Unless I’m mistaken this is the sixth largest IMAX screen in the UK (23.91m x 12.92m) and only the second to have IMAX with Laser installed. 15 rows x 43 seats.
Just looked at the seating layout for screen 10 (IMAX) and it has 14 rows x 44 seats (back row only, main width is around 38 seats wide) which makes it one of the widest IMAX auditoria in the UK.
Does anyone happen to know the screen dimensions? Really wish Cineworld would provide more auditoria info on their website like Odeon does.
Birmingham seems to be well catered for cinema wise and with the recent major renovation of Odeon, Broadway Plaza into Odeon Luxe and the UK’s largest flagship multiplex it could well be the place to visit outside of the Capital.
Odeon Plaza has been fully refurbished into the UK’s largest luxury cinema, work was completed on 11/06/18 when all 12 screens were converted into bespoke theatres. Originally 2,909 seats when AMC opened the site in 2000. Odeon took over in 2012 but now seating capacity has been reduced to 1,264, each and everyone being a soft padded leather seat with electric recliner and triple legroom.
More information regarding the massive refurbishment:
Looking at the Auditorium Info page on the Odeon website, I cannot see any mention of an iSense screen. But, I then clicked on iSense and looked through the list of cinemas in the drop-down menu and sure enough, Milton Keynes Stadium is listed. From there I clicked through the two movies being shown and discovered that screens 1 & 11 both have iSense screens and Dolby Atmos systems installed. Odeon really should update their Auditorium Info on that cinema’s page.
This multiplex only actually has 11-screens, screens 12 to 16 are just the Gallery seat sections to other screens. Which threw me at first seeing so many screens each with very few listed seats.
Well, I shall certainly try and visit this cinema to check out both the IMAX and iSense screens.
£15 in parking for one movie (likely to be over 2 hours including adverts and trailers) is outrageous imo. From the sounds of things this is by no means a flagship cinema and therefore I don’t think I’ll be rushing to visit it anytime soon.
It is not IMAX with Laser. The only two UK cinemas to have that installed are Cineworld (formerly Empire Cinemas) Leicester Square and Cineworld, Sheffield.
Does anyone happen to know the size of the IMAX screen at this cinema?
Have been meaning to check out this cinema but each time a friend of mine has mentioned that car parking is really expensive so instead we have ended up at Vue, North Finchley. Vue, Westfield Shepherds Bush was the last place we paid for car parking when watching a movie and £8 for anything over 2 hours just adds to the cost of admission. We’ve chosen Vue Xtreme at that cinema a couple of times but have left disappointed compared to IMAX. The last movie was Ready Player One which was in scope and because the screen was 1.85:1 around one third of the height is lost due to the black bars which kind of defeats the whole…’as tall as two double decker buses’ advertising.
Does anyone happen to know the size of the IMAX screen (screen 8) at this cinema? It has one of the largest auditoria (15 rows x 36 seats) of any of the IMAX screens I have visited.
60 feet (18.29m) wide, if indeed that is the size of the IMAX screen at Showcase Cinema de Luxe, Bluewater, is the same width as Cineworld, Hemel Hempstead. It seats 281 versus ~450 so I expected a larger screen. Will certainly watch a movie there and possibly also one in XPlus although I may save doing the latter in Showcase Cinema de Luxe, Southampton instead.
Thanks again for sharing some interesting info, I must say I do very much enjoy reading your posts. ;o)
Added this to my list of cinemas to visit. I seem to recall watching one movie at this cinema in one of the small auditoria in the mid to late 90’s. Was shopping in Bluewater, hadn’t planned on watching a movie and had already seen the major new releases elsewhere. IIRC the seats seemed comfy (blue velour?) but that’s about all that I came away thinking at the time.
Does anyone know the size of the IMAX screen (screen 4)? Seems an unsual decision to have both an IMAX screen and a XPlus screen (Showcase’s own proprietary large format) in the same cinema as they are two competing large screen formats.
Presumably, the new screens are auditoria 13 to 17 and use Barco laser projection (which is used at Showcase Cinema de Luxe, Southampton)? Their website just lists Sony 4K projection.
Spent some time clicking through almost all of the current movies being shown to get an idea of the auditoria sizes and most seem pretty decent, certainly for a 17-screen multiplex. Screen 4 (IMAX) seems the largest with of 15 rows x 31 seats. Screen 3 has 16 rows x 28 seats. Screen 15 (XPlus) has 11 rows x 29 seats. The smallest screen seems to be screen 7 which is 10 rows x 11 seats followed by screens 13 & 14 which are Event screens I believe where they show opera performances etc.
