3D question....

[J.R.69]

Avatar is listed as being shown in 2D, Real 3D, Digital 3D and IMAX 3D.

2D is obvious, but what's the difference between Real 3D and Digital 3D? And which would be used in the IMAX showing?

 

[J.R.69]

Does anyone know?

 

[l00p]

Geez, now you have me wondering if I did not see the best version out or not. I saw it at a theater with 3D but not the IMAX I was originally planning on going to see it at. Thanks, buddy.

 

[UTChE96]

I saw it at an IMAX 3D. Do not know if it is the best, but I loved it.

 

[ptownhorn]

I think the IMAX is the huge screen

 

[UTChE96]

Yes, its 60 feet tall. If you live in Houston, there is an IMAX in the Edwards cinema off of I10.

 

[J.R.69]

No, you don't understand. I KNOW what IMAX is; what I don't know is the difference between "Real 3D" and "Digital 3D", each of which is showing Avatar on different screens; and which version ("Real" or "Digital") is the IMAX shown in.

Thanx.

 

[ilsa]

I would guess that the "Real 3D" moniker is actually referring to RealD Cinema.

 

[l00p]

So if I saw it in a theater with a digital camera, in 3D and it was awesome, I cannot get any better than that, right? I can get bigger, as in IMAX bigger, but it won't nec. be BETTER, right? Once 3D the quality is the same?

 

[ilsa]

Was the digital 3D you saw a RealD, Dolby or something else? It mainly depends on personal preference.

Personally, of all the 3D techs out there now, my favorite is XpanD, which is the tech that Cameron used to premier Avatar in Japan. The glasses look pretty goofy though.

 

[l00p]

I think I may hate you, ilsa!!! j/k

To be honest, I don't know. But dammit, I have to know now! I am going to check into it. If there is a way this bad *** movie can be even better I am all over it.

Thank you for confusing me and having me add something else to my to do list.

 

[ilsa]

Well to my knowledge RealD is the most popular in the US. RealD features a special screen and cheap disposable glasses. Dolby 3D uses a regular projector screen and expensive reusable glasses.

For me, a dual-projector Dolby system is a better option than any RealD I've seen. IMAX 3D has more pop and depth to the 3D than either but has much more ghosting.

If the theater isn't setup correctly though, that can go a long way towards changing the viewer's opinion.

Here is a good discussion and article on the subject.
AVS discussion
article

 

[J.R.69]

Thanks, Ilsa.

 

[l00p]

Yes, ty.

The one I went to had the best 3D glasses I have ever used. They were plastic, durable and not the paper variety I have seen in the past.

 

[Owlhorn]

This may sound weird, but LieMax 3D is the best to me. RealD is pretty good and can show on regular screens. Doesn't pop as much. Many like Dolby, but its hard to find. IMAX 3D has the huge screen and is usually much more expensive. 3D effects are most immersive in first person views. LieMax(made up moniker) is a regular stadium seated theater that has a bigger, more forward screen and digital IMAX projectors and IMAX sound system. The screen is not as much on you as in a real IMAX theater. I found this to be the perfect storm if you don't want to be super close and want a little bit more crisp 3D. Eyestrain was less than at the IMAX theater.

 

[l00p]

Owl, I think this is what I experienced.

 

[texas_ex2000]

This is just a guess, but I think Real 3D uses a traditional film projector. Digital 3D projects digital images. Wiki Digital Cinema

IMAX for almost every theater you go to is a traditional film format, and of course much larger for enhanced resolution. I think I've heard of digital IMAX theaters, but it's only projection...which means to say it was not filmed with an IMAX camera (and there isn't a digital IMAX camera in existence yet).

The Dark Knight special features Blu Ray shows a lot of awesome behind the scenes features on filmmaking with IMAX cameras.

 

[ilsa]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[l00p]

I checked today and what I saw was Real 3D. I am happy I did.