Just got back from US. Went to the local cineplex to catch a movie... watched two, one on regular screen, one in XD (extreme digital, what a genius name).
The US has moved to digital big time, many (if not most) of the theaters now use digital projection, which quite frankly sucks compared to standard film projection. You get colour fringing, compression artifacts (light halos, etc) and when there is a blurred textured background with lots of moment you get horrible colour blocking and breakup (too little range in gamut?).
XD is basically "high def" digital projection onto a 21m x 12m screen, with wadda wadda high tech surround (it's actually no more immersive or realistic than standard, just WAY LOUDER!).
XD is a _lot_ better than regular digital, but is still really not a patch on a good 35mm film. Colour is def on the colder side and does not 'pop' in saturated scenes, or feel subtle in muted scenes. There is also some colour fringing and over-sharpened gritty edges. XD will prob do well though, as it can be used for any film unlike IMAX, and allows theatres to charge you much more ($14 instead of $8).
So there you have it. Higher tech projection because it's cheaper and more convenient for movie houses, but lower quality less aesthetically pleasing results for film buffs.
~R
PS - in case you were wondering, saw 'Your Highness', a stoner comedy written/starred by Danny McBride and with James Franco and Natalie Portman (looking way hot as swords&sandals adventurer). Basically spoiled by a lame script with too many d!ck and gay jokes. The one in XD was 'Hanna', a not bad but pretty paint-by-numbers spy/action flick (you know, secret CIA programme to breed super soldiers goes wrong, is shut down, but one of the genetically superior super-warrior kids survives and wreaks death and destruction on her tormentors. With touching rediscovering-her-lost-childhood scene. The girl is very good (Saoirse Ronan, who was also very good in the execrable Lovely Bones), and Kate Blanchett is awesome as ice cold CIA controller.
The US has moved to digital big time, many (if not most) of the theaters now use digital projection, which quite frankly sucks compared to standard film projection. You get colour fringing, compression artifacts (light halos, etc) and when there is a blurred textured background with lots of moment you get horrible colour blocking and breakup (too little range in gamut?).
XD is basically "high def" digital projection onto a 21m x 12m screen, with wadda wadda high tech surround (it's actually no more immersive or realistic than standard, just WAY LOUDER!).
XD is a _lot_ better than regular digital, but is still really not a patch on a good 35mm film. Colour is def on the colder side and does not 'pop' in saturated scenes, or feel subtle in muted scenes. There is also some colour fringing and over-sharpened gritty edges. XD will prob do well though, as it can be used for any film unlike IMAX, and allows theatres to charge you much more ($14 instead of $8).
So there you have it. Higher tech projection because it's cheaper and more convenient for movie houses, but lower quality less aesthetically pleasing results for film buffs.
~R
PS - in case you were wondering, saw 'Your Highness', a stoner comedy written/starred by Danny McBride and with James Franco and Natalie Portman (looking way hot as swords&sandals adventurer). Basically spoiled by a lame script with too many d!ck and gay jokes. The one in XD was 'Hanna', a not bad but pretty paint-by-numbers spy/action flick (you know, secret CIA programme to breed super soldiers goes wrong, is shut down, but one of the genetically superior super-warrior kids survives and wreaks death and destruction on her tormentors. With touching rediscovering-her-lost-childhood scene. The girl is very good (Saoirse Ronan, who was also very good in the execrable Lovely Bones), and Kate Blanchett is awesome as ice cold CIA controller.
