Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Toronto Scotiabank IMAX goes digital, no longer plays 15/70 film

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Posted by Terry Lynn-Stevens (Member # 7349) on 08-04-2013, 04:56 PM:

I just found tonight from an employee who works at the Scotiabank IMAX Toronto that the theatre will no longer show 70mm IMAX films. They have currently closed the auditorium for renovations as they are changing over to digital projection.

For those who are not aware, the Scotiabank IMAX auditorium was a purpose built IMAX venue located within the multiplex. The theatre has 408 seats and boasts a screen that is 90 feet. The Scotiabank IMAX was the last theatre in the Greater Toronto Area that was showing IMAX Hollywood films in 70mm.

Cineplex was charging $19.99 for 15/70 shows at this location.

It is a sad day for the Toronto area.

Posted by Ivan Plamondon (Member # 7637) on 08-04-2013, 05:19 PM:

It is the way of the future for these theaters. I wonder if they are running the new laser Barco projectors?

Posted by Terry Lynn-Stevens (Member # 7349) on 08-04-2013, 05:28 PM:

I don't think Cineplex would install the new projector at Scotiabank, they are known for doing things on the cheap. Plus, their other megaplex, the former AMC 24 just 1.5 kms away already has a digital screen how do you advertise it.

I am surprised they have Atmos installed at a few of their cinemas and I was really shocked they re-installed a 70mm projector for The Master at the Varsity.

Posted by Dick Vaughan (Member # 540) on 08-05-2013, 03:28 AM:

The Barco/IMAX laser projectors aren't due to be rolled out for a few months yey AFAIK so they may be installing the current 2K Xenon system as an interim.

Posted by Ivan Plamondon (Member # 7637) on 08-05-2013, 10:16 AM:

Still testing the new laser units? What make projectors (2K) do you think Scotiabank went with?

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 08-05-2013, 10:28 AM:

IMAX has an exclusive BARCO deal. This includes current xenon and future laser illuminated projectors. Previously, they installed Christie engines.

- Carsten

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 08-05-2013, 10:35 AM:

As far as IMAX Digital goes, it is at its absolute WORST in IMAX theaters originally configured for 15-perf 70mm projection. The bigger you blow up that HDTV resolution image the worse it is going to look. It's basically a giant sized blurry joke.

The laser projection system might be an improvement, but only if it really uses native 4K resolution (and only plays native 4K resolution content). If it's still only 2K then it's still going to be crap. Even with 4K it would still be no match for real 15/70 material.

Posted by Stefan Vogels (Member # 5573) on 08-05-2013, 02:15 PM:

IMAX is currently rolling out the 4K Barco xenon types ( modified DP4K 32B ).

Posted by Terry Lynn-Stevens (Member # 7349) on 08-05-2013, 03:01 PM:

quote: Ivan Plamondon
Still testing the new laser units? What make projectors (2K) do you think Scotiabank went with?

Any word on when Niagara IMAX is going digital?

Posted by Ivan Plamondon (Member # 7637) on 08-06-2013, 11:35 AM:

Just recently intalled the QTRU in June. I would think we are a long ways away from converting to digital. And thus far, the future looks bleak for running DMR releases if we don't get more patrons through the doors. Our thetrical lifeline is in the hands of Asian tour groups that come by the bus load to watch our Niagara feature (from 1986).

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 09-10-2013, 11:28 AM:

The 15/70 machine is still in the booth at Scotiabank. [Smile]

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 09-19-2013, 04:10 AM:

quote: Stefan Vogels
IMAX is currently rolling out the 4K Barco xenon types

Who told you that?

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 11-06-2013, 02:20 PM:

Cameron sorry for missing your question to me...I was told by tech's who work for Cineplex that the 15/70 projector is still in the booth.
I don't know if it's been set up on rails for quick re-position or not but I hope so.

Posted by Terry Lynn-Stevens (Member # 7349) on 11-06-2013, 08:51 PM:

quote: Victor Liorentas
Cameron sorry for missing your question to me...I was told by tech's who work for Cineplex that the 15/70 projector is still in the booth.
I don't know if it's been set up on rails for quick re-position or not but I hope so.

