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Picture quality in Cinemas

  • 25-03-2011 2:20pm
    #1
    duckworth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 274 ✭✭


    I was about to post this in the 35mm thread, but decided it probably needed a thread of its own.

    Cinema projection is a subject I have no knowledge of, but a great deal of interest in.

    Can somebody knowledgable answer the following for me -

    1) How are regular films (i.e. not old classics) projected nowadays - is it digital or film? Does it differ between cinemas?

    2) Is it just me or is the quality seriously deteriorating? The two cinemas I usually go to are UCI Blanch and Cineworld on Parnell St. - of the last 10 films I've been to, at least 6 have had issues with the picture. I went to see the latest Woody Allen and the picture was cropped at the sides (as if it was projected at 4:3 rather than widescreen). There have been other issues too.

    3) On my DVD player, sometimes there are problems with the black level - you can't make out the darker areas in a lot of scenes. I have noticed this same issue in alot of recent cinema screenings though - as if the contrast or something wasn't set right. Anyone else notice this or is it my imagination?

    4)Do people still sit up there projecting the film, or is it all automated now - i.e. is it possible the projectionists are just crap in these cinemas?

    As a film-lover, it really is driving me mad - nobody else in the cinema ever seems to mind or comment though - including the people I'm attending the films with. They think I'm mad, but it really is bothering me.


Comments

  • #2
    Sad Professor
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,693 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    duckworth wrote: »
    1) How are regular films (i.e. not old classics) projected nowadays - is it digital or film? Does it differ between cinemas?
    Mostly film. Many places wouldn't have digital projectors. And if they do they probably use them for films shot in digital.
    2) Is it just me or is the quality seriously deteriorating? The two cinemas I usually go to are UCI Blanch and Cineworld on Parnell St. - of the last 10 films I've been to, at least 6 have had issues with the picture. I went to see the latest Woody Allen and the picture was cropped at the sides (as if it was projected at 4:3 rather than widescreen). There have been other issues too.
    They may have been projecting them open matte as well. If you so, you probably would have noticed boom mics above the actors. You should complain when you notice issues like this.
    3) On my DVD player, sometimes there are problems with the black level - you can't make out the darker areas in a lot of scenes. I have noticed this same issue in alot of recent cinema screenings though - as if the contrast or something wasn't set right. Anyone else notice this or is it my imagination?
    Might just be the way the film was shot. If something is underexposed then there's nothing there to see. It's a problem with night scenes generally.
    4)Do people still sit up there projecting the film, or is it all automated now - i.e. is it possible the projectionists are just crap in these cinemas?
    I think it's usually automated now days.


  • #3
    OutlawPete
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,689 ✭✭✭✭OutlawPete


    I've noticed Cineworld can be quite grainy and also, they often crop parts of the projection off and you'll only notice it during the credits when half of someone's name is missing.

    Twice in Cineworld I have had to go and complain about the focus also, could barely see what was happening it was so bad.

    For me, the Savoy always has the best picture quality, never cold in there either - Cineworld can be like an ice box at times.

    Even though I have an Unlimited card, I will often just go to the Savoy anyway. If there is a film on that I have been really looking forward to for instance and I just don't want to risk Cineworld ruining it for me, of to the Savoy I'll pop.

    Less twits there chattering and kicking seats too.


  • #4
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,019 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    I don't know, think quality is generally of fairly decent standards. Have had a few moments recently where the film has started off playing incorrectly though. Missed the first thirty seconds to a minute of Norwegian Wood because there was no sound / black screen in the IFI. Obviously, it's only thirty seconds, but I hate missing any part of a film! I generally frequent IFI or Dun Laoghaire, although admittedly DL has some of the crappiest surround sound in some older screens. Really frustrating.

    I'm not completely against digital - obviously for new films it gives a pretty high quality image. It's only with classic screenings it can be a bit so-so. I've seen some gorgeous digital conversions - Eraserhead for example - but at the same time was amazing seeing 2001 in 70mm, even with the scratchy bit on the IFI print (which they warned everyone about beforehand). It's nice seeing films made over and restored, but also great seeing things the way the film-maker intended.


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