This is topic My Almost Imax Digital Experience in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 05-08-2009, 02:14 PM:
 
AMC Easton 30 in Columbus, OH has installed an Imax Digital system to replace the MPX 15/70 film unit they have had since 2005. (They have also removed the 35mm projector).

Well, I should say, ALMOST installed it. Upon entering the theatre, I walked up to the booth area and looked in the port holes. There were 2 digital projectors there, one centered at one port hole and another set about 2' to the side of the other port hole, aimed at the solid wall. I assumed that this projector was on some type of track and would roll into place before the film. No such luck. The movie was shown from only 1 digital projector. It looked good, but certainly no better than other large screen digital screenings I have attended.

AMC is now charging a $5 premium for IMAX shows. The Imax Digital Experience uses 2-Digital projectors, not one. They should not charge the extra $5 when things are not correct.

I guess they thought no one would notice.
 

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Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 05-08-2009, 02:20 PM:
 
You should have complained!!!
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 05-08-2009, 02:22 PM:
 
I don't think they should be charging a premium at all for IMAX digital. It's really not any better than regular 2K digital projection. Given a choice, I'll save $5 and see the movie on a smaller screen.

The only exception I see for this is 3D. Dolby 3D and RealD are limited to more modest screen sizes while IMAX digital can at least show 3D on a pretty large screen.
 

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Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 05-08-2009, 05:55 PM:
 
Lyle, yes, complaints are in process.

Bobby, for the record, AMC is now charging a $4 premium for Digital 3D. I don't know how much they will be charging for Imax 3D.
 

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Posted by Julio Roberto (Member # 4976) on 05-08-2009, 06:09 PM:
 
Holly Cow.

Digital revolution is but starting and we are already seeing "bad projection" practices like this on sparkling new houses/equipment.

I can't but help to think what will happen in 5 years.

Flickery lamps? Out of focus presentations? 2K and screen doors?
 

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Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 05-09-2009, 06:26 AM:
 
There's no such thing as fool proof. No matter how simple you make something, you can always find someone simple enough to screw it up.
 

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Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 05-09-2009, 07:21 AM:
 

quote: Bobby Henderson

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I don't think they should be charging a premium at all for IMAX digital. It's really not any better than regular 2K digital projection. Given a choice, I'll save $5 and see the movie on a smaller screen.

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I'll make the same choice as you. Image wise it's not any better. I guess the sound is better since they are supposedly using the real IMAX sound system. Although I suspect that with a well designed modern regular sound system you can have equivalent sound in a non-"IMAX" auditorium.
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 05-09-2009, 01:27 PM:
 
I'd like to see some confirmation that "IMAX Digital" theaters are using similar sound system hardware as true IMAX houses.

I have the strong suspicion that these ordinary theaters are merely installing a pair of 2K projectors and slapping the IMAX brand name on it. That suspicion is based on what I've already seen with most 2K digital projection installations. The house gets a new projector, but little if anything gets changed in the theater's sound system. Some places may get upgraded to 5.1 surround, but the upgrade will be the bare minimum to get by. You rarely see sound systems tailor made for the specific auditoriums anymore. Maintaining proper EQ and fixing blown speaker drivers, etc. doesn't happen anywhere near as often as it should.
 

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Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 05-09-2009, 06:15 PM:
 
I can't vouch for the speakers behind the screen, but the surround speakers at the AMC Imax are much larger than standard surrounds and they are placed in the rear corners, a position I personally prefer.
 

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Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 05-11-2009, 09:20 AM:
 
I'll post this without comment.

An Imax representative has informed me that one projector is used for 2D and 2 projectors for 3D. I did indicate that my concern was with Imax Digital, not film.
 

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Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 05-11-2009, 05:29 PM:
 
Is he the cleaner at IMAX or something?
 

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Posted by Fred Tucker (Member # 4482) on 05-13-2009, 04:17 AM:
 
IMAX Digital installation comes with a complete new audio system when AMC converts from 35mm. I do not know first hand if the MPX replacements are receiving the same speaker, amplifer & processor upgrades.

Digital IMAX does show through 2 projectors even if it is 2S content, however non IMAX content can be played on the IMAX projectors through only one projector. Since you did not specify which movie saw I can only assume it was not an IMAX title explaining why only one projector was used.
 

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Posted by Sam King (Member # 4029) on 05-13-2009, 11:43 PM:
 
Yea, one way to sell these theatres on digital "miniMAX"'s (like that, you can use it) is that if there is no IMAX product that week, they can be used as "traditional" 2K projectors. HOWEVER, they should be priced just like any other auditorium.
 

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Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 05-14-2009, 06:21 AM:
 
Fred Tucker said:

quote: Fred Tucker

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Since you did not specify which movie saw I can only assume it was not an IMAX title explaining why only one projector was used.

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quote: John Wilson

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Well, shit like that happens...that being the case though, they should have advised you BEFORE you bought the ticket that it wasn't going to be up to scratch and given it to you at a discounted price until it was up and running properly again.

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