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Topic: Dolby Cinema at AMC Installs Accelerated

Daniel Schulz
Master Film Handler

Posts: 387
From: Los Angeles, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 08-26-2016 10:12 AM

quote: Steve Guttag
Dolby Cinema should be able to play back 3D. They use a 6P laser system (3 primaries on each projector) with extra large glasses.

Dolby Cinema *can* play back 3D; I saw The Jungle Book in 3D Dolby Vision at the El Capitan in Hollywood. However, it does seem as if all the AMC Dolby Cinema bookings are in 2D.

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Jonathan Goeldner
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1360
From: Washington, District of Columbia
Registered: Jun 2008

posted 08-26-2016 01:53 PM

from what I read about the rollout theatrical release of 'The Jungle Book' in '3D Dolby Cinema', was that only three theaters nationally played it as such, one being the El Capitan (which technically is not what Dolby is doing with it's AMC installs) - the other two (AMC's) theater's are escaping me at the moment.

quote: Bobby Henderson
With movie studios still putting so much emphasis on 3D it would seem like a very backward move to push an expensive premium theater concept boasting laser projection and Atmos, but not be able to handle 3D.

If Dolby Cinema theater's can playback in 3D, then why hasn't there been more shown as such/advertised ? AMC Tyson's certainly has not been showing anything in 3D on it's DC screen.

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Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!

Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 08-26-2016 05:45 PM

3D is very much on the downswing (thankfully). That said, we are adding Dolby 3D to an existing theatre next week. But overall, we are not putting much in. What is in seems to be used less and less and I know of one site that has stopped offering it altogether.

I would think that Dolby Vision, at the moment, would be limited to what the Christie IMB S2 can handle, in terms of 3D. Unless something has changed, that was the server that is handling it.

The only server I know of that handles 4K 3D is the Barco Alchemy.

It should be noted that even on the home market, 3D is on the down swing where HDMI 2 does not support 3D either and there are no plans to add it. If consumers were clamoring for 3D, they would have planned it in a bit.

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Bobby Henderson
"Ask me about Trajan."

Posts: 10973
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 08-26-2016 06:15 PM

quote: Jonathan Goeldner
If Dolby Cinema theater's can playback in 3D, then why hasn't there been more shown as such/advertised?

Maybe it's a price thing. If AMC is already charging upwards or over $20 for a 2D Dolby Cinema show they might really be asking for it by tacking on another $3 or $4 to an already sky high price for 3D.

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Jonathan Goeldner
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1360
From: Washington, District of Columbia
Registered: Jun 2008

posted 08-26-2016 06:54 PM

but if Dolby does it's own color grading and all, they then downcovert it to 2K (?) - now THAT makes no sense, talk about two steps forward two steps back.

3D maybe on the downswing, but we haven't yet seen 'Avatar 2' (in the theater), or even 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' which LucasFilm wrangled out of Disney Home Video's fingers and is releasing on bluray come this November.

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Buck Wilson
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 894
From: St. Joseph MO, USA
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 08-27-2016 05:01 PM

The only reason 3D is even still hanging on is because of forced bookings, we are supposed to maintain a ratio and all the customers hate it. 3D typically fills the prime time slots, too. So customers are forced to see 3D or leave.

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Mike Olpin
Chop Chop!

Posts: 1852
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 08-27-2016 07:58 PM

I came away positively impressed with the Dolby Cinema at AMC Northpark. Light control at the front end is very good, no glow at all. Deep blacks, bright rich colors. I'd say it is the best I've ever seen digital cinema look.

Sound is at the better end of Atmos rooms that I've heard. They do have transducers in the seats that go off whenever the LFE channel goes past a certain threshold. As gimmicky as it sounds, I found I really like it.

I purposefully look to see if a film I want to watch is available in this room before I look anywhere else.

I came away less impressed with the Dolby Cinema installation at Village on the Parkway. There was a bit of glow on the lower corners due to aisle lighting, which does really take away most of the contrast benefits of Dolby Vision. I also feel the slope of the room is much too steep. Distance from entry to first riser is at least 7 feet!

Northpark's Dolby conversion came much later than Village's, so I'm optimistic that they are learning and improving from each install to the next.

Lack of 3D may be due to an exclusivity agreement between AMC and Real D that bars them from using Dolby 3D. Just a rumor I've heard.

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Jonathan Goeldner
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1360
From: Washington, District of Columbia
Registered: Jun 2008

posted 08-28-2016 01:35 PM

quote: Mike Olpin
They do have transducers in the seats that go off whenever the LFE channel goes past a certain threshold. As gimmicky as it sounds, I found I really like it.

maybe it was my initial introduction to the system, but during 'Batman vs Superman' it was goddamn annoying and intrusive (there should be a manual adjust if you want that feature or not). Went to see the movie again, but this time in IMAX-laser, much preferred that experience.

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Lyle Romer
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1400
From: Davie, FL, USA
Registered: May 2002

posted 08-28-2016 06:08 PM

quote: Mike Olpin
Lack of 3D may be due to an exclusivity agreement between AMC and Real D that bars them from using Dolby 3D. Just a rumor I've heard.

Could be possible. I know the standard Real-D agreement had exclusivity for 3D in the building for a number of years.

The only thing I wonder is why IMAX 3D would be allowed but not Dolby. Unless they exempted IMAX in the contract but not Dolby Cinema because it didn't exist at the time.

Either way, I'm glad they don't show 3D in Dolby Cinema and hope that continues. I'd like to see it when they convert a location near me and I HATE 3D.

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Mark J. Marshall
Film God

Posts: 3188
From: New Castle, DE, USA
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 08-30-2016 03:20 PM

I kind of like 3D, and I would be eager to spend money to see a 4K 3D laser presentation with ass kicking sound.

Sounds like I may have to wait a while longer and maybe travel a bit farther when the time comes.

But that's OK.

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