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Topic: Film Stock Improvement/Older IMAX doesn't look so hot

Terry Lynn-Stevens
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1081
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2012

posted 08-31-2014 02:51 PM

quote: Connor Wilson
Earlier this year, I've been to a Philadelphia OMNIMAX at The Franklin Institute to see "Ring of Fire" (1991). The 20+ year old print was pristine with very, very light scratches and dirt. Having been struck from a film source rather than digital, the picture was very good, though there were some abnormalities.

I am curious to know, how do you know that the print was an original print?

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Connor Wilson
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 190
From: Sterling, VA, USA
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 08-31-2014 05:53 PM

It may be a re-print, but the soundtrack was most definitely analog, as I heard the clicks and pops in the soundtrack. So if it was a reprint, it's pre-DDP, which also means pre-1995.

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Marcel Birgelen
Film God

Posts: 3357
From: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2012

posted 09-01-2014 06:32 AM

For what it's worth, I was in Phantasialand yesterday. A theme park in the vicinity of Cologne.

They do have an IMAX dome/OMNIMAX "HD" ride system there, running just a single short film in front of a bunch of simulator vehicles.

I will not judge OMNIMAX based on this experience because I had quite a few good experiences in purpose built OMNIMAX theaters, but it was rather awful.

The movie they're currently playing called "Race for Atlantis" is a computer generated feature and dates back to 1998. This movie originally ran in France (I guess Futuruscope and seemingly in OMNIMAX 3D, a one of a kind install). It replaced a previous movie, called "Asteroid Adventure/Galaxy" in 2006. I might notice that this previous movie was far better than this one.

Given the rather fluid motions, I guess the feature is in 48 FPS. Unfortunately, this whole ride is falling to pieces and the projection side of things is, unfortunately no exception:

- The picture is extremely dark, I guess they're running their Xenon bulb at the lowest possible Wattage.
- Focus generally wasn't the best, but at regular intervals the whole film went totally out of focus.
- The sound is terrible and had several glitches throughout the show. I would expect such a venue using a digital system, but it feels like they're still running from mag tracks.

There were lots of other issues that aren't related to the IMAX system, so I omit it here.

IMAX still lists this as an IMAX venue. I know IMAX doesn't give too much about quality anymore, but in this case I'm rather astonished the park can still use IMAX in their advertising.

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Terry Lynn-Stevens
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1081
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2012

posted 09-01-2014 12:37 PM

quote: Connor Wilson
It may be a re-print, but the soundtrack was most definitely analog, as I heard the clicks and pops in the soundtrack. So if it was a reprint, it's pre-DDP, which also means pre-1995.

If the film is an older IMAX distributed release, then there is no current DCP of the films. The older IMAX distributed films just recently went to scanning for the upcoming laser release.

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Ivan Plamondon
Film Handler

Posts: 42
From: Welland, Ontario, Canada
Registered: May 2013

posted 09-02-2014 11:33 AM

The Niagara "Miracles, Myths and Magic" movie was filmed in less than optimum lighting conditions back in 80's. Back in 2009, we were running two prints, alternating every hour (MK I reel unit). One had considerably more passes than the other. Also, July 31st was the next scheduled lamp change (normal life span is around 6 weeks during that time of year). We were using an air-cooled, 7kw Superior lamp.

Since June of 2014, we've upgraded to a Quick-time Reel Unit allowing the use of a single print every hour (currently Print # 65). This decreases film damage from the former MK I reel unit rewinding process.

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Marcel Birgelen
Film God

Posts: 3357
From: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2012

posted 09-03-2014 06:53 PM

quote: Terry Lynn-Stevens
If the film is an older IMAX distributed release, then there is no current DCP of the films. The older IMAX distributed films just recently went to scanning for the upcoming laser release.

It has nothing to do with a DCP being present or not. IMAX introduced the digital version of their sound system somewhere around 1995. The analog sound used a 35mm magnetic "tape" with 6 discrete analog audio tracks. So all releases somewhere before 1995 feature only analog sound, with the common issues resulting from worn out magnetic tracks.

You would expect that they would've created DDP releases of their more popular "vintage" documentaries though.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 09-03-2014 09:33 PM

If there was a huge difference in resolution then the original camera negative may be 8/70 and not 15/70. That was common for a while to keep the costs of a production down and the cameras were smaller-lighter.

Mark

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