Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Anyone Checked Out Cinemark's XD3 Digital Experence?

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Posted by John B. Keathley (Member # 5205) on 03-29-2009, 11:24 AM:

My better half and I went to Cinemark West Plano last night to see "Monsters Vs Aliens" in 3D. According to the press release, the screen is 70 feet wide and there are 30 speakers in the auditorium. It was basically IMAX but not called IMAX. Just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this yet.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-29-2009, 02:15 PM:

That one took me a few minutes to find on their website, so I'll save others the hassle of looking for it.

Click here

There is a link to the press release at the bottom of that page.

quote:
“Another benefit worth mentioning is that Cinemark will be able to exhibit all movies in this auditorium, including Real D-3D pictures.”

Hahahaha. Again, HOW is this any different than what other theaters with a digital projector are capable of??? That's mighty impressive that they can play ALL movies in that X-tra special auditorium. Wow, I don't think any other auditorium in the world with a Real-D system installed can boast that!!! Whew! Outstanding! Where is Penn and Teller when you need them?

I think we need Joe to X-plain to us why the name is so stupid. This reminds me of AMC's SHITS sound system. (It stood for "Super High Impact Theater System"...or something like that.) It was definitely shitty. In fact it was the worst sound I think I have EVER heard at any chain theater.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong and I will publicly apologize, but in a nutshell Cinemark is doing absolutely nothing special here. They are taking a regular Barco projector, a regular Real D system, a regular Doremi server, a sound system that isn't anything spectacular (unless they have done some serious upgrading to it), are showing the movie on a larger than normal sized screen (that always existed at that location previously) and then are branding it as something X-tra special...when it's not. In fact, blowing 3D onto a screen that large has got to be under spec, and the downward tilt that projector would require is definitely not good news for a digital presentation. But here they are creating some lame new name to fool the ignorant. Ummmm, yeah. Whatever. [Roll Eyes]

As it was explained to me a number of years back, their "super mega" sound systems were actually TWO left, TWO center and TWO right channel speakers behind the screen. Does anyone know if they still do that? I wonder if the bumper stickers are still there. I think I recall hearing they put in CP650s awhile back, so at least they've got that going for them, but again...nothing special.

Also I wonder if the "creators" (translation - suits sitting in an office making up a new name for something) of the new X-treme system understand what internet text emoticons are. XD3 in internet signage is a smiley face with boobs (so the system is only suitable for women?), a smiley face on someone with a butt chin (so only people such as John Travolta will enjoy it?), or it represents someone smiling because they have their mouth open wide ready to give oral to some guy...as his ball sack is the representation of the "3" (so the system is aimed at gays or slutty women?) For those that don't get it, tilt your head to the left.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 03-29-2009, 03:26 PM:

I can't remember where I saw the specs, but the figure of 50 feet seemed to be the upper limit of screen size RealD could use. Dolby 3D had a smaller limit. What has changed over the last year or two?

The Harkins Bricktown theater in downtown Oklahoma City doesn't have RealD installed on its 70' Cine Capris screen. They have it installed on one screen in a smaller house. The Moore Warren 14 has at least 2 or 3 Dolby 3D systems, but none of them are used on the two 80' grand auditorium screens.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 03-29-2009, 07:28 PM:

quote: Bobby Henderson
I can't remember where I saw the specs, but the figure of 50 feet seemed to be the upper limit of screen size RealD could use. Dolby 3D had a smaller limit. What has changed over the last year or two?

Perhaps nothing.

They could easily be using masking for a normal RealD showing to meet the max screen size the RealD people allow then moving the masking out to use the whole screen for their "OMG it's big" special system.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 03-29-2009, 07:50 PM:

. . . . just Show Biz. . . . razzle dazzle, razzle dazzle! Louis

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 03-29-2009, 08:32 PM:

quote: Brad Miller
I think we need Joe to X-plain to us why the name is so stupid.

WHAT? You definitely need some educatin', but on how GNARLY Cinemark haz becum with their new rad X-T33M screenz! OMG its like teh movie cumz out and surroundz you with itz amazing sights (3D? Ha! Maybe like 20 or 30 D's AT LEAST) and sounds (Brad ur precious NOrthpark is a piece of shit that nobody misses compared to Cinemark's awseom sound that kicks your ears' ASS!!!!! Cinemark is soo extreme that other theaters closed down years ago in shame as they knew that Cinemark woud be super awesome with digital in the fiture so they shut down and cut their losses while they cud OMG any other theater that is not Cinemar haas no channnnnce!!! They can play EVERY movie can u no u cant cuz u aint cimenamrk

Check out the new X-tree3em look for Front Row Joe OMG he is all coked out on extacy cuz he is that extreme he is the best cartoon character ever bugz bunny go fuck yerself.

i hope the poliicy trailers are 2 hours long fuk da movie front row joe is more extrme than even iron Man!

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 03-29-2009, 09:41 PM:

I think Front Row Joe is the bastard kitten of Bill the Cat. Bloom County reference.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 03-30-2009, 12:36 AM:

Ack.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-30-2009, 12:43 AM:

I like the new Front Row Joe. He's got a Harry Potter scar! [thumbsup]

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 03-30-2009, 04:23 AM:

That is so EXTREME.

Posted by Aaron Garman (Member # 1653) on 04-07-2009, 04:09 PM:

The question is, where is Popcorn Penny?

what a hottie! [sex]

AJG

Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 04-07-2009, 04:48 PM:

quote: Aaron Garman
Popcorn Penny

A.K.A The Back Row Ho. As in Front Row Joe and his back row ho. [Razz]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 04-08-2009, 05:13 PM:

Cinemark called me and they gave me the artwork for the new Xtree33EEeem Popcorn Penny:

So hot. You'd be a god damn idiot to go anywhere that's not Cinemark!

Posted by Jonathan Althaus (Member # 5042) on 04-08-2009, 06:54 PM:

*Cinemark worker here*

What my tech said is that they made the screen larger, and put in brand new amps and speakers. Thats it. He did say that the screen extends floor to ceiling and wall to wall.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 04-08-2009, 11:47 PM:

It looks to me like Popcorn Penny got an upgrade on her breast implants. "EE" sized according to Joe's post. It also looks as if she may have a serious Crystal Meth habit (notice the imaginary meth bugs buzzing around her head -good source for scratchy skin ulcers). Or perhaps even Heroin. After all, Dallas-Fort Worth is now a world-class international cosmopolitan-megalopolis. 6.5 million people in one area. More than a few sources for being able to "ride the snake" or "ride the tiger" or whatever bullshit dope fiends tell themselves to make the retarded destructive crap they do seem justifiable. Assholes.

Posted by John Joseph Fink (Member # 3619) on 05-25-2009, 10:33 PM:

AMC also is doing something simular to this at their Younge & Dundas 24 in Toronto. They're calling it ETX: Enhanced Theatre Experience, and they apparently removed a row of seats and installed a 20% larger screen. Presumably this was done because IMAX wouldn't allow a mini-Max here because because Cineplex's Scotibank a few blocks away has an IMAX. AMC is showing Star Trek, ironic since Scotibank has a lobby decked out in Star Trek swag from its days as The Paramount.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-25-2009, 10:44 PM:

All that bizazzz and then they'll sign with Sony for 4K anyway! If they don't have at least as good as the other two DCIP partners have then they'll need a much larger "Epic Fail" train wreck photo! Perhaps three freight trains colliding might be appropriate!