A trip to the movie theater offers a lot of complicated terms without much explanation, from IMAX to 4DX, to Dolby Cinema and Cinemark XD. It is critical to determine if the features are worthwhile paying the additional cost since most of these premium alternatives also have premium price tags.
Here, we’ll go further into Cinemark XD, their premium movie theater. To assist you in determining if the premium is justified, we will examine the video and audio quality and contrast Cinemark’s marketing with the facts.
Overview Of Cinemark XD
The XD theater was first introduced by Cinemark in 2009, therefore it is not a recent innovation. Nevertheless, updates have been made available during the past ten or so years. Since the two theaters are comparable in a number of ways, it makes sense that Cinemark XD is frequently compared to IMAX. In reality, IMAX sued Cinemark years ago, alleging that XD is virtually a clone of IMAX and that Cinemark had stolen trade secrets from IMAX.
After a settlement, the lawsuit was dismissed, and today, IMAX and Cinemark XD are two of the most liked premium cinemas in the United States. Cinemark refers to the enormous screens at XD theaters as “wall-to-wall” and “floor-to-ceiling.” The majority of XD theaters have been converted to an 11.1-enabled surround sound as of 2022, compared to the original XD theaters’ 7.1 surround sound.
Simply said, larger screens, louder speakers, and more comfortable reclining chairs are what distinguish Cinemark XD cinemas from regular movie theaters. The only setback is that the average ticket cost is approximately $2.50 extra than it would be in a typical Cinemark theater. One point we should note before we examine premium movie theaters like XD, IMAX, RPX, 4DX, D-BOX, or Dolby Cinema is that their marketing strategies are basically outlawed.
Premium cinema experiences don’t have a regulatory authority monitoring and fact-checking them as nutrition labels do. Instead, every theater chain is free to assert whatever they like without worrying that it will be refuted or shown false. The assertions made by the cinemas are typically factually accurate. Therefore, it is accurate to say that XD’s sound system has 11 channels when they claim to be 11.1 surround sound compatible.
Regarding whether or not their fancy technology serves the audience, theaters also have the propensity to deceive audiences. For instance, unless you are watching one of the extremely, extremely rare movies that were mixed in Auro 11.1, XD’s 11.1 surround sound compatible speakers aren’t actually giving you the 11-channel experience you were hoping for. In spite of this, the audio experience falls short of 7.1 Dolby Atmos.
Purists have criticized IMAX for their “lie-MAX” cinemas, which are essentially digital versions of the film with poorer quality and/or smaller displays as opposed to the large screens and 70mm film that established the IMAX theater the industry standard more than ten years ago. In essence, IMAX made a name for itself as the greatest before secretly lowering the standard in the majority of its venues.
All this explains that you won’t truly understand what you are watching unless you actually go into your local movie theater. Some individuals may also resort to contacting the cinema and requesting audio and visual information.
A better choice is to evaluate whether the audio and visual conform to your expectations using your eyes, ears, and judgment. If it doesn’t, try a different theater the next time you want to watch the movie.
Claims By Cinemark XD Versus Reality
Here, we’ll examine Cinemark’s assertions and provide a reality check to each. You can then choose whether it is worth it to spend a few more bucks.
Display Screen
Without a doubt, compared to the typical cinema, Cinemark XD has larger screens. The images are produced using 4K projectors, and according to Cinemark, they have 35 trillion hues. I don’t know about you, but I have trouble telling the difference between a projector with 35 trillion colors and one with only 20 trillion colors with my eyes.
It is without a doubt conceivable to have a screen that is 70 feet or longer using digital 4K projectors without sacrificing anything in terms of clarity. In this case, we wholeheartedly concur with Cinemark. Even if it is not the finest among other theater chains, the video quality is excellent.
Recliner Chairs
Whenever we discuss movie theater seats, we should not ignore the fact that everyone’s experience may not be similar. My understanding is that the Cinemark XD experience includes premium seating. The seats have been more comfortable each time I’ve visited an XD theater.
The recliners are, in my opinion, quite comfortable chairs with independent reclining systems for the headrest and footrest. I will therefore sum up this discussion by saying that this point seems to be correct even though we can’t speak for all theaters nationwide.
Surround Sound System
Technically, this is accurate, but there is a catch. Auro 11.1 sound systems, which are essentially 5.1 surround sound with an additional level of 5 surround speakers and an overhead speaker, are available in XD cinemas. Therefore, despite the fact that the surround sound will have additional channels, it won’t be object-based like with Dolby Atmos. In other words, Dolby Atmos is better at “placing” specific sounds than Auro 11.1 is.
The fact that relatively few movies are combined in Auro 11.1 is another vital point. Dolby formats have evolved into a sort of industry standard. More movies are produced with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, or Dolby Digital Plus than are produced without these technologies.
So guess what? You will still enjoy a fantastic, immersive audio experience thanks to Cinemark XD’s enhanced volume plus that added bass. But, I’ve come to the realization that the 11.1 channel surround system is more of a marketing gimmick than anything else.
