Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Did Imax ever crossprint to 8:70???

This is topic Did Imax ever crossprint to 8:70??? in forum Large Format Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Jan Hackett (Member # 1231) on 07-22-2002, 03:28 PM:

Just wondering if anyone knows of a time Imax allowed crossprinting and what titles??

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 07-22-2002, 05:25 PM:

I could have sworn some of the recent IMAX branded 15/70 films have also been downprinted to 8/70, but I could not tell on a specific title by title basis.

Other non-IMAX branded films like "Everest" have been released in both 15/70 and 8/70.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 07-22-2002, 10:19 PM:

The only cross printing of IMAX produced titles is the space films as they have an agreement with NASA over there use
THe rest are for IMAX branded theatres exclusivly
Independent producers allow everything

Posted by Jan Hackett (Member # 1231) on 07-23-2002, 10:37 AM:

Gordon....What kind of agreement with NASA do they have? Do you have any specifics or examples??? BTW I am buying you a really big beer in toronto for GSTA ; )

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 07-23-2002, 10:58 AM:

Some links:
http://www.1570.com
http://www.bigmoviezone.com/main.html
http://www.imax.com
http://www.iwerks.com/
http://www.cinemadevelopmentcompany.com/
http://www.cinergetics.com/
http://www.giantscreentheater.com
http://www.lfca.org/
http://www.lfca.org/Post.htm
http://www.aerospaced.org/imax/current/destiny/cooperating_inst.html
http://www.geocities.com/TEG2/IMAX/
http://www.1570films.com/

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 07-23-2002, 08:39 PM:

The space films were actually produced by the Space film concortium
I would sujest contacting the IMAX theatre at the Cape Centre
The Dream is Alive you might want to contact the Smithosnian Institute as they were one of the funding partners

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 07-23-2002, 11:42 PM:

The Everest people have an interest in Mega Systems a 8-70 supplier.
Richard Fowler
TVP-Theatre & Video Products Inc. www.tvpmiami.com

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 07-24-2002, 01:54 AM:

I know this isn't very helpful to Jan (and there's always the danger that this thread could go off-topic)

...but I have to ask...

If they're prepared to downprint to DVD then why won't they downprint to 8/70?

(Don't answer that.)

Posted by Jan Hackett (Member # 1231) on 07-25-2002, 09:01 AM:

Manny...what a profound thought..........

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 07-25-2002, 11:55 AM:

My last post mentioned Everest.....It was the Olympic Glory film people who have an interest in Mega-Systems.
Richard Fowler
TVP-Theatre & Video Products Inc. www.tvpmiami.com

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 07-25-2002, 12:56 PM:

Manny--I know you said not to answer, but I will anyway.

IMAX probably views 8/70 as competition for their 15/70 format, while they consider DVD to be an entirely different market altogether. I tend to agree with this sentiment--to watch an IMAX film on DVD is no substitute for seeing a proper presentation in a "real" IMAX venue. By contrast, 8/70 essentially competes with IMAX in the lower end of the large-format market, and I can understand why IMAX would want to maintain a library of films which are exclusive to the 15/70 format in order to encourage people to install IMAX instead of other large-format systems (8/70, 10/70, etc.).

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 07-25-2002, 01:15 PM:

On Imax-released home videos, they usually have a commercial before the feature about experiencing the film in an Imax theater environment.

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 07-25-2002, 01:20 PM:

I've never seen an 8/70 film (although I know someone with an 8/70 converted Norelco AA-II) but photographic science would suggest that the reduction print would contain most of the resolution of the larger format and probably surpass a print made from an 8/70 original (although that would be less the case if the 8/70 originated prints were all contact off the EK). Assuming the screen is a bit smaller and more appropriate to the amount of light you can push through the smaller frame the results should be excellent.

