Odeon Luxe London Leicester Square

RadioVenus:

You’re welcome! :–)

The JBL’s you mention, are as you say much the same size as the “old” ones. Heavy, yes, but not very deep in size!

Just to clarify, the OLS has certainly used JBLs for a long time (I’ve included some information about the pre-1998 system in the above comment)—but the new system uses Dolby SLS speakers; these are quite different in design; whereas the older screen speakers used large horns for mid/high frequencies, these use modular “arrays” built up from much smaller units (each about the size of a “bookshelf” sized speaker—one that fits on a bookshelf, that is!) bolted together, hopefully creating a custom array to suit the coverage/dispersion needed in the auditorium.

The specification is listed in the relevant Cinema Technology article (see FanaticalAboutOdeon’s post dated Mar 2, 2019) but this unfortunately does not include a complete specification for the screen speakers, in particular the number of units that make up each array. A rough guestimation is that they might be a bit heavier than the old JBL 3-way horns that were used—although JBLs were massive in size—80cm deep!

Do you know whether the new proscenium tabs are in use yet? If it was a motor issue, AMC does not seem to consider it’s remedy that important, if they are still not in use.

Unfortunately not!

I chose to watch “Once Upon a Time In Hollywood” projected using the IMAX with Laser GT system across LSQ. (OK, the Cineworld Leicester Square, if I must call The Empire that. :–()

Intermediates for the film were digital according to IMDb “Technical Specifications” so whilst watching film might be fun but I’d imagine that would be the best picture available. And, indeed, it did look good. It would certainly have been interesting to watch it in 70mm by way of comparison, had that been available!

(Incidentally, I noticed that the large “high level” LED module display on the OLS' façade was advertising 35mm projection—whilst also saying “SEE IT IN DOLBY CINEMA.” (!))

How did you find the 70mm presentation over at the Cinerama Dome in LA? Too bad I’ve never visited the West Coast. :–(

The product currently used for “LUXE Recliner” installs, including the OLS:

Ferco Seating – “Premium Verona Cinema Seat with Electric Foot & Back Rests”.

LoveCinema: Thank you for the information on digital automation/playlists/etc.

The wall at the back of the stage house is clearly a plasterboard wall (British Gypsum SoundBlock product from the “purple” coloured facing paper) and thus is for soundproofing and not structural reinforcement.

AFAIK the previous screen speaker system was 5x JBL 5674, which weigh ~170kg each, plus 4xLW Speakers 6017 dual 21" subwoofers (replacement equivalent model, 6117, weighs 110kg) as an LFE upgrade more recently.

It can be seen from the links that these products are very big!

Presumably, the replacement system is suspended from the fly tower. I recall reading about strengthening needed for the ceiling-hung speakers in the auditorium itself, presumably for the large line arrays and Atmos rear subwoofers rather than the smaller Atmos overheads, but I don’t think the replacement Dolby SLS screen speakers would weigh that much more than previous.

It would seem to me that the reason for moving the screen forward is because the reduced size was necessitated for some reason and therefore moving it forward helped compensate for this, or, simply, that it creates a more “modern” look. But, short of a definitive answer, it would seem that it will remain a mystery…

RadioVenus: Seems things have changed on stage behind the screen since you last been there. I understand with the installment of ‘Dolby Atmos’ there had to be a wall constructed lately to isolate the auditorium from the adjacent hotel – mainly I should think to hold the immense weight and height of the speakers. The following link might be a conclusion for the new screen to have to positioned forward:

https://www.whathifi.com/features/inside-the-uks-first-dolby-cinema-400-speakers-dolby-atmos-and-a-compton-organ

LoveCinema: Your reply is interesting. Thank you. But I also need to add a correction to your comment about the screen position. The OLS always had large speakers behind the screen. In fact I have been on the stage there a few years back, and remember that there was ample space behind the previous screen when it was placed further back on the stage. Even with the old screen in place, there was easily about 6 feet or more behind it. There was no need to bring the screen forward to accommodate speakers.