Signed up to Showcase Insider which is free and entitles you to discounted tickets on Sunday after 7pm and all day Monday and Tuesday. Also, you earn 10% back in rewards on ticket and food/drink purchases. They also accept Meerkat Movies 2-4-1 on Tuesdays/Wednesdays. Regular ticket prices seem reasonable (cheap compared to the West End, London!).
Don’t often head out towards Dartford but this cinema seems like it warrants a special trip!
Seen as Dolby have recently made the announcement of opening seven Dolby Cinema sites in the UK in collaboration with Odeon cinemas why not also confirm if indeed Odeon, Leicester Square is to be the first such Dolby Cinema?
Surely it would create even more of a buzz rather than if it is kept under wraps until any announcements regarding the re-opening of OLS take place?
Dolby Cinema posted the same news on their twitter feed a couple of days ago. https://twitter.com/DolbyCinema
It’s true – Dolby Cinema is coming to the UK and Germany! Learn more about our partnership with @ODEONCinemas and #Kinopolis here ➡️ http://bit.ly/2HMIEAr
I too thought the entrance would probably originate at the rear of the auditoria instead of either the left or right-hand side of the screen as often is the case in multiplexes I visit.
Odeon, Bournemouth (BH2) has been listed in my smartphone notes, that I’ve been compiling for a while, as a cinema I would like to visit at some point since reading about the opening of the BH2 Leisure Complex.
I’m grateful for all of the detailed knowledge that you share on this site, greatly appreciated. ;o)
Don’t ask me why, but I’ve never read any cinema technology magazines which is even harder to believe considering how many movies I’ve watched at the cinema (at a guess, easily 1000+!) and home cinema magazines that I’ve read over the years.
This is quite a detailed article about the first Dolby Cinema:
A number of different sources have all been covering the same news regarding Dolby Cinema in the UK over the past few days.
This article offers a little extra detail regarding new equipment will be installed:
“Additionally, Odeon Cinemas Group has confirmed that Dolby servers, processors, and speakers will be utilized for all of its European entities going forward.”
And as you already mentioned @CF100…“There’s no word yet on where the seven locations might be. But the Odeon Leicester Square would seem like an obvious candidate.”
That’s possibly the best/biggest cinema news I’ve heard since IMAX with Laser was installed at Empire (now Cineworld), Leicester Square.
Thanks for the link. ;)
One thing I have noticed from all of the online videos I’ve seen of Dolby Cinema auditoria is that they have a really long walk from the screen entrance until you get all the way inside. Almost like a little maze. With the exception of a couple of flagship cinemas (Leicester Square), most multiplexes in the UK have the entrances to auditoria fairly close to one another plus there’s usually a shortish walk (in a straight line as opposed to weaving this way and that). Dolby has five Christie 2K short-throw projectors projecting video images on a 12m digital entry display (floor to ceiling) which customers walk past on their way in.
As seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKp_HKJA4hE
This wouldn’t pose a problem on any newly built cinemas but may require a re-shuffle to existing sites?
What changes, if any, have Vue made to the auditoria since taking over from Warner Village Cinemas at this location? Has the projector(s) used, sound system and speakers all be changed/upgraded?
Which row would you recommend when watching a movie in screen 5 or 7, both from an optimum viewing position and audio sweet spot. I’ve yet to watch a movie at Vue, West End but plan to change that at some point soon.
The Vue trailer that you linked to is one of two that have been shown each time that I have visited one of their cinemas over the past few years. Often the sound during this trailer demonstrates the surrounds and LFE far better than during most/all of the movie!
That was quite a detailed account of your visit, the only thing missing from making it a mystery customer report would have been commenting on the purchase of your ticket and food/drink including whom you were served by and how courteous etc they were!
How full was the performance of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom that you watched? AFAIK reference levels are usually saved for peak times when the auditorium is full or near to full. Certainly, off-peak performances when auditoria are often almost empty are played at lower volume levels.
Back in the 90’s the cinema that I visited the most (UCI Wycombe 6, now Empire Cinemas 8-screen) had red curtains installed in all six auditoria. Screens 1 to 4, the curtain would rise and in the two smallest screen (5 & 6) they would open from the centre outwards. All screens were scope and they had black masking on the left and right sides of the screen which would retract whenever scope movies were shown.