It might still be there but I don't think Cineplex is interested in running 15/70 at all. I guess we will see with Catching Fire as there are 15/70 for that film.

I read a rumor somewhere that the film does not go to IMAX until the big final conclusion. I now can't find the info.

Posted by Ivan Plamondon (Member # 7637) on 10-10-2014, 08:31 AM:

Scotiabank listed as running Interstellar using 15/70 projection. Can anyone verify this?

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 10-10-2014, 10:27 AM:

I can confirm that Scotiabank 15/70 is back in place and ready to go!

Posted by Terry Lynn-Stevens (Member # 7349) on 10-10-2014, 12:41 PM:

Were you there recently? This location also has the ceiling speakers installed for the next gen sound system, they were put in for the film festival. From my understanding, this location will have IMAX laser for The Hobbit 3 along with Tinsletown Cinemark in Rochester.

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 10-10-2014, 12:49 PM:

I have not been in recently but my tech friends have confirmed 15/70 is back in place and ready to go.
It's rumored the Varsity will be showing Interstellar in 5/70 ! [Smile]

Posted by Allan Barnes (Member # 5178) on 10-11-2014, 12:23 AM:

Trade screening October 15 for INNERSTELLAR at Scotiabank Theatre.. I hope it is film

Posted by Ivan Plamondon (Member # 7637) on 10-14-2014, 12:03 PM:

Terry, the GM of Tinseltown sent me the following e-mail:

Although there is much discussion about IMAX laser projection; I have not been made aware of an install date for Rochester.

Spencer Wren

General Manager

Cinemark Tinseltown USA and IMAX

Posted by Jeffry L. Johnson (Member # 453) on 10-14-2014, 01:59 PM:

As the flat-screen conference cinema, Toronto Scotiabank played 1570 film IMAX before and during the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) conference, 2014 September 19-24.

Posted by Ivan Plamondon (Member # 7637) on 10-15-2014, 07:42 AM:

Allan, are you attending the trade screening October 15 for INNERSTELLAR at Scotiabank Theatre?

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 10-15-2014, 07:58 AM:

it's INTERstellar - not INNERstellar [backs away]

actually that'd be an interesting remake to do in IMAX - a remake of 'Fantastic Journey'

Posted by Ivan Plamondon (Member # 7637) on 10-15-2014, 11:21 AM:

Thanks, Jonathan. I should read the text before I copy and paste! lol

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 10-15-2014, 04:02 PM:

interestingly [on topic] the Samuel C. Johnson IMAX theater (at Smithsonian's Natural History Museum) and Udvar Hazy IMAX screen are closing and being converted over to the new laser system, January to March of next year - from what I can interpret from Smithsonian's message to me, the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater (the other Mall IMAX screen) will be upgraded at a future TBD date.

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 04-16-2015, 09:20 AM:

question: did the new laser system debut with the release of 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies' here at the Scotiabank theater?

Posted by Jeffry L. Johnson (Member # 453) on 04-16-2015, 12:48 PM:

quote: Jonathan Goeldner
question: did the new laser system debut with the release of 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies' here at the Scotiabank theater?

Yes.

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 04-17-2015, 02:31 PM:

I got an interesting reply in regards to 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' from the Smithsonian that will be the first new film to utilize the new 12 channel sound system. I haven't heard back from IMAX themselves - yet (for 100% accuracy), but for those of us, in the DC, L.A. and Toronto area we'll get to hear the new sound system. [thumbsup]

Posted by Terry Lynn-Stevens (Member # 7349) on 04-17-2015, 11:40 PM:

Not sure about Hobbit 3, but the movies I have seen at the Scotiabank were 6-trach IMAX. The laser IMAX DMR is different than the Xenon DMR, the sound also is different.

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 04-30-2015, 09:14 AM:

out of curiosity Terry - what's the screen's height size?

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 04-30-2015, 01:45 PM:

quote:
I said a while back that IMAX may differentiate IMAX Xenon/IMAX laser.

