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This is why I prefer to watch films on a Dolby Atmos or 2D laser IMAX screen. These outside bodies certify that projection and sound are built and operated to a

This is why I prefer to watch films on a Dolby Atmos or 2D laser IMAX screen. These outside bodies certify that projection and sound are built and operated to a quality specification. You can find them in your local market if you do some research, most theaters do not have them and if they do it's only 1 of their screens. Theater chains do advertise them as a premium experience and reserve them for whatever the current big hit film is. Corporate theater chains don’t care about fidelity, this is the only way to get a quality experience from their facilities.

nickthegreek 4y ago
Exactly. With how good home setups are these days, I only go to the theater now for a premium experience, while in my youth, I would go every weekend to hang out with friends or court a girl. I only visit 2 theaters in my city and find only a handful of their auditoriums (main imax) as acceptable.
- nebula8804 4y ago
  Even an 80 inch TV cannot possibly compare to a 200 inch cinema screen. I'd argue that right now is an amazing time to see cinema granted you can find a good screen and stick with it. Over the last two years since theaters opened back up, I have seen so many films in an empty theater because people are just not going to see non franchise/superhero movies. As a result, the rest of my local cinema screens are flat out empty. I am perfectly fine with that even though I know it is not sustainable. Combine that with the AMC monthly pass where for ~25$ I get to see three movies a week in any format I want, its an amazing deal for movie fans.
  - nickthegreek 4y ago
    I purchased a 4k ($2.5k) ust laser projector, full sonos setup ($1500) and a 100" screen ($300) and a new recliner couch ($1,200) throughout Covid. I still go and see big movies at the theater, like Avatar. But to be honest, I feel like my setup is much more clear and the audio more crisp than many of the low grade theater rooms. My projector is good up to 150", I just don't have room for a screen that size in my current house.
    - nebula8804 4y ago
      You spent so much money only to have a system that does not compete with a good chain. Like I said, IF you find a good screen this is an amazing opportunity to enjoy it while the masses are not crowding the room.
      - lotsoweiners 4y ago
        Perhaps but the convenience, comfort, ability to pause, and cheapness/variety of food and beverage probably make it worth it. Since I bought my 80" OLED and a decent audio setup I have not had a desire to go to a movie theatre unless it is something new that I want to see immediately or something for my kids.
basch 4y ago
Physical screen damage plagues non certified screens. Between that and dead pixels and the other issues outlined in this article, I see one of them on almost every screen that doesn’t have some kind of technology subtitle promising a superior experience. The one thing my home theater still needs is an ice machine.
nebula8804 4y ago
While there is a minimum quality level, there are still differences between different Dolby and IMAX screen sizes. I dont have it right now but others have compiled a google docs listing the variations across AMC cinemas.
- Shakahs 4y ago
  There are multiple IMAX screen types. The full size giant IMAX you'll find at theme parks and such, the medium size, and then a small watered down faux-IMAX that theaters can retrofit into existing facilities. Dolby Atmos competes with medium IMAX, I forget which is better but they are both miles ahead of a typical theater screen. The entire room has to be designed for certification from the ground up to ensure optimal picture and acoustic properties to every seat. Also the sound and projection hardware required for certification is significantly better than what theaters typically buy.
  - nebula8804 4y ago
    >There are multiple IMAX screen types. The full size giant IMAX you'll find at theme parks and such, the medium size, and then a small watered down faux-IMAX that theaters can retrofit into existing facilities. No I am referring only to different size Laser IMAX/Digital IMAX(LieMax) at locations like AMC. They are not uniform screen sizes. Yes the authentic IMAX 70mm/65mm OmniMax is the best but those are a rare species at this point. >Dolby Atmos competes with medium IMAX, I forget which is better but they are both miles ahead of a typical theater screen. I disagree, yes they are typically better but a really good laser system that has been calibrated properly can really compete well with some of these average IMAX systems. >The entire room has to be designed for certification from the ground up to ensure optimal picture and acoustic properties to every seat. Also the sound and projection hardware required for certification is significantly better than what theaters typically buy. This is my point: That despite certification, theaters are fudging the numbers by reducing the screen size or not keeping things in proper calibration. There is a shared google sheets doc floating around that documents this.