Nowadays this seems to have become less and less the norm. Most of the auditoria that I visit do not have curtains or masking. In addition to looking more professional in terms of presentation, would I be correct in saying that the movable masking provides not only a cleaner edge to the projected image but it may also enhance the perceived contrast as it is a true black, unlike the very dark grey that is seen by most non-laser projection systems?
Why are cinemas in the UK lagging behind with new technology available elsewhere in Europe and the U.S.? Dolby Vision and Auro 11.1 being just two examples.
The first cinema in the UK to have (Barco) laser projection and Dolby Atmos as standard in all screens. Also customisable electric recliners in every screen plus a XPlus screen.
Was just on the Barco website trying to find out if there are any Auro 11.1 equipped auditoriums in the UK and it listed six, one of which was Empire Cinema, Ipswich. Although the auditorium information page only mentions Barco Laser Projectors and nothing about Auro 11.1 surround sound.
Cineworld, Stevenage IMAX is 11 rows by 31 seats. Not sure of the screen or auditorium dimensions but it did not look particularly big when I popped in (no movie or trailers were playing at the time) and had a quick look.
Unless I’m mistaken this is the sixth largest IMAX screen in the UK (23.91m x 12.92m) and only the second to have IMAX with Laser installed. 15 rows x 43 seats.
Shame it’s so far away!
Just looked at the seating layout for screen 10 (IMAX) and it has 14 rows x 44 seats (back row only, main width is around 38 seats wide) which makes it one of the widest IMAX auditoria in the UK.
Does anyone happen to know the screen dimensions? Really wish Cineworld would provide more auditoria info on their website like Odeon does.
Didn’t realise this cinema was one of the first purpose-built IMAX screens for a while back in 2015.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/resorts-world-cineworld-cinemas-imax-10118026
Birmingham seems to be well catered for cinema wise and with the recent major renovation of Odeon, Broadway Plaza into Odeon Luxe and the UK’s largest flagship multiplex it could well be the place to visit outside of the Capital.
Odeon Plaza has been fully refurbished into the UK’s largest luxury cinema, work was completed on 11/06/18 when all 12 screens were converted into bespoke theatres. Originally 2,909 seats when AMC opened the site in 2000. Odeon took over in 2012 but now seating capacity has been reduced to 1,264, each and everyone being a soft padded leather seat with electric recliner and triple legroom.
More information regarding the massive refurbishment:
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/odeons-giant-broadway-plaza-being-14707959
Screen 2 (iSense) is 17.94m x 9.58m high and has 361 seats. Not sure but this may well be the largest iSense screen in the UK?
This cinema is high on my list of ones to visit in the near future.
Looking at the Auditorium Info page on the Odeon website, I cannot see any mention of an iSense screen. But, I then clicked on iSense and looked through the list of cinemas in the drop-down menu and sure enough, Milton Keynes Stadium is listed. From there I clicked through the two movies being shown and discovered that screens 1 & 11 both have iSense screens and Dolby Atmos systems installed. Odeon really should update their Auditorium Info on that cinema’s page.
This multiplex only actually has 11-screens, screens 12 to 16 are just the Gallery seat sections to other screens. Which threw me at first seeing so many screens each with very few listed seats.
Well, I shall certainly try and visit this cinema to check out both the IMAX and iSense screens.
£15 in parking for one movie (likely to be over 2 hours including adverts and trailers) is outrageous imo. From the sounds of things this is by no means a flagship cinema and therefore I don’t think I’ll be rushing to visit it anytime soon.
Thanks for the info.
Nice, finally an IMAX screen outside of London that is (marginally) bigger than Cineworld, Hemel Hempstead and within travelling distance.
Might watch Mission Impossible: Fallout in IMAX there.
It is not IMAX with Laser. The only two UK cinemas to have that installed are Cineworld (formerly Empire Cinemas) Leicester Square and Cineworld, Sheffield.
Does anyone happen to know the size of the IMAX screen at this cinema?
Have been meaning to check out this cinema but each time a friend of mine has mentioned that car parking is really expensive so instead we have ended up at Vue, North Finchley. Vue, Westfield Shepherds Bush was the last place we paid for car parking when watching a movie and £8 for anything over 2 hours just adds to the cost of admission. We’ve chosen Vue Xtreme at that cinema a couple of times but have left disappointed compared to IMAX. The last movie was Ready Player One which was in scope and because the screen was 1.85:1 around one third of the height is lost due to the black bars which kind of defeats the whole…’as tall as two double decker buses’ advertising.