IMAX isn't doing that on their theater listings map and information page on the specific theaters. They're just getting the same old usual, generic, misleading "IMAX" treatment.

It shouldn't be too hard for them to add the "laser" notation or have a different colored theater types push pin on the map to denote laser-based installations. They only have to do that with 2 theaters at this point.

Posted by Terry Lynn-Stevens (Member # 7349) on 04-30-2015, 02:41 PM:

quote: Jonathan Goeldner
out of curiosity Terry - what's the screen's height size?

I do not have the exact height, but I think it is 66 feet. I also got the impression that the screen was every so slightly reduced when IMAX installed the laser system. For some reason I remember it going deeper in the pit area as this screen for some reason looks like it had the pit area raised up.

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 04-30-2015, 02:48 PM:

Four Bobby - Udvar Hazy debuts it's laser system tonight with 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' and Seattle's Boeing IMAX Theater tomorrow

didn't realize that if Scotiabank is that tall it's the same size as the Samuel C. Johnson IMAX Theater / Smithsonian Natural History Museum

Posted by Terry Lynn-Stevens (Member # 7349) on 04-30-2015, 03:05 PM:

What is the screen size of Udvar Hazy? I have been there in the past, it should be close to Scotiabank, if not bigger.

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 04-30-2015, 03:10 PM:

it went up a foot to 86ft by 62 ft

Natural History Samuel C. Johnson IMAX theater is 90ft by 66ft
Air & Space Lockheed Martin IMAX theater: 74ft by 48ft

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 05-01-2015, 04:09 PM:

since the Scotiabank is DCP/laser I guess I can similarly talk about what I saw this morning at a demonstration/showcase of the new IMAX-laser system at the Smithsonian's Air & Space Udvar Hazy in Chantilly Virginia.

Presented by IMAX Chief Quality Officer David Keighley - we got demoe'd

- the new IMAX logo accompanied by sound effects from 'Furious 7'
- a promo edit of 'Interstellear' / in both 2.40, windowboxed archival interview footage and 4:3 IMAX shot footage (the latter of which had my jaw on the floor)
- 2D and 3D teaser of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'
- the 4:3 AR Burj Khalifa skyscraper scene from ''Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol'
- a scene from 'Rolling Stones: Live at the Max'
- trailer for 'Tomorrowland'
- promo IMAX sound montage in 3D and 12.0 audio
- scene from 'Rocky Mountain Express' (4:3)

The sound montage was impressive but not a lot of ceiling sourcing - the one bit with the inside of the space shuttle cockpit creaking and crackling from lift off was the best demonstration where sound emitted all around the listener including some unnerving convincing overhead sound cues.

I stayed after the presentation and Q&A to watch 'Journey to Space 3D' and while it pretty much decimated the 2K DCP I saw at the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry in Portland - minor inconsistencies seemed evident, some lettering looked a tad fuzzy. (I don't recall seeing this anomaly in the 15/70 print I saw down at the Lockheed Martin IMAX screen) Colors, luminance and black levels though on the laser system were excellent, the only problem with 'Journey to Space' is that a lot of the footage is not 15/70 photography and/or computer simulation animation (the latter of which looked terrible at OMSI) - I think a true test would be to see a completely shot 15/70 feature DMR'd to the new IMAX DCP's.

all in all though I was very impressed by what I saw and heard.

Posted by Ivan Plamondon (Member # 7637) on 07-31-2015, 10:15 AM:

I would certainly appreciate a tour of the Scotiabank Center booth. Does anyone have the contact information of their Chief Projectionist?

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 12-23-2015, 08:16 AM:

May not fit in here, but does someone know wether Star Wars 7 is played in IMAX laser theaters in 3D-4k? I know there is no DCI/SMPTE 4k DCP standard, but as the IMAX laser hardware is capable of 3D/4k and IMAX is doing their own DCPs, could they have established their own internal 4k-3D-DCP standard, playing SW7 in a DMR/4k-3D version? Any IMAX-Laser operators reading this?

Or, leaving SW7 aside, is IMAX currently able to show native 3D-4k?

- Carsten