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.
Thanks again for taking the time to share such a detailed reply.
It’s rare that I go into an auditorium at Cineworld, Hemel Hempstead whilst the lights are on prior to when the adverts and trailers begin but I will certainly have a look when there next. My friend who I visit in that area can’t stand trailers (I’ve always enjoyed watching them myself, after all, it is often based on the strength of a good trailer that I decide if I wish to watch a particular movie at the cinema or wait for the home release) and so often delays us arriving in plenty of time which is what I always do when going to cinemas with others or myself.
That link to the Empire cinema in Ipswich is awesome. Wish all cinemas offered something similar online as it reveals so much more information than what can be found on the majority of their websites. Let’s face it most seem to merely be a portal for online bookings and very little else!
With regards to the interior of the auditoriums at Cineworld, Hemel Hempstead, I can’t comment on all of them as 90%+ of my recent visits have always been to the IMAX screen. I’ve watched one movie in the old IMPACT Blue and one in Cineworld’s SUPERSCREEN and maybe 3-5 in the some of the smaller screens, generally when just catching movies towards the end of their release run. Ordinarily, I generally wouldn’t normally bother and instead, wait for the home release but if I was already planning to watch a newly released movie there and had time to fit in a double or triple-bill on the same day then I have gone ahead and done so. Often depends on the performance times whether or not this is a viable option.
Empire Cinemas that I have visited (High Wycombe and Hemel Hempstead) have had a black box style auditorium design in all of their regular auditoriums. Black walls with no Empire signage. Not sure of what changes Cineworld have made since taking over? I’ll try and ask a member of staff the next time I’m there but based on past experiences most of the cinema staff I approach say they are new and don’t know or probably aren’t interested in such details! The photos uploaded by members here showing the various corridors with pink-lit screen numbers are all from when Empire refurbished this site. The biggest change Cineworld implemented was the whole main foyer area as you enter the cinema. The main concession stand is now directly opposite the entrance as opposed to down the left-hand-side (Empire ownership). Black floor tiles with sparkly flecks like Cineworld ‘Empire’ Leicester Square and other sites plus lots of LED signage with video advertising.
I’ll see if I can manage to take a photo of the very large rear IMAX speakers so you can perhaps identify the exact type/model. They are the largest surround speakers I can recall seeing in any auditorium recently, perhaps ever. I’ve, thus far, only managed to visit a handful of IMAX cinemas: Pepsi IMAX, Trocadero Centre, Cineworld, Enfield, BFI IMAX, The Empire/Cineworld, Leicester Square, Cineworld, Hemel Hempstead and Odeon, Greenwich. I did walk into the IMAX screen at Cineworld, Stevenage after watching Justice League in 4DX there just to see the size of the auditorium. It is probably the smallest IMAX screen I’ve seen and certainly not one I’d pay to watch a movie on!
Looking forward to checking out the new IMAX screen at Cineworld, Watford in a few months. The only other two IMAX screens in the UK that I wouldn’t mind checking out at some point if ever in the areas would be Vue, Manchester Printworks (previously owned by Odeon) and Cineworld, Sheffield which is the only other current IMAX with Laser in the UK other than Cineworld ‘Empire’, Leicester Square.
Just stumbled across this article outlining the possibility of a new cinema/restaurant complex in Hemel Hempstead town centre:
Couldn’t see any date mentioned or whether these possible plans have since been scrapped after Empire Cinemas spent £7m totally refurbishing what was old Odeon 9-screen cinema on the Leisure World (now renamed to Jarman Place) site?
I imagine you’ve already seen this article regarding Empire, Hemel Hempstead using Christie’s Vive Audio for their IMPACT installation back in 2015/2016:
Spoke to Andre Mort a bunch of times in the past as he often spent time visiting the UCI Wycombe 6 (now an 8-screen Empire cinema) site which was my local cinema for many years.
Whilst under Empire Cinemas ownership, both the IMAX plus IMPACT auditoriums at this Hemel Hempstead site weren’t numbered as were all of the others. Instead they had huge logos beside the relevant entrance doors. As there were originally plans to build two IMPACT screens, each would have had another monicker to differentiate them, Blue and Red. AFAIK that’s all that these two colours meant. There was never any IMPACT Luxe signage that I saw.