nickthegreek 4y ago

Exactly. With how good home setups are these days, I only go to the theater now for a premium experience, while in my youth, I would go every weekend to hang out with friends or court a girl. I only visit 2 theaters in my city and find only a handful of their auditoriums (main imax) as acceptable.

nebula8804 4y ago
Even an 80 inch TV cannot possibly compare to a 200 inch cinema screen. I'd argue that right now is an amazing time to see cinema granted you can find a good screen and stick with it. Over the last two years since theaters opened back up, I have seen so many films in an empty theater because people are just not going to see non franchise/superhero movies. As a result, the rest of my local cinema screens are flat out empty. I am perfectly fine with that even though I know it is not sustainable. Combine that with the AMC monthly pass where for ~25$ I get to see three movies a week in any format I want, its an amazing deal for movie fans.
- nickthegreek 4y ago
  I purchased a 4k ($2.5k) ust laser projector, full sonos setup ($1500) and a 100" screen ($300) and a new recliner couch ($1,200) throughout Covid. I still go and see big movies at the theater, like Avatar. But to be honest, I feel like my setup is much more clear and the audio more crisp than many of the low grade theater rooms. My projector is good up to 150", I just don't have room for a screen that size in my current house.
  - nebula8804 4y ago
    You spent so much money only to have a system that does not compete with a good chain. Like I said, IF you find a good screen this is an amazing opportunity to enjoy it while the masses are not crowding the room.
    - lotsoweiners 4y ago
      Perhaps but the convenience, comfort, ability to pause, and cheapness/variety of food and beverage probably make it worth it. Since I bought my 80" OLED and a decent audio setup I have not had a desire to go to a movie theatre unless it is something new that I want to see immediately or something for my kids.

basch 4y ago

Physical screen damage plagues non certified screens. Between that and dead pixels and the other issues outlined in this article, I see one of them on almost every screen that doesn’t have some kind of technology subtitle promising a superior experience. The one thing my home theater still needs is an ice machine.

nebula8804 4y ago

While there is a minimum quality level, there are still differences between different Dolby and IMAX screen sizes. I dont have it right now but others have compiled a google docs listing the variations across AMC cinemas.

Shakahs 4y ago
There are multiple IMAX screen types. The full size giant IMAX you'll find at theme parks and such, the medium size, and then a small watered down faux-IMAX that theaters can retrofit into existing facilities. Dolby Atmos competes with medium IMAX, I forget which is better but they are both miles ahead of a typical theater screen. The entire room has to be designed for certification from the ground up to ensure optimal picture and acoustic properties to every seat. Also the sound and projection hardware required for certification is significantly better than what theaters typically buy.
- nebula8804 4y ago
  >There are multiple IMAX screen types. The full size giant IMAX you'll find at theme parks and such, the medium size, and then a small watered down faux-IMAX that theaters can retrofit into existing facilities. No I am referring only to different size Laser IMAX/Digital IMAX(LieMax) at locations like AMC. They are not uniform screen sizes. Yes the authentic IMAX 70mm/65mm OmniMax is the best but those are a rare species at this point. >Dolby Atmos competes with medium IMAX, I forget which is better but they are both miles ahead of a typical theater screen. I disagree, yes they are typically better but a really good laser system that has been calibrated properly can really compete well with some of these average IMAX systems. >The entire room has to be designed for certification from the ground up to ensure optimal picture and acoustic properties to every seat. Also the sound and projection hardware required for certification is significantly better than what theaters typically buy. This is my point: That despite certification, theaters are fudging the numbers by reducing the screen size or not keeping things in proper calibration. There is a shared google sheets doc floating around that documents this.