Does anyone happen to know the size of the IMAX screen (screen 8) at this cinema? It has one of the largest auditoria (15 rows x 36 seats) of any of the IMAX screens I have visited.
60 feet (18.29m) wide, if indeed that is the size of the IMAX screen at Showcase Cinema de Luxe, Bluewater, is the same width as Cineworld, Hemel Hempstead. It seats 281 versus ~450 so I expected a larger screen. Will certainly watch a movie there and possibly also one in XPlus although I may save doing the latter in Showcase Cinema de Luxe, Southampton instead.
Thanks again for sharing some interesting info, I must say I do very much enjoy reading your posts. ;o)
Added this to my list of cinemas to visit. I seem to recall watching one movie at this cinema in one of the small auditoria in the mid to late 90’s. Was shopping in Bluewater, hadn’t planned on watching a movie and had already seen the major new releases elsewhere. IIRC the seats seemed comfy (blue velour?) but that’s about all that I came away thinking at the time.
Does anyone know the size of the IMAX screen (screen 4)? Seems an unsual decision to have both an IMAX screen and a XPlus screen (Showcase’s own proprietary large format) in the same cinema as they are two competing large screen formats.
Presumably, the new screens are auditoria 13 to 17 and use Barco laser projection (which is used at Showcase Cinema de Luxe, Southampton)? Their website just lists Sony 4K projection.
Spent some time clicking through almost all of the current movies being shown to get an idea of the auditoria sizes and most seem pretty decent, certainly for a 17-screen multiplex. Screen 4 (IMAX) seems the largest with of 15 rows x 31 seats. Screen 3 has 16 rows x 28 seats. Screen 15 (XPlus) has 11 rows x 29 seats. The smallest screen seems to be screen 7 which is 10 rows x 11 seats followed by screens 13 & 14 which are Event screens I believe where they show opera performances etc.
Signed up to Showcase Insider which is free and entitles you to discounted tickets on Sunday after 7pm and all day Monday and Tuesday. Also, you earn 10% back in rewards on ticket and food/drink purchases. They also accept Meerkat Movies 2-4-1 on Tuesdays/Wednesdays. Regular ticket prices seem reasonable (cheap compared to the West End, London!).
Don’t often head out towards Dartford but this cinema seems like it warrants a special trip!
Seen as Dolby have recently made the announcement of opening seven Dolby Cinema sites in the UK in collaboration with Odeon cinemas why not also confirm if indeed Odeon, Leicester Square is to be the first such Dolby Cinema?
Surely it would create even more of a buzz rather than if it is kept under wraps until any announcements regarding the re-opening of OLS take place?
@CF100
I even posted on the Showcase de Luxe Southampton page a few days ago whilst doing some quick research in laser projection in UK cinemas.
Need to visit that cinema plus Odeon, Bournemouth (BH2).
Can you please post a link to Showcase Westquay as I can’t seem to find it using the search box?
Thanks.
Dolby Cinema posted the same news on their twitter feed a couple of days ago. https://twitter.com/DolbyCinema
It’s true – Dolby Cinema is coming to the UK and Germany! Learn more about our partnership with @ODEONCinemas and #Kinopolis here ➡️ http://bit.ly/2HMIEAr
Nice diagram.
I too thought the entrance would probably originate at the rear of the auditoria instead of either the left or right-hand side of the screen as often is the case in multiplexes I visit.
Odeon, Bournemouth (BH2) has been listed in my smartphone notes, that I’ve been compiling for a while, as a cinema I would like to visit at some point since reading about the opening of the BH2 Leisure Complex.
@CF100
I’m grateful for all of the detailed knowledge that you share on this site, greatly appreciated. ;o)
Don’t ask me why, but I’ve never read any cinema technology magazines which is even harder to believe considering how many movies I’ve watched at the cinema (at a guess, easily 1000+!) and home cinema magazines that I’ve read over the years.
This is quite a detailed article about the first Dolby Cinema:
https://www.techradar.com/news/video/dolby-just-opened-the-most-advanced-cinema-in-the-world-1299524
A number of different sources have all been covering the same news regarding Dolby Cinema in the UK over the past few days.
