Don't have a DLP at home? Go to a DLP equiped theater then
By Matt Burns 
posted Jun 6th 2006 11:53AM
posted Jun 6th 2006 11:53AM
It would be nice if everyone that wanted a DLP projector could get one. But sometimes other things have priority over another and we move on. But there is still a good chance that you can watch a new movie on one of these beautiful DLP projectors. DLP.com has a Theater Search that queries local cinemas equipped with a DLP projector. You have to be carefully however 'cause not every movie playing is going to be on one of these. Many theaters only have one or two of these projectors which will normally run the big blockbuster of the weekend. Best option is to call ahead to find out what movie is being shown.
What's the difference between a DLP theater and theaters which are just "digital"? I saw X-men 3 and the Da Vinci Code in digital theaters which I guess weren't DLP(That cinema didn't turn up on the search you gave above, so I'm guessing they weren't DLP).
The digital theaters still looked pretty good though. Also, what's the difference between IMAX and a 'digital' theater? I saw 'V for Vendetta' in IMAX and couldn't really notice much difference. Sure, the picture was clean and the screen was pretty big, but what other factors does IMAX have going for it?
I havent been to an IMAX in a while as we dont have one around here, but at the time (several years ago) the IMAX I went to (located in an amusement park, mind you so I dont know if theyre all like this) had a large wraparound screen that made it seem like you were part of what was going on...they showed some roller coaster clips and people were leaning with them and screaming over the big hills...not sure if this is the same though...
travis,
The one you are talking about is IMAX 3D. The one I went to was not 3D. They just release films in IMAX format(Some of the popular ones include Batman Begins, Harry Potter 4, etc.). I read that Superman Returns will be in IMAX 3D...that would be cool.
Pretty much all digital cinema is projected using a DLP projector. There are a few competitors coming out with digital cinema projectors, but they haven't been released.
Regarding IMAX, it is not digital. The last time I was at an IMAX theater (a couple of years ago), I was able to see the large (70 mm) film strip. The idea behind IMAX is to increase resolution and allow projection on HUGE screens.
Check Wikipedia for more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DLP
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMAX
We have one of these theaters in our area, and I find myself driving over about once a month for a showing. It is a sclose to SDTV vs. HDTV as you can get. I was fortunate enough to see the latest Star Wars, Mr. and Mrs. Smith (terrible movie), and MI3 at our local DLP. I highly recommend it!!! I feel that it is a much better experience than going to IMAX. IMAX is almost too big, especially for regular movie, and you sit too close to the movie. Much of the encoding for the movies is done here in town, but yet we only seem to get cartoon movies (Over the Hedge / Cars) lately. Hopefully more will be coming soon. My family loves going to the drive in too, and my wish is to see a DLP at the drive in some day. If not, then I am going to have to build my own family size one...
Thanks,
Justin
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, no? Some cannot see the beauty when DLP rainbows are blinding us through rampant distraction. :)
SJ, the "digital" you are referring to, which is usually listed in the newspapers for showtimes, are referring to the audio(Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS), not video.
I used to live around the corner from the Star southfield in michigan and I believe the first flick I saw on that as Star War Ep 1, it looked incredible.
lol You see rainbows, GhostDoggy? I think you're hallucinating. These projectors don't use color wheels.