I don’t know for fact, but if I had to guess the two are so close to the same size you couldn’t tell the difference. Both theaters 3 and 11 were originally identical and had wall to wall screens; they put in a new screen for Imax, but even if it’s not exactly the same size as in the Dolby room realistically I don’t think anyone could tell them apart. I’m not sure if the screen in the Dolby room is the original or if it’s been replaced. Overall the Tysons 16 is symmetrical; theaters 1-8 mirror 9-16.
Wait, they seriously downgraded all of the auditoriums to 5.1 sound? Originally I was going to give AMC a chance and check the place out since they took over, but if that’s the case, forget it, I won’t be going back…
According to THX website this theatre is still certified. AMC took down the THX placard and they don’t show the THX trailers. With absolutely no promotion of the format anywhere I can’t figure out why they even bother.
Any word on whether cinema 1 (or any other rooms) have been updated to 7.1? I haven’t been there in ages…I only go to Arclight these days.
You mean screens that are common height vs. those that are common width? No, all auditoriums have common width screens. The two biggest screens (#3/Imax and #11/Dolby) have common width screens and they no longer have any masking (they used to prior to conversion) so you’ll see empty screen space for scope movies. (I haven’t been there much lately but they used to, and I assume still do, have masking on the other 14 screens).
Does anyone know which auditorium was converted to Imax? My guess is #14 as that’s the largest, though it’s difficult to imagine how any room there could be converted. None are particularly large, the exit doors in #14 to the left and right of the screen would be in the way, and all rooms have ceilings seemingly too low for Imax as the theatre was originally built without stadium seating.
For this theatre I’m not sure how they could reasonably convert any of the auditoriums without quite an overhaul!
So it sounds like Atmos is being installed only in theater 11 (the ETX screen)? If so, drat. I really want to check out a movie in Atmos, but under no circumstance will I ever go back to a room without masking (especially one with such lousy projection quality, and the silver screen just adds insult to injury). I keep hoping AMC or Regal will install Atmos in a non-ETX/RPX room; have they done this yet at any location? (or has any other theater/chain done so?)
I finally had a chance to check out the ETX screen this weekend with The Hunger Games. Based on this experience, I will not return (I wouldn’t go back even if this was a normal price auditorium). The picture quality at this showing was awful; before the show the projectionist spent 5 min or so with a test pattern aligning the two projectors. When the trailers finally started, the images were very far out of alignment and incredibly blurry. I complained to management, and just as I walked back into the auditorium the trailer paused and the test pattern came back up. A few minutes later and the trailers resumed, the image was much better than earlier but still wasn’t very sharp. The movie was in scope, and sure enough they no longer have masking in this room. This is a deal breaker, I absolutely refuse to go to an auditorium that doesn’t have proper masking; I still can’t believe they charge extra for this. The image quality during the movie was pretty bad, really poor blacks and very washed out looking; I’m not sure whether I should blame the theater or the movie though, based on the trailers I’m guessing a little of both. Sound was decent; I like the 7.1 availability, but overall not much improvement on what was there previously. I still like the sound better at some other theaters I’ve been to.
Was 7.1 sound added to any of screens 5,6, or 7 when the digital projectors were installed? I haven’t seen any movies that have 7.1 sound in those theaters yet, though I have in theater 2 and it sounds fantastic there.
AMC has always been really bad at promoting THX it seems; not just at Mazza Gallerie but all locations of theirs that have it. And now they took down the THX sign in the lobby leaving pretty much no indication of THX certification anywhere. Really stupid.
AMC is very light on the technical details; overall I agree this has potential to sound much better than Imax (I don’t really like the Imax sound systems I’ve heard). 11 channel sound? No idea how that would work, far as I know there has never been a movie mixed with 11 channel sound, and by far the norm is 5.1 even with better options available. Makes me wonder if it’s just marketing bullshit or if they’re doing some odd monkeying to derive the extra channels (ala EX type matrixing of the channels that are available) in which case I would expect the results to be somewhat random – some movies could sound great, others worse as the sound mixer would not be taking into account AMC’s secret method of adding extra channels.