As for sound quality, I was deeply disappointed with the Dolby Atmos system in IMPACT Blue. Zero activity from the overheard speakers and yet I thought an action-packed blockbuster such as Civil War would have been demo material for such a system. Watched Central Intelligence on the IMPACT screen (balcony seats) at Empire, Leicester Square and found the same thing. Then earlier this year revisited the Hemel Hempstead cinema, this time after it was rebranded as a Cineworld SUPERSCREEN and watched The Commuter. Now either the sound mixers on each of these movies have chosen not to use the overhead channels or the volume level has been set far too low?
The best sound I’ve heard at this cinema by far was in IMAX when watching Kong: Skull Island. They look similar to photos of IMAX Kappa(?) speakers at Cineworld ‘Empire’ Leicester Square that were in one of the links you posted. The sweet spot seems to be around the centre of row G in order to fully appreciate the sound. I have watched around a dozen movies in this IMAX screen over the past couple of years and it wasn’t until I watched Kong and sat in row G that I experienced really good sound from the two massive corner mounted speakers. The back row in the centre section is slightly behind these speakers and as they are front firing you totally miss out on hearing most, if not all of the sound. And as for the two or three tiny rows in the two corners of the auditorium well they are positioned even worse. You can’t even see the speakers from there as the ceiling above you must be the floor of the projection booth above. Not a very good design imo hose seats should be heavily reduced in price or simply should not exist.
The old Empire Cinemas sign (as you entre Jarman Park from the roundabout) still hasn’t been replaced by a Cineworld one and the leather seating in the IMAX auditorium still have Empire Cinemas embroidered into the backs.
Spoke to a manageress when visiting this cinema, whilst under Empire Cinemas ownership, to watch Captain America: Civil War (May 2016) regarding their IMPACT screens. Their website mentioned a new IMAX screen plus two IMPACT screens were being added as part of a major refurbishment. My movie was in Screen 2: IMPACT Blue. Enquired when the second IMPACT screen (I believe it was going to called IMPACT Red?) was due to open and would there be any difference to the existing one? Was told it would be identical and would hopefully be open in six months time.
There must have been a change of plans as Screen 3 was never converted into an IMPACT screen whilst an Empire cinema. It has 10 rows of 20 seats whereas screen 2 is 10 rows of 30 seats. Cineworld obviously later rebranded screen 2 to their own equivalent of IMPACT which is SUPERSCREEN.
The video you linked to above showing the installation of the IMAX projector at The Empire, Leicester Square mentions the screen weight of 215kg.
I had hoped that the new IMAX screen in Watford would be a decent size seen as it’s being installed in a newly built cinema rather than a retrofit. IMAX with Laser and 12-channel sound system along with luxury seats would be icing on the cake. Fingers-crossed!
Have been to Vue, Watford a bunch of times in the past but not often since Empire Cinemas (later changed hands to Cineworld in 2016 as part of the deal which saw them take over The Empire, Leicester Square) took over the old Odeon in Hemel Hempstead. It’s been extended (now 17-screens including IMAX and SUPERSCREEN) and completely refurbished inside. The foyer area is massive and includes an impressive looking curved canopy with LED screens installed which advertise movies etc. They’ve also opened a Starbucks inside. There’s a large Pizza Express directly next door. Large free car park down the side. There’s a few large business premises here which have been empty since they were built. Wonder what, if anything, is planned to open there?
Going back to Vue, Watford. They only have a couple of reasonably sized screens. Screen 8 which seats 288, screen 2 seats 250, and screen 1 seats 221. Majority of the movies I’ve watched there were on screen 8 otherwise I would go elsewhere. Think this was originally a 5-screen multiplex opened as a Warner Village back in the 90’s? I remember it was one of the few cinemas in the country at the time to be showing Star Wars: The Phantom Menace in Dolby Digital EX which added an extra rear centre channel (6.1) so I decided to make that movie my first visit to this cinema. The customer service has left a lot to be desired at peak times. I would not be surprised in the least if attendance figures drop through the floor once the new Cineworld opens. Can’t see anything less than a complete refurbishment turning Vue, Watford into anything that will equal or better the Cineworld. Free parking will be one of the only advantages Vue have over Cineworld. Paying for parking when watching movies at the cinema is one thing I strongly dislike. It would usually prevent me from watching two or more movies in one visit especially during the day.