This article offers a little extra detail regarding new equipment will be installed:
“Additionally, Odeon Cinemas Group has confirmed that Dolby servers, processors, and speakers will be utilized for all of its European entities going forward.”
http://investor.dolby.com/news-releases/news-release-details/dolby-announces-european-cinema-market-expansion-cineeurope-2018
https://www.homecinemachoice.com/news/article/dolby-cinema-gets-go-ahead-in-the-uk/26410
And as you already mentioned @CF100…“There’s no word yet on where the seven locations might be. But the Odeon Leicester Square would seem like an obvious candidate.”
https://www.dolby.com/us/en/platforms/dolby-cinema.html
That’s possibly the best/biggest cinema news I’ve heard since IMAX with Laser was installed at Empire (now Cineworld), Leicester Square.
Thanks for the link. ;)
One thing I have noticed from all of the online videos I’ve seen of Dolby Cinema auditoria is that they have a really long walk from the screen entrance until you get all the way inside. Almost like a little maze. With the exception of a couple of flagship cinemas (Leicester Square), most multiplexes in the UK have the entrances to auditoria fairly close to one another plus there’s usually a shortish walk (in a straight line as opposed to weaving this way and that). Dolby has five Christie 2K short-throw projectors projecting video images on a 12m digital entry display (floor to ceiling) which customers walk past on their way in.
As seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKp_HKJA4hE
This wouldn’t pose a problem on any newly built cinemas but may require a re-shuffle to existing sites?
What changes, if any, have Vue made to the auditoria since taking over from Warner Village Cinemas at this location? Has the projector(s) used, sound system and speakers all be changed/upgraded?
Which row would you recommend when watching a movie in screen 5 or 7, both from an optimum viewing position and audio sweet spot. I’ve yet to watch a movie at Vue, West End but plan to change that at some point soon.
The Vue trailer that you linked to is one of two that have been shown each time that I have visited one of their cinemas over the past few years. Often the sound during this trailer demonstrates the surrounds and LFE far better than during most/all of the movie!
That was quite a detailed account of your visit, the only thing missing from making it a mystery customer report would have been commenting on the purchase of your ticket and food/drink including whom you were served by and how courteous etc they were!
How full was the performance of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom that you watched? AFAIK reference levels are usually saved for peak times when the auditorium is full or near to full. Certainly, off-peak performances when auditoria are often almost empty are played at lower volume levels.
Back in the 90’s the cinema that I visited the most (UCI Wycombe 6, now Empire Cinemas 8-screen) had red curtains installed in all six auditoria. Screens 1 to 4, the curtain would rise and in the two smallest screen (5 & 6) they would open from the centre outwards. All screens were scope and they had black masking on the left and right sides of the screen which would retract whenever scope movies were shown.
Nowadays this seems to have become less and less the norm. Most of the auditoria that I visit do not have curtains or masking. In addition to looking more professional in terms of presentation, would I be correct in saying that the movable masking provides not only a cleaner edge to the projected image but it may also enhance the perceived contrast as it is a true black, unlike the very dark grey that is seen by most non-laser projection systems?
Thanks @CF100 for that info.
Why are cinemas in the UK lagging behind with new technology available elsewhere in Europe and the U.S.? Dolby Vision and Auro 11.1 being just two examples.
The first cinema in the UK to have (Barco) laser projection and Dolby Atmos as standard in all screens. Also customisable electric recliners in every screen plus a XPlus screen.
https://www.west-quay.co.uk/cinema
I need to check out this cinema…
Was just on the Barco website trying to find out if there are any Auro 11.1 equipped auditoriums in the UK and it listed six, one of which was Empire Cinema, Ipswich. Although the auditorium information page only mentions Barco Laser Projectors and nothing about Auro 11.1 surround sound.
http://www.empirecinemas.co.uk/cinema_info/empire_ipswich/barco_laser_projection/c262/t44
Ireland has a number of cinemas equipped with Auro 11.1, does anyone know if any exist in the UK?
https://www.avinteractive.com/news/audio/omniplex-opens-first-cinema-fitted-auro-11-1-barco-immersive-sound-technology-hfr-3d-projection-25-02-2014/
Saw the £7m refurbishment cost of Empire Cinemas, Hemel Hempstead in this article:
https://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/phase-one-of-7million-cinema-revamp-set-to-be-unveiled-1-6909849
Cineworld, Stevenage IMAX is 11 rows by 31 seats. Not sure of the screen or auditorium dimensions but it did not look particularly big when I popped in (no movie or trailers were playing at the time) and had a quick look.