As far as screen size goes, all the rooms at Tysons already are wall to wall. There is simply no room to add a bigger screen to any of the rooms (ok, technically maybe there’s an extra foot or two available, but that won’t really be noticeable). Not sure if it’s true (will find out soon I guess!) but apparently the ETX rooms copy Imax and don’t have masking? If so, I definitely will not go back as I refuse to pay for any auditorium without proper masking (especially when there is a surcharge!)
According to the AMC Theatres website, one of the auditoriums will be converted to ETX scheduled to open March 18, 2011. I don’t know which one, but #11 would probably make the most sense.
The Majestic’s screens are mixed; some rooms have side masking and some rooms have top masking. #20 is the largest room (about 465 seats) with side masking and #1 the next largest (about 435 seats) with top masking.
14 is not the smallest room, I know #12 is a little smaller (with about 98 seats; not sure if it is the smallest, but it’s the smallest room I’ve been in so far…)
The sound at the Majestic does tend to be unimpressive; better than some theaters I’ve been to, but not one of my favorites.
Screens 5 and 6 are the two largest (screens 1-5 are mirror images of 6-10 size wise); I’m guessing the screen is something like 45 feet wide. Screen 5 used to have 70mm capability I think; no idea if it’s still there. Not sure it matters though, I can’t imagine them ever using it again.
No THX? according to the THX website both 5 and 6 are still THX certified; last time I was there (been a year or so now though) the THX sign was still up outside both rooms.
Actually I’m really glad they aren’t going to be installing Imax at Tyson’s Corner. It’s not real Imax, isn’t much if any better than what they already have, and would cost more. I’ve been wondering if the upcoming 4k Sony projectors will even end up looking better than the Imax 2K system; haven’t been able to compare yet so I don’t know, but the thought of paying more for a 2K system when 4K is next door on the same size screen with equally good sound just doesn’t make sense.
Actually, I’m in no hurry to have digital projection installed at Tyson’s as there’s really not much benefit over the current 35mm film systems they have.
I don’t know for fact, but if I had to guess the two are so close to the same size you couldn’t tell the difference. Both theaters 3 and 11 were originally identical and had wall to wall screens; they put in a new screen for Imax, but even if it’s not exactly the same size as in the Dolby room realistically I don’t think anyone could tell them apart. I’m not sure if the screen in the Dolby room is the original or if it’s been replaced. Overall the Tysons 16 is symmetrical; theaters 1-8 mirror 9-16.
Wait, they seriously downgraded all of the auditoriums to 5.1 sound? Originally I was going to give AMC a chance and check the place out since they took over, but if that’s the case, forget it, I won’t be going back…
According to THX website this theatre is still certified. AMC took down the THX placard and they don’t show the THX trailers. With absolutely no promotion of the format anywhere I can’t figure out why they even bother.
Any word on whether cinema 1 (or any other rooms) have been updated to 7.1? I haven’t been there in ages…I only go to Arclight these days.
You mean screens that are common height vs. those that are common width? No, all auditoriums have common width screens. The two biggest screens (#3/Imax and #11/Dolby) have common width screens and they no longer have any masking (they used to prior to conversion) so you’ll see empty screen space for scope movies. (I haven’t been there much lately but they used to, and I assume still do, have masking on the other 14 screens).
Does anyone know which auditorium was converted to Imax? My guess is #14 as that’s the largest, though it’s difficult to imagine how any room there could be converted. None are particularly large, the exit doors in #14 to the left and right of the screen would be in the way, and all rooms have ceilings seemingly too low for Imax as the theatre was originally built without stadium seating.
For this theatre I’m not sure how they could reasonably convert any of the auditoriums without quite an overhaul!
So it sounds like Atmos is being installed only in theater 11 (the ETX screen)? If so, drat. I really want to check out a movie in Atmos, but under no circumstance will I ever go back to a room without masking (especially one with such lousy projection quality, and the silver screen just adds insult to injury). I keep hoping AMC or Regal will install Atmos in a non-ETX/RPX room; have they done this yet at any location? (or has any other theater/chain done so?)
