Ask Engadget HD: Does Dolby, RealD or someone else offer the best 3D movie theater experience?
By Richard Lawler 
posted December 16th 2009 3:15PM
posted December 16th 2009 3:15PM
A question I have every time a new 3D movie comes out: We have two theaters here that offer 3D movies. One lists them as "Digital 3D"; the other as "RealD 3D". What are the technical differences, and do they end up producing noticeably different final results? Or am I getting the same experience at both theaters? Thanks for your help!
We know a few of you must have grabbed a pair of glasses and checked out flicks form the Toy Story series to Coraline and My Bloody Valentine, do you have preference on where to go to see 3D?
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i'm seeing avatar at the amc imax by my house. its only an extra $1 over the price of the standard real D screen. si imax wins for me
i'm going to see Avatar at the amc imax by my house. the price difference is only $1 more than it would cost to see on the standard Real D projection system. so imax wins
Digital 3D gives you a headache and RealD 3D makes you nauseous. Or do I have that backwards?
I recommed reading this forum on AVS forum. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1085037
RealD 3D is superior to IMAX 3D:
- IMAX glasses are more sensitive to orientation. I see a blurry anaglyph image whenever I tilt my head, forcing me to keep my head level. I haven't noticed this problem with RealD 3D.
- IMAX glasses are reused and poorly cleaned between uses. I usually have to clean them myself with a moist eyeglass-cleaning wipe. RealD 3D glasses are disposable, so I always get a perfectly clean pair.
- IMAX film degrades. There's almost always a spec of dirt roaming around the screen. RealD 3D is digital.
However, both reduce the brightness. 2D digital appears brighter and more vivid.
As far as I know* the UK only has RealD and IMAX 3D, and I prefer IMAX 3D, simply because the screen is massive. I honestly can't tell the difference between RealD and IMAX 3D in terms of quality (on 35mm films), so I'd rather go to the IMAX.
And yeah, it's full sized IMAX, not those AMC scaled down ones you have over there*.
*Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
@(Unverified)
You're right and wrong... AMC Theater Group has hosted IMAX Theaters for years, its only been recently that the smaller AMC IMAX Theater's have been cropping up prompting complaints about the IMAX premium being charged for movies which are on only slightly larger screens.
@(Unverified)
the amc one by my house is a real imax and not a scaled down one. not all amc imax are scaled down ones. im on of the lucky ones. but we also have a non amc imax as well.
a good comparison on AVS Forum.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15388203#post15388203
Looks like CNET likes Dolby 3D the best. Here's the article. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13580_3-9821709-39.html
I've only been to RealD screens and there are only two IMAX screens here in Brazil: one in São Paulo (I live in a city just outside) and one in Curitiba. anyway, I've never seen anything in IMAX.
I think they should just dump the entire concept. Mass production unfortunately treats the bespectacled masses rather poorly, creating products that don't work particularly well for them. The 2-3 movies I have seen in theaters were blurry, unfocused and simply not made with glasses in mind.Even having said that, it's a technology that is still in it's infancy at best and should not be used as a full on marketing ploy. I'll watch the non-3d version before watching the 3d version.
I cannot speak on IMAX 3D as I do not work on it. Regarding Dolby 3D, RealD, and MasterImage 3D; All of these system use a digital projector, there is no 35mm film involved.
Dolby uses a spinning "notch filter" wheel in the light path as well as reusable glasses. This system usually has the highest light requirement and needs a 1.8 gain screen (although not silver). Glasses are reusable, and should be cleaned by the theater (this does not always happen). To my eyes, this system has inferior 3D image quality.
MasterImage 3D uses a large spinning polarization disc mounted on a cart rolled in front of the projector. It requires a silver screen and glasses are disposable. In poorly constructed theaters, the noise from the disc motor can be audible. To my eyes, 3D image quality appears better than Dolby but not as good as RealD.
RealD has both active and passive systems. Active systems (Z-screen and XL) are used with NEC, Barco, and Christie projectors. The passive system consisting of a special lens with polarized glass filters is used with Sony projectors. Both require a silver screen and use disposable glasses. Keep in mind that the "superior" resolution of the Sony 4K system is not used in 3D as the image is made up of 2K for left eye and 2K for right eye. As such it is resolution equivalent to the NEC, Barco, and Christie .98" chip systems as well as 1.2" chip systems that have been upgraded.
Given all these variables, I do not see how it is possible for a customer to know what precisely which 3D system they are watching although the logo on the glasses should give you some clue. I know most theater staff don't know or care what system they have. Good luck!
@Trevor What movie did you watch with each 3D system. I find it surprising that you found the Dolby 3D system the worse when most reviews I've read online stating that they had the best 3D effect. Maybe not the best color uniformity but the best 3D. Also the RealD at my local Regal Theater reuses there 3D glasses so the Dolby system is not the system that does that. Now I've never seen the Dolby 3D in person but I'm going to give it a try this weekend while seeing Avatar.
@buck11772 RealD glasses are recycled (blue standees outside theater doors). If your local theater is reusing them, then you should wonder what they're up to. They are supposed to remove the shipping box from the standee when it's full and ship it to the recycling center.
I have seen too many 3D movies and trailers to recall what I have seen on which system. I have done back to back installs of RealD and Dolby for the same feature releases and, to my eyes, the RealD looks better. I have no doubt that the Dolby technology is superior, but my eyes like the RealD. It seems crisper and brighter.
I am curious to watch all of Avatar because all of the other 3D live action features have looked bad. The CGI features always trump the live action features in 3D. Avatar is both, so it will be a good comparison. Of course, this has nothing to do with "exhibition" and is completely at the mercy of "production".
@Trevor
Still another company with 3D technology is XpanD which utilize active shutter glasses. Interestingly enough these same glasses can be used for home systems. Here are a couple additions about each technology that I have read.
IMAX 3D is based on linear polarized glasses.
RealD/MasterImage 3D are both based on circular polarized glasses
Dolby 3D is based on color shifts, the RGB spectrum is shifted slightly for each eye and the glasses correct these.
I have experience IMAX 3D, RealD, and Dolby 3D and so far I like Dolby 3D. I am going tomorrow to see XpanD for Avatar and we will see if active is the best.