ODEON Luxe: West End Dolby Cinema - The Ultimate Way To Watch A Movie

[@dexxa1024]

Love your videos, being a ex projectionist myself I like interesting videos like this 😊

[@boredtech]

Many thanks for watching! Appreciate the feedback from industry professionals.

[@Bucking_Fastard]

Thanks to your videos I am starting to seriously consider taking a trip to London to visit all these amazing cinemas.

[@boredtech]

This one is definitely worth a visit.

[@mrpmj00]

Apple Vision Pro is an even way better immersive experience. Today I was at the Apple Store and I tried the Apple Vision Pro and the demos of 3D movies are amazing, 10x better than what 3D was in theaters (no blue/red lights, 8k resolution, screen size bigger than the biggest commercial theater). I'm done with my physical 150in screen, next upgrade is the Apple Vision Pro....no mouse because it tracks your eyes and knows what you're staring at.

[@ryancarterr]

People are going to be so isolated in the future 😭

[@mrpmj00]

@@ryancarterr The movie READY PLAYER ONE shows that it brings people together.

[@StaminaMC]

Was there earlier as it's National Cinema Day today, but normally I'll go solely for those special movies that warrant better sound and video, just not the IMAX price tag! So it's mostly my local Odeon and their 'iSense' thing, which is better than your average but not something to make a fuss over… Dolby for the special titles, and BFI IMAX for anything shot that specific way.

[@ShortCircuitPS2]

Great video. I’d love to see you do a review of the two main screens at Cinema in the power station. The Dolby cinema there is really good, the room is a bit too long I’d say. Keep up the great content

[@LorenzoAlvarezTutorial]

Odeon pointed out to me that this screen is more around 1.88:1. Additional info they gave me: laser modules are constantly running, 24/24, 365/365, to avoid instabilities. The E3LHs have a module between them that constantly watches the screen and aligbs everything in real time. Regarding the sound pricessor, I remember that was the CP950, but now I have a doubt, but what I remember is they also have a backup processor that automatically comes in in case of failure if the primary one

[@CF-uh2xl]

Interesting info about the laser modules! The Harkness Curolux camera used for calibration can be seen in this video, as can 2xCP850's (the latter at 5:15.)

[@cheekster777]

I’ve watched a bunch of movies at this cinema (Dolby Cinema plus Laser in Screen 2). Often I will watch the same movie in Dolby Cinema then in IMAX with Laser GT across the Square on the same day. 😎 A great way to compare these two formats.

[@boredtech]

That's what I call dedication!

[@cheekster777]

@@boredtech - I watched The Equalizer 3 three times in three different formats in Leicester Square in one day. Dolby Cinema, IMAX with Laser GT and Superscreen. As part of a quadruple-bill at the cinema that day.

[@JSK95]

How would you personally rank the formats? Which is the superior?

[@cheekster777]

@@JSK95 - I’ve often preferred Dolby Cinema for sound and even picture quality and the recliners are miles more comfortable than the terrible seats in IMAX at Leicester Square not to mention zero legroom for tall people like myself. However, what lets Dolby Cinema down at this venue especially when comparing it to IMAX across the Square is the relatively small screen size. It pales in comparison to the sheer size of that IMAX screen. So for total immersion, IMAX wins no contest. There are far more compromises with that IMAX though imo such as speaker placement especially those two ginormous rear surrounds. You’re very limited in where you can choose to sit for the best surround sound effect but if you sit too close then you’ll get neck ache. If only Odeon Luxe, West End Dolby Cinema had a screen the size of Thorpe Park, Leeds (19m wide scope) it would elevate the experience that much more.

[@dvdmike007]

From a trained projectionist and cinema manager, IMAX dual laser and 12 channel kills the Luxe for me

[@boredtech]

IMAX wins with screen size, but looses with brightness. Both sound systems are great, but in IMAX I'm missing speakers at the rear of the auditoium. If movie was shot for IMAX, I would see it there, if not I would choose Dolby Cinema.

[@Hargun-nn4ld]

DD ko ni mi SS😢🎉😂 2❤😅😊​@@boredtech

[@HangWithJames]

Do you have an actual venue recommendation that you think is better than West End? Are you talking about Empire across the square or somewhere else?

[@cheekster777]

Outstanding video, as usual, my friend. Thank you Youry for sharing so much information about this wonderful Dolby Cinema with us. 👍🏻🤓🙏🏻

[@boredtech]

Thanks you very much!

[@cheekster777]

@@boredtech 🤩

[@neilmarktaylor4386]

It will be 38 years in January when I went to see predator at the original odeon west end cinema time flys

[@boredtech]

The Matrix is now 26 years old. Scary!