Must say I was somewhat surprised when I read that Creative Technology had taken over ownership of THX some years ago and more recently in 2016 by Razor Inc.
THX still seem to be quite active in hi-end home cinema equipment. Back in the mid 00’s used to have a THX Ultra 2 system at my last house.
One sound system that I never managed to experience for myself at the cinema was SDDS which I believe was 8-channel? Have you and if so, how did you find it compares to Dolby Digital and DTS?
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your wealth of knowledge and answer so many of my questions.
Do you know if there are currently any commercial cinemas still in use today in the UK that are THX certified? They seemed to have slowly and quietly disappeared since the 90’s and early 00’s.
Thanks so much CF100 for the detailed reply and comparison of projection and sound systems at BFI IMAX and Cineworld ‘Empire’ Leicester Square.
On top of the fact that most Marvel movies seem to have been colour regraded to look flat, perhaps the lower resolution of 3D at BFI IMAX without an IMAX with Laser system contributed to the picture looking so dull?
Have watched that BritishFilmInstitute youtube video before. There’s a brief glimpse of a row of rocker-style switches labelled audio channels 1 to 6 followed by a switch for Sub 1&2 and then another for Sub 3&4. Surely they are for subwoofers (LFE channel)? They state the new (current) BFI IMAX screen weighed 800kg yet the Empire, Leicester Square IMAX screen only weighed 215kg. That’s some difference considering the screen widths are almost identical and the BFI screen is only approximately 5m taller than the Leicester Square one.
In a few months (Aug 2018?) a brand new 9-screen (40,000 sq ft and 1,500 seats) Cineworld cinema is opening in Watford which will include an IMAX high definition screen seating 450. Plan to check that out as soon as it opens. It’s not far from Cineworld (previously an Empire Cinema) in Hemel Hempstead which is the IMAX cinema that I have visited the most over the past couple of years.
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.
Thanks again for taking the time to share such a detailed reply.
It’s rare that I go into an auditorium at Cineworld, Hemel Hempstead whilst the lights are on prior to when the adverts and trailers begin but I will certainly have a look when there next. My friend who I visit in that area can’t stand trailers (I’ve always enjoyed watching them myself, after all, it is often based on the strength of a good trailer that I decide if I wish to watch a particular movie at the cinema or wait for the home release) and so often delays us arriving in plenty of time which is what I always do when going to cinemas with others or myself.
That link to the Empire cinema in Ipswich is awesome. Wish all cinemas offered something similar online as it reveals so much more information than what can be found on the majority of their websites. Let’s face it most seem to merely be a portal for online bookings and very little else!
With regards to the interior of the auditoriums at Cineworld, Hemel Hempstead, I can’t comment on all of them as 90%+ of my recent visits have always been to the IMAX screen. I’ve watched one movie in the old IMPACT Blue and one in Cineworld’s SUPERSCREEN and maybe 3-5 in the some of the smaller screens, generally when just catching movies towards the end of their release run. Ordinarily, I generally wouldn’t normally bother and instead, wait for the home release but if I was already planning to watch a newly released movie there and had time to fit in a double or triple-bill on the same day then I have gone ahead and done so. Often depends on the performance times whether or not this is a viable option.
Empire Cinemas that I have visited (High Wycombe and Hemel Hempstead) have had a black box style auditorium design in all of their regular auditoriums. Black walls with no Empire signage. Not sure of what changes Cineworld have made since taking over? I’ll try and ask a member of staff the next time I’m there but based on past experiences most of the cinema staff I approach say they are new and don’t know or probably aren’t interested in such details! The photos uploaded by members here showing the various corridors with pink-lit screen numbers are all from when Empire refurbished this site. The biggest change Cineworld implemented was the whole main foyer area as you enter the cinema. The main concession stand is now directly opposite the entrance as opposed to down the left-hand-side (Empire ownership). Black floor tiles with sparkly flecks like Cineworld ‘Empire’ Leicester Square and other sites plus lots of LED signage with video advertising.
I’ll see if I can manage to take a photo of the very large rear IMAX speakers so you can perhaps identify the exact type/model. They are the largest surround speakers I can recall seeing in any auditorium recently, perhaps ever. I’ve, thus far, only managed to visit a handful of IMAX cinemas: Pepsi IMAX, Trocadero Centre, Cineworld, Enfield, BFI IMAX, The Empire/Cineworld, Leicester Square, Cineworld, Hemel Hempstead and Odeon, Greenwich. I did walk into the IMAX screen at Cineworld, Stevenage after watching Justice League in 4DX there just to see the size of the auditorium. It is probably the smallest IMAX screen I’ve seen and certainly not one I’d pay to watch a movie on!
