AMC Lincoln Square 13
1998 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10023
1998 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10023
80 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1,051 - 1,075 of 1,715 comments
Film will degrade during a run even with proper handling and equipment maintenance.
xbs2034, what issues were there with the ‘Hateful Eight’ and other film screenings you attended?
Remote monitoring and auto-calibration is standard in an IMAX Digital installation, laser or not. The audio system calibration (IMAX nXos which uses Audyssey EQ technology) was first installed in 2010, so depending on when IMAX Digital projection was installed at Lincoln Square, might be an addition.
Also, aside from the addition of the side/overhead speakers for IMAX’s 12 channel sound system, the screen speakers and rear speakers could be upgraded to IMAX’s “Kanga” speakers if they have previous generation speakers. The screen will also need to be replaced for laser projection.
Cheaper prints have been getting made for twenty years due to short runs and a lack of subruns. Print quality did not deteriorate due to a lack of projectionists. The prints are just on lower quality mylar and most get destroyed soon after the first run.
CF100, I feel seeing a new film print properly projected is gorgeous, but those probably only happen now in special events. In regular multiplexes as you say substandard projection was not uncommon particularly as a film was shown more and got some damage, and it got worse in the last five years or so as trained film projectionists became rare so that I’d even go to the first showing on film of a movie like Hateful Eight and there were significant issues.
But while I do feel DCP is better in the everyday multiplex world, there always is a chance for error and I think one of the issues with more automated theater operations now is usually there isn’t someone there checking for problems when they occur. Which is why I think the system IMAX is putting in is promising, the screen should be properly calibrated and be getting some more oversight, even if it is done remotely.
I’ve seen dual projector 3D setups misaligned, most noticeable as double images on the end credits and other titles. IMAX’s dual projection system requires alignment to subpixel accuracy.
Daily auto re-calibration of image and sound to restore to the original calibration is a good thing.
All screens are monitored by IMAX’s Network Operations Center in Mississauga.
In the days of 35mm, IME (outside of premier venues which retained ‘showman’ projectionists) it wasn’t uncommon for multiplexes to have substandard projection with poor film-handling, out of focus picture, and even failure to switch to the anamorphic lens for the main feature, etc.!
It would be interesting to consider comparative ‘uptime’ figures for digital vs. film projection. But whereas digital tends to be ‘all or nothing,’ film will degrade with every screening.
That stinks. The thing with projectionists unlike robots is that the humans have more knowledge than the machine. What if the machine breaks down during a showing and up comes an error screen? That is the case with Fathom Events which runs off satellite.
We have a device in [the projector] called an “image enhancer,” which is like a super computer that’s got the power of about a hundred desktop computers. This device takes the content and manipulates the data to the two projectors to insure we have a pristine image on screen. And just like how we used microphones in the theater to monitor the sound, there is an industrial camera mounted between the two projectors just inside [the theater]. It looks to the screen as your eyes. Again, it’s patent pending and nobody else in the world does this.
We are looking and what you’re looking at and it provides data back to the image enhancer, so we can constantly optimize what’s going on the screen. It all goes back to this concept of preserving quality of presentation and trying to take it a notch higher. We are really excited with this technology. It’s helping us really to take projection technology to the next level.
The image enhancing super computer is inside [a computer standing next to the projector] and it’s collecting data through the image enhancer. We are then connected, via the internet, to these devices. We can do simple things…. We are the only integrated… Sound projection, show automation, show control, are all tied together. So when an operator is having a problem, we can actually dial in. I’ve had a couple of cases where somebody will phone and say, “Well, I tried this and it didn’t work.” Here’s a guy at our end going “Well that’s not quite true. You pushed this button, then you pushed that button, then this button.”
http://www.slashfilm.com/imax-is-innovating-with-remote-theatrical-quality-control-laser-projection-and-a-commitment-to-film/
Sounds like projectionists are being made obsolete by the mothership.
xbs2034 on August 18, 2016 at 9:10 am “The IMAX screen is scheduled to close after this weekend, for laser and other improvements (new seats, sound system, quality assurance monitoring system). Their plan is indeed to reopen for the holiday season blockbusters provided there are no delays in construction.”
What does quality assurance monitoring system mean? Low light cameras watching the audience for any hanky panky?