[@CycleCalm]

I just saw Alien Romulus here, after previously seeing it at VUE, since it was national cinema day, tickets were only £5 instead of £20. Unfortunately I don't think it's worth that full price, even though it is an upgrade over a standard theatre: Curiously they didn't mention it in the video, but the seats have shakers, AKA tactile transducers, in them, which doesn't give the same feel as that from sound vibration. Worse, (I'm assuming it was the transducers and not the actual subwoofers), they made a high pitched whining sound (fixed frequency, not going up and down in pitch like with harmonic distortion) during big bass moments, which was very audible in this film as there were times without mid-high frequency content playing to mask it. There was also rattling noises which seemed to come from one of the seats a few along from me, perhaps it was damaged, or transferring through the table to someone's drink bottle? Oh, and the recliner seats were really noisy whining going back and forth, I think they need some lubrication! On the positive notes, the panning of the surround sound felt seamless and very immersive with the object based atmos, compared to the usual discrete channels of 5/7.1, where it's obvious which speakers are playing. Visually, the screen was a great size, and the contrast was much better, dark scenes were clearer and the bright scene where they first see the sun for example was more impactful. Although after owning a Mini LED TV it still feels just a tiny bit washed out by comparison, just the inherent nature of projection I suppose. I will be sticking to VUE Angel and BFI IMAX for my non home theatre watching still, the first is cheap, but very comfortable/spacious and has good natural tactile response, despite the bass levels actually being lower (something due to the construction of the chairs and/or the risers they sit on I assume), and BFI IMAX needs no explanation!

[@lauturemarjorie7737]

Hey, I will love to see a video where you’re only talking about IMAX sound especially the 12-track audio from Ronson Theatre or BFI

[@SGTfrogman]

Have you been to "The Cinema in The Power Station"? I would be interested to hear you opinion on this location with it being the only non ODEON Dolby cinema in the UK

[@boredtech]

Yes, I’ve been there and I like it very much. Hoping to make a video about it.

[@ambientcafe]

*I continue to lament the disappearance of scope (2:40 AR) screens in lieu of the narrower & less-epic 1:85/1:90 AR screens favored in most modern multiplexes☝️😕 .. and which is why I 💜 my scope-based H/T ..

[@wafflesforbrains9502]

Luckily for me, there's both 1.85:1 and 2.39:1 Dolby locations I can cherry pick from. It's a bit of a bummer that most new cinemas only have 1.85:1 screens. The only newer cinema near me that primarily uses scope screens is an Alamo and they do use masking as well.

[@PUFR-FSH]

I think it mostly depends on the shape of the room to be honest. If you put a 2.39 screen in this auditorium it would be the same width as the 1.85 screen but make 1.85 content appear smaller, so there would be no benefit. But in a wider auditorium, it definitely makes sense to go 2.39.

[@andrewmorrison8033]

great video I have a dedicated Dolby Atmos home cinema so I love and appreciate the detailed technical explanation

[@boredtech]

Nice, how many channels you mentioned to install?

[@andrewmorrison8033]

@@boredtech 9.1.6 9 bed channels 6 ceiling channels and 4 subwoofers 10 feet wide 138" diagonal 16:9 screen laser projector

[@batslog]

I’ve been only going to West End since your first comparison video. Are you thinking to add more reviews in the future? I’ve been curious about the Battersea Dolby Cinema, what do you think about that one? I trust your judgement

[@CycleCalm]

I will have to check this out at some point, but man the prices are steep, more than BFI IMAX! The bass will likely not be as much, but more immersive surround sound, and perhaps a better colour gamut and contrast ratio? Most of the time to be honest, if I'm not watching a film in my home theatre, I will just go to VUE islington, especially since they added comfy recliners to all their seats, even the cheapest ones which are often less than £10.

[@TheVid54]

Very impressive content here. I can only dream of an auditorium like this where I live.

[@boredtech]

Thanks. Hopefully one day you will visit similar cinema.

[@cheekster777]

Thank you Kim.

[@boredtech]

Thank you for watching!

[@ImHereCookin]

Avatar 3 in 1 year. Lets go

[@stefanoredaelli7470]

Very interesting and insightful! iwill try it for sure if I go to london!

[@boredtech]

Thanks! Any news on Dolby Cinema's in Italy?