THX Accredited
Although many of us concentrate on screen size and quality, the majority of contemporary movie theaters actually stand out for their superior sound systems. Even representatives of Cinemark have admitted that “the sound is what people are gushing about the most, even when the images are flawless.”
“Sets the benchmark for the audio and visual integrity of entertainment experiences,” according to the THX Certification label. Therefore, it actually matters a lot that Cinemark XD theaters are THX Certified. Now, it really just depends on who you ask and how big of a concern it is.
You can look up THX Certified theaters in your neighborhood using this search tool, although you’ll likely find that they’re very uncommon there. You can locate other cinemas with the THX emblem if you are in Los Angeles or New York. However, Cinemark XD theaters are typically the only THX Certified cinemas in the area for the majority of us who live in mid-sized cities, the suburbs, or middle America.
Therefore, we also give this claim a factual true rating.
What Is Dolby Cinema?
AMC’s response to the IMAX theater is Dolby Cinema. Dolby Cinema has all of AMC’s top-notch seating, screens, and projectors, just like Cinemark XD.
Which Is Superior, Cinemark XD Or Dolby Cinema?
The experiences offered by Dolby Cinema and Cinemark XD are so dissimilar that they can scarcely be compared. Despite this, most moviegoers choose Dolby Cinema over Cinemark XD.
Sharper images are said to have been produced by Dolby Cinema’s laser projectors as compared to Cinemark XD. Laser projectors also enhance the use of movies shot with a High Dynamic Range camera, which provides deep blacks and bright colors.
However, the Cinemark XD screen is the most IMAX-like in terms of size and aspect ratio. If there isn’t an IMAX theater available close by, Cinemark XD provides an equivalent experience. 1.9:1 screens, however, are still exclusively accessible in IMAX theaters.
However, Cinemark XD displays come in a wide selection of sizes which can vary significantly from one facility to the next, and the phrase simply refers to “the biggest screen in the building.” However, IMAX and Dolby Cinema screens are also affected by this.
It is logical to assume that Cinemark XD theaters will receive these projectors first thanks to their agreement with Barco, which gives them fast access to digital 4K laser projectors. Therefore, Cinemark XD is the way to go if you want to receive a first-hand impression of the quality of these projectors. They don’t, however, present actual 4K content because they are digital 4K projectors. So, Dolby Cinema will be a better option for you if you want to receive a full 4K experience.
The color range will also be wider and the contrast between colors will be greater thanks to Dolby Cinema’s use of two projectors. Making Dolby Cinema the undisputed champion in the visual division.
The Winner: Dolby Cinema
Fans who rank Dolby Cinema as being second to a genuine IMAX screen do appear to think it is the overwhelming victor. Some people undoubtedly believe that the Dolby Atmos system’s sonic immersion elevates the experience above that of an IMAX theater. Many people appreciate it equally but for various reasons.
While Dolby Cinema is a distinct experience from these, Cinemark XD does appear to be preferable for those seeking an IMAX-like experience. Therefore, Cinemark XD is the best option if you want a visual experience that is as near to IMAX as possible, while Dolby Cinema offers a more immersive overall experience because of its superior audio quality.
Take a look at the ticket prices of AMC’s Dolby Cinema by clicking here!
What Opinions Do Audiences Have About XD Theaters?
The majority of the individuals agree that action movies or those with significant special effects are worth paying the additional $2.50 to enjoy in an XD cinema.
You can count on seeing the movie on the biggest screen available when you visit a Cinemark XD theater. The theaters themselves are bigger as well.
There are no “poor seats,” either. Instead, you may rest assured that every seat has a favorable viewing aspect. The reclining seats are also present in most/all XD cinemas, and the seats themselves are incredibly comfy.
One of your only choices for a THX-Certified movie cinema is Cinemark XD. Hence, the seats are more comfortable and the audio is of high quality.
Even though the images aren’t much better than in an actual IMAX cinema, XD is still superior to the “IMAX experience” or those “fake IMAX” that many theaters now offer.
Additionally, the audio is inferior to that of a Dolby Cinema, especially considering that most recent films use Dolby audio rather than XD’s Auro 11.1 sound.
Are XD Movies Worth It, Then?
Although you will be charged $2.50 extra for XD than a standard Cinemark ticket, I believe it is justified. Action movies are definitely worth the extra money. If so, was it upsold? Yes, but a worthwhile one that is also reasonably priced.
To sum up, XD movies feature comfortable chairs that recline, roomy theater, ideal vantage points, and excellent audio!
Cinemark XD Theater Review
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Final Thoughts
In most cases, compared to a regular cinema, Cinemark XD theaters provide you with a better viewing and listening experience. If you are watching an action movie or anything that significantly relies on special effects, the difference is worth the extra $2.50. It may not be worthwhile for a comedy or female film.
Now that you have learned everything about the XD theater in Cinemark, you must take a look at their ticket prices by clicking here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the XD film loud?
Yes, some people could find the audio in an XD theater to be overpowering or overly loud.
What does XD in Cinemark stand for?
Extreme Digital cinema is referred to as the XD. No other local theater compares to the XD.
Do the seats in XD move?
You may experience the force and awe of every moment because your seat moves with the action.