RadioVenus: Whilst everything has gone ‘digital’ in Cinemas for quite some time ago the presentation of an on going movie show can be ‘added’ towards the ‘Playlist’ and on to the Server and that includes the use of Tabs….or not the use of Tabs. This is how it’s been done in our ‘Main Screen’ (Screen 4) when the Tabs could be used (currently they cannot because the motor has to be maintained). I understand OLS are having problems with the Curtain-motor ?

Now for the ‘forward taken Screen’ there could be one reason: As the OLS (as a ‘Dolby Cinema’) has installed ‘Dolby Atmos Sound System’ with Speakers fitted mostly everywhere in the auditorium (including the ceiling ) some Speakers had also to be fitted behind the Screen. I assume the screen had to be taken forward to make room for these.

Whilst refurbishing our cinemas in our small town lately, we fitted in a new sound-system (not “Dolby-Atmos” of course) and every screen had to come forward to give room for the speakers to be fitted behind.

Greetings from Germany

When I learned that ‘Once Upon A Time…’ was only being shown here in 35mm I assumed that Quentin Tarantino must have run out of 70mm stock. Given, however, that such is not the case one would have thought that a 70mm copy could have been found for this theatre; ‘The Hateful Eight’, after all, was thus presented (albeit before AMC’s act of desecration)….

In relation to presentation, once a precedent has been set (ie no tabs at all when the venue was relaunched) things are never quite the same again and it is evident that there is not the political will on the part of AMC to run the place properly.

Once upon a time , people responsible for running Village Halls would have regarded any comparison with the Odeon Theatre Leicester Square as the greatest compliment but not, I suspect, these days,sadly….

Has anyone paid a visit to the OLS for the 35mm presentation of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”? Seems like a good opportunity for someone with a clue (e.g. projectionist!) to get the tabs/lighting operating as they should…

RadioVenus: Aesthetically, I too preferred the previous position.

Moving the screen forward makes the sightlines “worse.” The old rear stalls only just about had viable sightlines to the top of the screen; however, they, of course, have been “removed.”

The new screen is slightly smaller than the previous, but moving it forward helps compensate, relatively.

I’m not sure that the screen has actually been “moved up,” as stated in other posts? Comparing the 1998 2D screen with the 2018 screen, it looks like the reduced size has allowed for the bottom of the screen to be raised, but the top looks to be in about the same location?

Note, also, from the second image that the sightlines to bottom of the screen from the front row of the balcony are only just viable.

I have no idea why the screen was moved forward; it might be imagined that it was a decision based on “modernisation,” or it may have been for acoustic reasons, for which there are good reasons why it would be preferable.

If, as FanaticalAboutOdeon says, the OLS is staffed by 3 technical personnel, then it is puzzling if all aspects of presentation aren’t programmed to perfection, let alone basic standards…

It’s as simple as this: – Music fades out – House-lighting dims – CURTAINS PART….(at a decent slow speed) This procedere mainly creates the cinematic-atmosphere for the audience and….shows professional presentation of movie-screening. It has been done like this in over 120 years of cinema.

House-tabs had been fitted at last….. so why not u s e t h e m??????

CF100: The introduction of the latter ‘delicacies’ marked the beginning of the down marketing of the industry,in my opinion. I used to feel nauseous when patrons bought them at sales kiosks and proceeded to smother them in the condiments on offer….

Wherever I would be standing on the foyer the happy eaters of this commodity always seemed to head in my direction, just to add to my queasiness!

RadioVenus: Given the way that the exhibition industry has veered toward a hi – tech/intensive catering culture at the expense of atmosphere and presentation, nothing would surprise me either.

If it is a case of supplying and fitting a new motor then you should be fortunate enough to see the auditorium at its best – albeit nowhere near as good as was once the case – when you next visit………

moviebuff82:

Not quite sure what you mean, Dolby Cinema AFAIK is a “scope” format?

To quote FanaticalAboutOdeon’s post dated 2nd March 2019 (information taken from the publication “Cinema Technology”):

“Screen/Projection: Scope width – 13.35, Flat width – 11.60, Scope height – 5.59, Height – 6.2”

All figures in metres.