[@stefanoredaelli7470]

@@boredtech till now no news! I heard some rumour about new Dolby cinema in Italy by next year but just rumours. In the meantime I keep going to my nearest laser IMAX (Uci Orio) or at the independent arcadia, whose sala energia has Atmos and laser projector. If you ever go to Milan, try go there! With 30m width screen it's one of the biggest Atmos setup in the world and they're The only one who does a O.V. screening, usually at Saturday afternoon

[@stefanoredaelli7470]

Sadly no 😑, but I keep going to IMAX Uci Orio or arcadia Melzo,sala energia. You should try them if you ever go here on vacation ahaha Sala energia has a huge 30m (I think it's 100ft) width screen, masking, and a huge Dolby Atmos system. Also laser projector and 70mm!​@@boredtech on Saturday they also usually do an O.V. screening, since most of showtimes here, in all Italy, are dubbed

[@tirsomorales750]

Can you do a tour of the Cineworld Plymouth IMAX? It has a 1.43 screen, dual xenon 2K projection, and 12-channel audio.

[@Taeki]

Didn't get the chance to visit it last time in London but it will happen the next trip ☝️

[@boredtech]

Nice, let us know how it went.

[@zgdupvpmobile364]

thank you for this interesting insight

[@boredtech]

You are most welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@pauledwards8721]

Would be interesting to hear Youry’s take on the Leicester Square Luxe in regards to room treatment etc. as Screen 1 there has a weird design (and the illuminated ornaments at the front on the sides).

[@SGTfrogman]

He has a video on this cinema on his channel

[@CF-uh2xl]

TL;DR: Yes, the Odeon Leicester Square has compromised acoustics. It's a 1930's auditorium that has had major refurbishments (several times!) and the last one certainly added a lot of new acoustic treatment, but it remains basically in its original "form" (basic layout.) The Odeon West End Dolby Cinema is a new build to today's standards. Long version: The main auditorium of Odeon Leicester Square (Dolby Cinema/35mm/5 perf 70mm) of course dates from the 1930's and its form is of the era, being designed on conventional theatre lines and before modern standards for cinema auditorium acoustics emerged (around the time of the THX programme in the early 1980's.) This includes both controlling reverberation (sound reflections) in the auditorium, and isolating the auditorium from outside sound. The OLS has a large circle, and until recently, the balcony significantly overhung quite shallow height stalls underneath. Very challenging, to say the least, to get good audio coverage from the screen speakers of the whole auditorium. The original fibrous plasterwork to the sidewalls/ceiling was "ribbed," ostenibly in an effort to improve acoustics. That's as maybe... certainly I don't think RPG Acoustics will be copying the design! Today, only the 1930's ribbed plasterwork that remains is to the sidewalls/ceiling above the circle, albeit now painted in a dark colour. The plasterwork to the prosencium/screen end has been replaced with fabric covering acoustic absorption. The wood panelling (including, I believe, that around the "flying ladies" replicas either side of the screen--I wouldn't worry about these, if anything they'll act as diffusers) is actually an acoustic wood product, it has lots of holes in it and acoustic absorption behind. The auditorium has improved isolation (not that this seemed to be a noticeable issue before?!)--you can see acoustic plasterboard added to the rear/sides of the stagehouse in photos taken before work was completed and screen installed.) The overhang of the balcony has been reduced with the rearmost stalls area repurposed as concessions/food prep/toilets etc. There is no avoiding the inherent compromises. However, given a good seating position (e.g., not way back in the upper circle!) the Atmos system does sound good and certainly can do immersive stereo imaging, albeit the Dolby trailer tends to be a much better demonstration of this than the main feature itself! Obviously, the Odeon West End Dolby Cinema is a new build with a much smaller auditorium (inherently lower reverberation time,) the sound system doesn't have to (attempt to) cover both circle and stalls, it has a much "drier" sound without the more obvious reverb of the Odeon Leicester Square, and so on. As with any new build the treatment is acoustic absorption (e.g., mineral wool slabs) to all walls and an acoustic tile ceiling. I'm not sure this is what you were looking for over the TL;DR answer, but here it is anyway, in case anyone ever reads this...

[@jbird_inc]

Looks like a fantastic screen, London is spoiled for choice in regards to great cinema. I hope to visit a Dolby Cinema one day! There are currently no Dolby Cinemas in Ireland though we do have some great Atmos screens.

[@Luca-yq7qs]

Great video,this really feels like the best cinema in london as well as bfi imax. Also, where I live I don't have a Dolby cinema but I habe tried it one. Is it normal that I feel more bass in the dolby cinema I tried and even in a dolby atmos here? Imax claims to have the best of the sub frequencies but I feel atmos has more precision, dynamic range and even better bass Obviously an imax auditorium js still great anyway, especially those huge (but also rare) 1.43 screen. Now they tend to build only 1.90, even huge 1.90

[@crayzmarc]

Amazing video!!! Thank you Yuri. Are all Odean Luxe cinemas this high spec?