I finally had a chance to check out the ETX screen this weekend with The Hunger Games. Based on this experience, I will not return (I wouldn’t go back even if this was a normal price auditorium). The picture quality at this showing was awful; before the show the projectionist spent 5 min or so with a test pattern aligning the two projectors. When the trailers finally started, the images were very far out of alignment and incredibly blurry. I complained to management, and just as I walked back into the auditorium the trailer paused and the test pattern came back up. A few minutes later and the trailers resumed, the image was much better than earlier but still wasn’t very sharp. The movie was in scope, and sure enough they no longer have masking in this room. This is a deal breaker, I absolutely refuse to go to an auditorium that doesn’t have proper masking; I still can’t believe they charge extra for this. The image quality during the movie was pretty bad, really poor blacks and very washed out looking; I’m not sure whether I should blame the theater or the movie though, based on the trailers I’m guessing a little of both. Sound was decent; I like the 7.1 availability, but overall not much improvement on what was there previously. I still like the sound better at some other theaters I’ve been to.
Was 7.1 sound added to any of screens 5,6, or 7 when the digital projectors were installed? I haven’t seen any movies that have 7.1 sound in those theaters yet, though I have in theater 2 and it sounds fantastic there.
AMC has always been really bad at promoting THX it seems; not just at Mazza Gallerie but all locations of theirs that have it. And now they took down the THX sign in the lobby leaving pretty much no indication of THX certification anywhere. Really stupid.
AMC is very light on the technical details; overall I agree this has potential to sound much better than Imax (I don’t really like the Imax sound systems I’ve heard). 11 channel sound? No idea how that would work, far as I know there has never been a movie mixed with 11 channel sound, and by far the norm is 5.1 even with better options available. Makes me wonder if it’s just marketing bullshit or if they’re doing some odd monkeying to derive the extra channels (ala EX type matrixing of the channels that are available) in which case I would expect the results to be somewhat random – some movies could sound great, others worse as the sound mixer would not be taking into account AMC’s secret method of adding extra channels.
As far as screen size goes, all the rooms at Tysons already are wall to wall. There is simply no room to add a bigger screen to any of the rooms (ok, technically maybe there’s an extra foot or two available, but that won’t really be noticeable). Not sure if it’s true (will find out soon I guess!) but apparently the ETX rooms copy Imax and don’t have masking? If so, I definitely will not go back as I refuse to pay for any auditorium without proper masking (especially when there is a surcharge!)
According to the AMC Theatres website, one of the auditoriums will be converted to ETX scheduled to open March 18, 2011. I don’t know which one, but #11 would probably make the most sense.
Does anyone know which auditorium was converted to Imax? I’m guessing it’s either #17 or #18 as those are the largest.
The Majestic’s screens are mixed; some rooms have side masking and some rooms have top masking. #20 is the largest room (about 465 seats) with side masking and #1 the next largest (about 435 seats) with top masking.
14 is not the smallest room, I know #12 is a little smaller (with about 98 seats; not sure if it is the smallest, but it’s the smallest room I’ve been in so far…)
The sound at the Majestic does tend to be unimpressive; better than some theaters I’ve been to, but not one of my favorites.
“two Sony LCoS 4K systems (10 & 12)”
Shouldn’t this be #12 and #14, or did they move one?
Screens 5 and 6 are the two largest (screens 1-5 are mirror images of 6-10 size wise); I’m guessing the screen is something like 45 feet wide. Screen 5 used to have 70mm capability I think; no idea if it’s still there. Not sure it matters though, I can’t imagine them ever using it again.
No THX? according to the THX website both 5 and 6 are still THX certified; last time I was there (been a year or so now though) the THX sign was still up outside both rooms.
Actually I’m really glad they aren’t going to be installing Imax at Tyson’s Corner. It’s not real Imax, isn’t much if any better than what they already have, and would cost more. I’ve been wondering if the upcoming 4k Sony projectors will even end up looking better than the Imax 2K system; haven’t been able to compare yet so I don’t know, but the thought of paying more for a 2K system when 4K is next door on the same size screen with equally good sound just doesn’t make sense.
Actually, I’m in no hurry to have digital projection installed at Tyson’s as there’s really not much benefit over the current 35mm film systems they have.