mm can still impress. I saw a stunning 35mm print of 'Revolutionary Road' at Landmark Bethesda. One must bare in mind that mass produced 35mm prints for theatrical distribution/projection can produce flaws that aren't inherient to what was actually filmed. Film festival prints where the number of prints struck are considerably less is most ideal. Two films I saw at FilmFest DC were nearly flawless and produced beautiful stable and vibrant imagery: 'Small Crimes''s photography of the Greece island was captivating. Nowadays reel changes are downright hideous when compared to something like say 70mm reel changes which are generally white rings, less obtrusive. Do the studios really think the folk who splice the 35mm prints together are THAT blind (?).

[Dubstar]

not all director's favour 35mm film, let's not generalize, 'Che', and 'Knowing' where shot with 4K Red One cameras. Even a film like 'Slumdog Millionaires' was shot with standard video camera's and 35mm.

[serenity]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

not all director's favour 35mm film, let's not generalize, 'Che', and 'Knowing' where shot with 4K Red One cameras. Even a film like 'Slumdog Millionaires' was shot with standard video camera's and 35mm.

I agree with you here. I understand their reasoning and especially when it comes to cost and convenience. There is a lot more movies being made due to digital cameras.

I just wanted to let people know that film is still king when it comes image quality and resolution. Especially 70mm. Nothing compares to this when it is properly presented.

[RiseDarthVader]

Yes a fresh print on above standard equipment and others factors will look better then Digital on it's first few runs. But with Digital projection and you also get lossless audio.

[serenity]

Originally Posted by RiseDarthVader

Yes a fresh print on above standard equipment and others factors will look better then Digital on it's first few runs. But with Digital projection and you also get lossless audio.

Actually with proper cleaning and handling. Film prints can look better than when they first arrive at a theater.

I will agree to some extent on the lossless audio argument. But some of the Dolby engineers will argue otherwise. Put on the blind fold and I dare people to hear a difference when a theater is properly EQ'd and set up.

Here is a link discussing a demo that Dolby and DTS did.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-99...html?tag=mncol

[RiseDarthVader]

Problem is at a multiplex you just simply don't have the time to clean any prints. At the cinema I work at which is the busiest in the country the prints are used again after each session. And at the end of the night the projectionists just don't have the time to clean all the prints.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by serenity

I agree with you here. I understand their reasoning and especially when it comes to cost and convenience. There is a lot more movies being made due to digital cameras.

I just wanted to let people know that film is still king when it comes image quality and resolution. Especially 70mm. Nothing compares to this when it is properly presented.

I forgot also 'Apocalypco' which was shot with Genesis HD cameras, I didn't see it in DLP in the theatre, but the 35mm print I saw at Tyson's opening day, first pass through was like looking through a window (sans the reel changes) - the film's aspect ratio 1.85 really took advantage of nearly the entire screen (wall to wall, ceiling to floor).

As for 70mm it isn't dead... yet. Ron Fricke's 2010 film 'Samsara' is being shot in 65mm and will be released as 35mm, Digital Projection and 70mm.

Terrence Malick's 'Tree of Life' is being shot in 70mm but will get IMAX engagements.

I read in Widescreen Review that Sony and Fox did some early tests with 4K resolution (prior to the release of their current projectors) with the scanning of select scenes of the 70mm print of 'The Sound of Music' and the results were that they were mirror image and that 4K can replicate the look of 70mm based films.