[@jacobmacdonagh4070]

No this is a Dolby Cinema, Luxe just means Odeons that have recliner seats but only Dolby Cinema screens have these specs, there’s about 5 in the UK I think

[@jacobmacdonagh4070]

No this is a Dolby Cinema, Luxe just means Odeons that have recliner seats but only Dolby Cinema screens have these specs, there’s about 5 in the UK I think

[@crayzmarc]

@jacobmacdonagh4070 does this cinema have multiple screens then like this or is it just one?

[@boredtech]

There are two screens there, only one of them is DOLBY CINEMA.

[@BowBowSiwa]

Been to west end and LSQ multiple times and I find during some films they only run one of the projectors instead of both of them. Is there any reason as to why they do this? I’m would assume it’s because the film isn’t made for Dolby vision but I watched challengers here plus a number of new films such as fall guy, kingdom of the planet of the apes and more and I’ve noticed that all these films are made with Dolby vision yet only one projector is active.

[@frankvee]

I thought all Dolby Cinemas used tactile transducers installed in the seats. Is this not true?

[@boredtech]

Ten Dual 18 inch subwoofers will shake your body, so no need for transducers.

[@FadriqueFM]

@@boredtechThose subs go down to 30hz, they gotta have transducers otherwise you’re losing a lot of LFE content down to single digits.

[@thekiddie73]

Watched Mission Impossible Dead reckoning in Metro centre Dolby Cinema, picture is similar to watching at home in 4k Dolby vision on a oled screen, Sound was unbelievable in terms of bass output hitting you personally, that particular film didnt use overheads loads but the music is superbly clear and loud. Overall its an AV nuts dream day at the cinema. Not the biggest screen but top notch.

[@DIGGERS881]

Love your videos! Why is the screen curved? I have a JVC 4K projector and use a flat screen. Thanks!

[@PUFR-FSH]

Not sure if the reasoning is the same for Dolby, but I know for IMAX its for brightness uniformity since with such a large screen, the edges are naturally further from the projector lense than the centre. Curving the screen reduces this.

[@DIGGERS881]

Thanks!

[@neiltaylor6645]

It’s a shame they demolished the original cinema the first film I saw there was predator well if you are watching a scope film which most films are your going to get the top and bottom of the screen knocked off so make the screen smaller in the old days with scope screens they had curtains to mask of the screen when projecting 1:85 footage

[@paulbale3872]

I remember the excitement when hearing the screen getting wider behind drapes which then slowly opened to reveal a huge widescreen.

[@owichmann]

Saw Star Wars Trilogy 70mm at the original cinema when it was a single screen . Amazing

[@CF-uh2xl]

Screen 2 features a scope screen with moveable masking, Christie laser projection and (whilst not Atmos) a very good sound system. I liked the 1960's interior of the old cinema. However, the building fabric was not in a good condition (e.g., the original 1930's fibrous plaster decorative ceiling was not removed in the 1960's rebuild, parts had fallen away, and there was lots of asbestos contained in the building also) and technically outdated (sightlines, acoustics, etc.) The new auditoria are both very nice, and the spacious foyer is very attractively fitted out.

[@TheMediaHoarder]

That screen is the WRONG ratio! Die Hard should never be smaller than Driving Miss Daisy.

[@TheMediaHoarder]

And did that doofus just say the screen isn’t even masked for scope? Totally unacceptable. Any time I go to a theater and see a movie without proper screen masking, I don’t go back to that theater. I can already watch letterboxed movies at home!

[@boredtech]

Personally I don't have problem with this. So many new movies are shot taller than 2.39:1 Saw Avatar in 1.85:1 there. Looked great!

[@TheMediaHoarder]

@@boredtech Most of the big movies are still shot in 2.35, but so many theaters now don’t have the proper screens for that. Avatar was a unique case as different versions were made in both 1.85 and 2.35, and theaters were supposed to show whichever one made best use of their screen. 2.35 is supposed to be WIDER though, not SHORTER!

[@jbird_inc]

I agree with you but I understand why they would choose this ratio as it makes for a more consistent experience for all ratios. My local Cineworld uses a scope screen for its biggest screen, unfortunately films presented in the ratios from 2.00 and 2.20 are contained within a 1.85 frame in the DCP which means they get windowboxed which looks very displeasing to the eye. (I had the misfortune of seeing Barbie and FNaF in this manner). I would rather take letterboxing of scope content than windowboxing tbh.

[@TheMediaHoarder]

@@jbird_inc That’s why screens should have movable masking, that was standard until just a few years ago!

[@hdmoviesource]

How loud do they play their movies here?

[@boredtech]

Reference levels.

[@ShyamLal-ik4jr]

Ok