Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Real D - 3D trailer versions

This is topic Real D - 3D trailer versions in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Frank Cox (Member # 6258) on 06-17-2012, 04:43 PM:

In the past few weeks I have found two versions of a few 3D trailers on the Trail Mix drive. 3.5fl and 6fl? The exact numbers escape me at the moment, and I wasn't smart enough to write them down when I saw them.

My question is, with a Real D setup, which version should I be using?

Posted by David Zylstra (Member # 4230) on 06-17-2012, 05:57 PM:

the 6FL version is for screens that are set to hit 6FL for the 3D picture (many times called X-Brite).

I have several screens that qualify and the initial "certification" entailed proving to RealD that our screens could reach and maintain 6FL for 3D (many times they send in an independant tech to take a light reading and confirm you will be able to maintain 6FL with the chosen lamp).

The 6FL version shown at the proper levels definitely look better than the lower version - I had someone (who is on the production side) see Titanic 3D at a competitor (who has underspec'd lamps) and then saw it on one of my large format screens at 6FL, he stated that watching ours was like watching it for the first time even though he had seen the other one just a few days before (although arguably if our competitor was showing theirs at proper spec it might have looked good as well - but I do not have access to light data from them)

FYI - some studios produce 2 versions of films and only send the 6FL version to those that are on the list, a few have actually only produced a 6FL versions regardless of what is in the field.

Unless you know you are hitting 6FL throughout the life of your lamps I would run the lower version, although you could easily run them both back to back and run the one that looks better on your screens.

Posted by John Thomas (Member # 6509) on 06-18-2012, 01:35 AM:

I imagine the 6 fL version would be the original version, and the 3.5fL would have some darker parts brightened up a bit to compensate for poor light but ruining dynamic range.

David, speaking as one of your competitors, you don't want to see our light data. It's not pretty. We're doing our best with what we're given :/

Posted by David Zylstra (Member # 4230) on 06-18-2012, 11:08 AM:

To qualify my last statement I will say that most of our competitors' digital 2D presentations are excellent (I watch movies at our competitors to avoid being bothered by our staff). Sometimes working for a small company has its benefits - i.e. our ownership wants things at top quality and is willing to spend the funds to do so. Of course I am sure there are times where our staff misses a dim 3D picture and some of our non-Xbrite screens fall under 3-4FL too.

All that counts when you can't control what you are given is to do your best with what you have and strive for the best presentation possible.