Skip to main content

Are 3D-capable theaters delivering dim 2D movies?

sony-4k-digital-projector-with-3d-adapter
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Movie critic Roger Ebert has long complained about the dimness and poor visual quality of 3D movies and now he’s not alone. The Boston Globe (via Engadget) reports that major theater chains in the Boston area, and presumably around the country, are misusing their 3D-capable projectors and damaging picture quality and brightness for those watching 2D films.

The problem: Many of the major theater chains, including AMC and Regal cinemas have upgraded to 3D-capable 4K digital projectors by Sony. However, when showing 2D films, theaters are not removing the 3D lenses from the projectors, resulting in a lower fidelity picture that is about 50 percent dimmer than it should be. In addition, many theaters may not be replacing their digital projector bulbs every six months, resulting in further declines in brightness. Perusing an AMC Loews theater in Boston, the Globe found that eight of the theater’s 19 screens showed “gloomy, underlit images.” One light & sound expert the paper interviewed claims that 2D films projected through Sony’s 3D lenses can be as much as 85 percent darker than a properly projected film.

Recommended Videos

The reason: Much of the problem may be due to the hassle of changing lenses on the 4K Sony projectors. Regal and AMC signed deals with Sony in 2009 because it offered the digital projectors for free in exchange for ad-time before movies. However, when 3D movies took off, Sony had to retrofit its 2D projectors with 3D lenses. It would be cost prohibitive for the companies to completely replace all of their free Sony projectors, but the units have a lot of problems. Just to open the projector, security clearances and passwords are needed and any mistake could result in the projector shutting down. This risk, along with the bureaucracy of who should make the call (corporate leaves it up to theaters, who just don’t do it because they don’t want to get in trouble with corporate) is resulting in projectors that just get left in 3D, jipping customers who paid a lot of money to see a show. It seems that many theaters are not replacing their digital projector bulbs quickly enough either (once every few  months), resulting in dimmer, colorless films.

Find out for yourself: Want to know if your local theater is ripping you off? There’s an easy way to tell. If there are two beams of light coming from the projector for a 2D movie, then the theater hasn’t turned off 3D. While you’re roaming around, check in other theaters and look at the brightness of the screens. Can you notice a difference between different screens? Let us know.

Below is an infographic by the Boston Globe, showing how the projector technology works.

boston-globe-infographic-3d-digital-projecters
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Topics
Jeffrey Van Camp
Former Digital Trends Contributor
As DT's Deputy Editor, Jeff helps oversee editorial operations at Digital Trends. Previously, he ran the site's…
3 underrated Netflix shows you should watch this weekend (November 1-3)
Kids sits at a table in The Midnight Club.

Now that Halloween is behind us, you might be looking for something to get you into a more definitively fall mood. Netflix obviously has plenty of great bingeable shows for you to watch, but there are many that have flown under the radar that are well worth your attention.

We've pulled together three underrated series that are all worth your time. Each of them has a distinct vibe and style, and all of them will keep you riveted.

Read more
3 underrated Netflix movies you should watch this weekend (November 1-3)
Four men ride on their horses in Robin Hood.

It's an odd time of the year for Americans. This weekend is sandwich between a Halloween that's already over and a U.S. election that looms over everyone. It's not a stretch of the imagination to say that many want a relief from it all.

Well, there's always Netflix. The streamer has tons of movies at its disposal, including some you may have passed over to binge the latest season of The Diplomat. The following three movies may not be at the top of everyone's list, but they are worthwhile movies to watch, and contain absolutely no serial killers or contested election results.

Read more
3 underrated (HBO) Max movies you should watch this weekend (November 1-3)
A man holds up a diorama in Dinner for Schmucks.

Halloween is over, and you don't want to watch another scary movie ever again. I can't blame you; after watching new horror movies like Smile 2 and classics like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, I need a bit of a breather.

Thankfully, this list will help you start your November off strong and relatively blood-free. Whether you're craving laughs, romance, or action-packed thrills, there's bound to be something on this list to entertain you this weekend.

Read more