Looking forward to checking out the new IMAX screen at Cineworld, Watford in a few months. The only other two IMAX screens in the UK that I wouldn’t mind checking out at some point if ever in the areas would be Vue, Manchester Printworks (previously owned by Odeon) and Cineworld, Sheffield which is the only other current IMAX with Laser in the UK other than Cineworld ‘Empire’, Leicester Square.
Just stumbled across this article outlining the possibility of a new cinema/restaurant complex in Hemel Hempstead town centre:
http://www.hhs.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Article-on-New-Cinema.pdf
Couldn’t see any date mentioned or whether these possible plans have since been scrapped after Empire Cinemas spent £7m totally refurbishing what was old Odeon 9-screen cinema on the Leisure World (now renamed to Jarman Place) site?
I imagine you’ve already seen this article regarding Empire, Hemel Hempstead using Christie’s Vive Audio for their IMPACT installation back in 2015/2016:
https://www.christiedigital.com/emea/about-christie/news-room/press-releases/vive-audio-empire-cinemas-english
Spoke to Andre Mort a bunch of times in the past as he often spent time visiting the UCI Wycombe 6 (now an 8-screen Empire cinema) site which was my local cinema for many years.
Whilst under Empire Cinemas ownership, both the IMAX plus IMPACT auditoriums at this Hemel Hempstead site weren’t numbered as were all of the others. Instead they had huge logos beside the relevant entrance doors. As there were originally plans to build two IMPACT screens, each would have had another monicker to differentiate them, Blue and Red. AFAIK that’s all that these two colours meant. There was never any IMPACT Luxe signage that I saw.
As for sound quality, I was deeply disappointed with the Dolby Atmos system in IMPACT Blue. Zero activity from the overheard speakers and yet I thought an action-packed blockbuster such as Civil War would have been demo material for such a system. Watched Central Intelligence on the IMPACT screen (balcony seats) at Empire, Leicester Square and found the same thing. Then earlier this year revisited the Hemel Hempstead cinema, this time after it was rebranded as a Cineworld SUPERSCREEN and watched The Commuter. Now either the sound mixers on each of these movies have chosen not to use the overhead channels or the volume level has been set far too low?
The best sound I’ve heard at this cinema by far was in IMAX when watching Kong: Skull Island. They look similar to photos of IMAX Kappa(?) speakers at Cineworld ‘Empire’ Leicester Square that were in one of the links you posted. The sweet spot seems to be around the centre of row G in order to fully appreciate the sound. I have watched around a dozen movies in this IMAX screen over the past couple of years and it wasn’t until I watched Kong and sat in row G that I experienced really good sound from the two massive corner mounted speakers. The back row in the centre section is slightly behind these speakers and as they are front firing you totally miss out on hearing most, if not all of the sound. And as for the two or three tiny rows in the two corners of the auditorium well they are positioned even worse. You can’t even see the speakers from there as the ceiling above you must be the floor of the projection booth above. Not a very good design imo hose seats should be heavily reduced in price or simply should not exist.
The old Empire Cinemas sign (as you entre Jarman Park from the roundabout) still hasn’t been replaced by a Cineworld one and the leather seating in the IMAX auditorium still have Empire Cinemas embroidered into the backs.
Spoke to a manageress when visiting this cinema, whilst under Empire Cinemas ownership, to watch Captain America: Civil War (May 2016) regarding their IMPACT screens. Their website mentioned a new IMAX screen plus two IMPACT screens were being added as part of a major refurbishment. My movie was in Screen 2: IMPACT Blue. Enquired when the second IMPACT screen (I believe it was going to called IMPACT Red?) was due to open and would there be any difference to the existing one? Was told it would be identical and would hopefully be open in six months time.
There must have been a change of plans as Screen 3 was never converted into an IMPACT screen whilst an Empire cinema. It has 10 rows of 20 seats whereas screen 2 is 10 rows of 30 seats. Cineworld obviously later rebranded screen 2 to their own equivalent of IMPACT which is SUPERSCREEN.