Posted by Jan Hackett (Member # 1231) on 07-25-2002, 02:46 PM:

"the lower end of the large-format market"........... 8:70 is an incredibly excellent format. I have seen an IMAX theater that could not compare to my large format theater. My screen size sound performance and presentation were in all ways very superior. IMAx could make a mark for itself if it stopped leasing equipment and had fair distribution rights. They are monopolistic in their business practices and want to hold on to that monopoly, yet depend on the rest of the large format world for product. This is corporate greed at its height and it shall backfire on them.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 07-25-2002, 05:31 PM:

I've seen only a few 8/70 films, typically at amusement parks. Six Flags over Texas had their "Mach III" ride, which was replaced by a 3D dinosaur movie produced by Iwerks. I don't think that particular installation was the best thing to show off 8/70. The picture looked kind of dim and wasn't properly focused. I'm pretty sure this is of no fault to the film format but rather the projection setup on that motion simulator ride.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 07-26-2002, 12:59 AM:

I don't believe I've ever seen an 8/70 print (though I'm a big fan of 5/70), but I'm sure it's a great format.

My point was that there would be little reason for anyone to install IMAX equipment if the same film library were available in 8/70, given that the 8/70 equipment and prints are significantly cheaper. Thus, IMAX is using its film library to gain a competitive advantage over the 8/70 and 10/70 competitors.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 07-26-2002, 02:06 AM:

The 10/70 format is VERY rare and mostly used for special venue shows. Probably less than 10 worldwide...mostly in Asia.
Many, MANY, 1570 films were at least partly shot with 870 cameras and blown up to 1570.
It's virtually impossible to tell the difference between 870 and 1570 projection on screens as large as 80 feet. That is assuming the projector is properly maintained.
I've seen 1570 presentations and 870 presentations that I would not show to my dead grandma. On the other hand, I have seen 1570 and 870 motion projection that the chart-image appeared to be painted on the screen or shown from a slide projector....NO ghosting and NO jump/weave...great flat illumination.... etc.
One thing that REALLY bugs me about 1570 3D projection is image movement relative to each eye. It is really hard to obtain a "rock steady" image with the rolling-loop projection system. Stability is really bad with the dual-rotor rolling-loop machines...I have yet to see one that will match a 2-machine 3D setup. The BEST 1570 and 870 3D I have seen is with separate left-eye and right-eye projectors.
Other (much overlooked) "great image" factors are lens resolving power, magnification factor, and machine vibration that contributes to a "soft" image. A premium 1570 lens can cost between $40K and $65K depending on the application...870s can run $18K to $60K.

>>> Phil

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 07-26-2002, 09:05 AM:

Rochester NY has both an IMAX theatre with a pair of new IMAX SR (small rotor) projectors (Cinemark Tinseltown), and a 8-perf 70mm Pioneer linear loop system at the Strasenberg Planetarium (dome screen):
Rochester Cinemark Tinseltown IMAX
Rochester Strasenberg Planetarium 8-perf 70mm
BigMovieZone

Posted by Scott Manley (Member # 867) on 07-26-2002, 09:27 PM:

Bobby said........I don't think that particular installation was the best thing to show off 8/70.

They must have been stretching the life out of the bulbs.......I installed the 3D system there......and originally looked very good.

Posted by Jan Hackett (Member # 1231) on 07-28-2002, 10:02 AM:

Gordon...yu think IMAX's "Space Station" would fall under this Space act agreement?

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 07-28-2002, 10:06 AM:

Don't know but the most likely contacts would either by the IMAX theatre at the Cape or the Nat Air and Space Museum as they were co producers of the"Space Films"

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 07-28-2002, 10:10 AM:

I've never seen 8-70. Are there any installations in the uk?

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 07-28-2002, 11:19 AM:

Mega Systems have two 8-70 units in the U.K. I do not know the locations.
Richard Fowler
TVP-Theatre & Video Products Inc. www.tvpmiami.com

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 07-28-2002, 04:56 PM:

There are 8/70 Iwerks projectors in Scotland at Loch Lomond (350 seats) and in Midlothian at the UGC Extreme Screen (295 seats).

In England, there is an Iwerks projector at the Warner Village in South Wirral and two Mega projectors at the City of Durham Millennium Project (250 seats) and in Penrith at the Upland Kingdom Discovery Center (250 seats).

Posted by Dick Vaughan (Member # 540) on 07-29-2002, 02:53 AM:

Adam
UGC Extreme Screen in Midlothian closed some time ago, not sure on equipment status

Warner Village South Wirral (Cheshire Oaks) was 3D but they have removed one projector and just (last Friday) replaced the silver screen with a standard matt white surface.
They have ? are installing 35mm so they can run MIB II .