Reserved seating is great imo, I just think that so far every theater with reserved seating has had an upgrade. Just throwing it into every theater brings expectations people have that AMC has set already with the new seats. People think they may be getting good seats like at AMC 84th street or amc west orange but they’re the same old ones
If you look at Fandango’s list of theaters with reserved seating: http://www.fandango.com/reserved-seating-theaters it looks like AMC is planning on adding reserved seating to a ton of theaters, including almost all in New York.
I feel that reserved seating has its place, but more for premium offerings like IMAX or the theaters with recliners (which is what AMC was mostly using it for before), and kinda wish on the normal 300 seat screens they just kept it as is since that can turn into a hassle, particularly if you are going to the movie as a last minute thing.
Reserved seats are a way of life in the UK…if there is something we are serious about we book it with preferred seats (I like an aisle for my long legs)…Plenty of people go at the last minute…You get used to it…yes it takes the spontaneity and some of the fun out of moviegoing but think that if you can manage a mid-week afternoon show, or wait until Weeks 2 or 3 you pretty much can walk in and enjoy…The screen is reading the seating plans online and not ending up too close…Enjoy!
That stinks, since picking a seat will be tougher than ever and shows will sell out faster.
It was confirmed by ,a,m,c. Empire starting sep 2 reserved seating
http://www.fandango.com/amcloewslincolnsquare13_aabqi/theaterpage?date=9/6/2016
Also, Sully on the 9th, etc. Maybe this is what ‘ridethectrainridethectrain’ was talking about.
AMC is starting soon reserved seating in all screens with regular seats.
I loved the sound of the old film projectors. And in my 37 full time years as a projectionist, I never scratched film, even my 12 years in the adult theatres. I cared for the film and kept my projectors spotless.
Going to the movies is better than at home. Don’t miss film hearing the sound of the projector, scratches
The Lincoln Square isn’t what it used to be. Sure, the IMAX makes up the bulk of the moviegoing experience as it is the largest screen in the NYC area and also the busiest. Having the laser projection installed in it will raise the price even further. Not only that, but food prices will increase. I like the old film projection as it is sharper than digital and makes it look like a bluray movie projected on a giant screen. 4k is here to stay at home and 8k is only being used on tall screens for sports arenas and the like. I’m happy with my 1080p 3d tv. heck, the 1080p 2d is better than the 3d.
I agree with you on all points hdtv267. I might add that as a 40 year veteran projectionist, I personally am not a fan of digital, since it put me out of work 3 years ago, and I could care less about digital imax or laser or anything else. To me its getting all out of control, and going to the movies just isn’t what it use to be. Yes I’m an old fuddy duddy. You can say it.
It looks like Ill see Sully and The Magificent Seven on vacation in imax lasser in Hollywood
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/23/movies/ang-lee-billy-lynns-long-halftime-walk-new-york-film-festival.html?hpw&rref=movies&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region®ion=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well
Just a little more to add to Billy Lynn, the NY Times indeed say it is expected that Lincoln Square will play Billy Lynn in Ang Lee’s format during theatrical release I figured (given the expense/trouble involved with specially outfitting a screen) but still nice to hear.
Also, sounds like Lincoln Square may be the only theater to play it that way, though there will be 4k/3D/60 fps and 4k/2D/120 fps showings at other theaters.
As for IMAX laser, I was told their hope was for the start of holiday season blockbusters but definitely by Thanksgiving barring a major delay, so sounds like they aiming for Doctor Strange but could slip to Fantastic Beasts.
It will be worth the drive to NYC to see an imax laser movie. Wonder if Fantastic Beasts will be the first one or maybe Dr. Strange?
http://www.filmlinc.org/nyff2016/daily/ang-lee-billy-lynns-long-halftime-walk-world-premiere/
This theater will host the first ever 3D/4K/120 fps public showing with the World Premiere of Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk on October 14th. It will be in relatively small screen with 300 seats, and hopefully also plays that way during its commercial run here.
According to the theatre today, the IMAX theatre will be closed until November
IT’S HAPPENING!!!!! Can’t wait to finally come back to my favorite movie screen in NYC and see the new projector!!!
thanks for the update xbs2034. After that’s done, I think AMC will renovate the other screens too and put in reserved seating.