The video you linked to above showing the installation of the IMAX projector at The Empire, Leicester Square mentions the screen weight of 215kg.
I had hoped that the new IMAX screen in Watford would be a decent size seen as it’s being installed in a newly built cinema rather than a retrofit. IMAX with Laser and 12-channel sound system along with luxury seats would be icing on the cake. Fingers-crossed!
Have been to Vue, Watford a bunch of times in the past but not often since Empire Cinemas (later changed hands to Cineworld in 2016 as part of the deal which saw them take over The Empire, Leicester Square) took over the old Odeon in Hemel Hempstead. It’s been extended (now 17-screens including IMAX and SUPERSCREEN) and completely refurbished inside. The foyer area is massive and includes an impressive looking curved canopy with LED screens installed which advertise movies etc. They’ve also opened a Starbucks inside. There’s a large Pizza Express directly next door. Large free car park down the side. There’s a few large business premises here which have been empty since they were built. Wonder what, if anything, is planned to open there?
Going back to Vue, Watford. They only have a couple of reasonably sized screens. Screen 8 which seats 288, screen 2 seats 250, and screen 1 seats 221. Majority of the movies I’ve watched there were on screen 8 otherwise I would go elsewhere. Think this was originally a 5-screen multiplex opened as a Warner Village back in the 90’s? I remember it was one of the few cinemas in the country at the time to be showing Star Wars: The Phantom Menace in Dolby Digital EX which added an extra rear centre channel (6.1) so I decided to make that movie my first visit to this cinema. The customer service has left a lot to be desired at peak times. I would not be surprised in the least if attendance figures drop through the floor once the new Cineworld opens. Can’t see anything less than a complete refurbishment turning Vue, Watford into anything that will equal or better the Cineworld. Free parking will be one of the only advantages Vue have over Cineworld. Paying for parking when watching movies at the cinema is one thing I strongly dislike. It would usually prevent me from watching two or more movies in one visit especially during the day.
Must say I was somewhat surprised when I read that Creative Technology had taken over ownership of THX some years ago and more recently in 2016 by Razor Inc.
THX still seem to be quite active in hi-end home cinema equipment. Back in the mid 00’s used to have a THX Ultra 2 system at my last house.
One sound system that I never managed to experience for myself at the cinema was SDDS which I believe was 8-channel? Have you and if so, how did you find it compares to Dolby Digital and DTS?
@CF100
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your wealth of knowledge and answer so many of my questions.
Do you know if there are currently any commercial cinemas still in use today in the UK that are THX certified? They seemed to have slowly and quietly disappeared since the 90’s and early 00’s.
Greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much CF100 for the detailed reply and comparison of projection and sound systems at BFI IMAX and Cineworld ‘Empire’ Leicester Square.
On top of the fact that most Marvel movies seem to have been colour regraded to look flat, perhaps the lower resolution of 3D at BFI IMAX without an IMAX with Laser system contributed to the picture looking so dull?
Have watched that BritishFilmInstitute youtube video before. There’s a brief glimpse of a row of rocker-style switches labelled audio channels 1 to 6 followed by a switch for Sub 1&2 and then another for Sub 3&4. Surely they are for subwoofers (LFE channel)? They state the new (current) BFI IMAX screen weighed 800kg yet the Empire, Leicester Square IMAX screen only weighed 215kg. That’s some difference considering the screen widths are almost identical and the BFI screen is only approximately 5m taller than the Leicester Square one.
In a few months (Aug 2018?) a brand new 9-screen (40,000 sq ft and 1,500 seats) Cineworld cinema is opening in Watford which will include an IMAX high definition screen seating 450. Plan to check that out as soon as it opens. It’s not far from Cineworld (previously an Empire Cinema) in Hemel Hempstead which is the IMAX cinema that I have visited the most over the past couple of years.
Have the seats been changed since the mid 90’s?
Perhaps my notes are incorrect? I had noted the two screens you mentioned as measuring:
SUPERSCREEN Cineworld O2, Greenwich – 22m x 9.2m
SUPERSCREEN Cineworld ‘Empire’ Leicester Square – 20.5m wide by 11m
Both are certainly decent sizes for non-IMAX screens.
Do you find a Dolby Atmos sound system superior to both IMAX 6-channel and 12-channel sound systems?
Before and after this theatre production does screen 1 still operate as a cinema?