Cinemark XD Vs Digital Cinema - The Ultimate Review

Cinemark XD (Extreme Digital) theaters are one of the most advanced theater technologies with the latest offerings from the industry’s leading manufacturer, with each boasting impressive features and performance.

Is Cinemark XD or the Digital Cinema Projector the best choice for your movie theater experience? Find out which one is better.

Cinemark XD Vs. Digital Cinema

Feature	Cinmark XD	Digital Cinema
Screen Technology	It has a typical screen that is about 70 feet tall. The screen is capable of producing about 35 trillion colors. It is ideal for 4K resolution and blends the visual effects with stereoscopic technology.	Has a relatively large screen but cannot compare to the screen size of Cinemark XD. Ideal for 2K resolution. But theaters such as IMAX digital provides a provision for both 2K and 4K resolutions.
Sound	Features an 11.1 channel surround sound system. It uses JBL custom systems for crisp audio digital sound quality. In addition, it employs the Auro and Barco audio technologies.	Digital cinema, such as the IMAX digital, uses a 12-channel sound system. However, they do not use high-end system providers such as Auro and Barco.
System Structure	Characterized by an extra-large screen that runs from wall to wall and from the foot to the ceiling. The screen is about 70 feet tall. The theater is fitted with ergonomic chairs that support the spine to offer ultimate comfort. There are recliner seats with footrests, headrests, and cup holders. The theater space is aesthetically modified and fitted with modern items.	Has a large screen with limited aspect ratios. It has an old theater layout characterized by less spacious and less comfortable seating arrangements. However, you can find modern, ample theater spaces with comfortable padded seating arrangements. It does not have modern items as compared to the Cinemark XD theatre.
3D Compatibility	Has a desirable 3D projection. XD is a stereoscopic projection of a 3D scene. In addition to the large screen and astounding sound effects, the seats are reactive to the events of a 3D movie.	3D projectors produce precise 3D pictures with the visual impression of the real world. The 3D experience in a digital cinema theatre is a thing to go with.
Backend Technology	Uses Barco digital 4K projectors. The digital projectors use Digital Light Processing (DLP) projection technology. This technology uses a chip and a spinning color wheel to produce an image. The projector produces up to about 35 trillion colors illuminated on a large 70 feet screen producing high-contrast images. Uses a 35 mm film projection.	Uses LCD projectors. In an LCD projector, light is passed through LCD panels, collimated using a lens, and projected on the screen. This technology produces high-resolution images. Uses digital video projection.
Theater Experience	Cinemark XD cinema theaters provide a highly immersive theatre experience in various ways. The 11.1 multi-channel sound system offers 11 layers of sound and location-based technology to make the theatre environment more immersive and realistic. High-quality sounds will make you appreciate the innovation surrounding a movie's sound. The theater becomes a home throughout the movie period. Cinemark theater seats have been ergonomically customized to give seat comfort for the extended sitting time. In addition, the seats use a simulator to provide a completely immersive experience throughout the movie. Some theaters have DBOX seats, taking the immersive experience to another level. Cinemark XD auditoriums have a THX, badge of honor certification. This certification means that one can rest assured that the theater experience is top-notch. Experts in the industry have verified image quality, immersive audio, and auditorium environment optimization.	Digital cinema theaters provide an excellent theatre experience that is not highly immersive compared to Cinemark’s XD in various ways. Digital cinema theaters use surround sound systems to bring viewers to the heart of the action. For example, digital IMAX uses a 12-channel surround system. Digital cinema theaters have comfortable seating arrangements. Some theaters have adjustable seats that can cater to almost everyone.
Movie Experience	Want to have a complete experience of the latest blockbuster? Cinemark XD cinema theaters might have the ideal movie experience for you. Cinemark has ensured a complete movie experience with the following provisions. Cinemark XD is capable of playing almost all movie formats. It has an extra-large screen, 70 ft. tall, that runs from the floor to the roof. This screen ensures that all the details in the movie are clear and well projected. To make it more impressive, the screen can produce about 35 trillion colors with lots of detail. The quality of audio in a Cinemark XD theatre sound system makes one feel like they are part of the action. It ensures that one cannot miss a single detail of the storyline.	Watching a movie in a digital cinema theater gives a worthwhile experience compared to watching it from home. Here are ways how a digital cinema theatre makes a movie experience worthwhile. Not capable of playing all film formats. For example, the IMAX digital theatre plays IMAX films only. A standard cinema screen is about 45 to 65 feet. Wide and 30 feet tall. It is capable of displaying highly detailed images with respect to the format and quality. The surround sound system is good enough to bring out all the sounds in high quality. In addition, the theater room is insulated so that the sound cannot escape to the outside environment.
Availability	Cinemark XD studios are not available everywhere. However, Cinemark is keen on expanding the theaters.	There are quite a several digital cinema theaters all over.
Cost	XD will require you to dig deeper into the pocket. An XD theater will cost $2.5 extra compared to a standard theater. However, the experience is worthwhile, especially when watching a movie that relies heavily on special effects.	Digital cinema theater provides value for money. They have some of the most affordable cinema tickets.

What is XD Theater Technology

Unveiled in 2009, the Cinemark XD theatre technology provides an exclusive viewing experience like no other. The XD stands for Extreme Digital.

It is characterized by magnificent wall-to-wall screens, an 11.1 multi-channel surround system, and state-of-the-art luxury seats. This technology is powered by the projection of high-quality images on the screens by state-of-the-art Barco digital 4K projectors in 35 trillion colors. Picture distortion is a non-existent phenomenon with this technology.

Watching movies in Cinemark XD movie theater makes the experience attractive and worthwhile. The unbeatable sound system complements the pristine visuals to give a complete wow effect to various genres of movies. Examples of movies to watch in a Cinemark XD theater includes the Transformers, Jurassic world Dominion, and Harry Potter, to mention a few.

Transformers

The transformers have top special effects and thrilling action making the movie series worth watching in a Cinemark XD movie theater. The special effects breathe life into the movie series. The Cinemark XD movie theater keeps one puzzled by the scenes. The theater’s sound system also helps keep the sounds in the movie clear and astounding throughout the storyline.

Jurassic World Dominion

The Cinemark XD gives a top-tier watching experience of the Jurassic World Dominion blockbuster. The large screen and enhanced sound system breathe life into the scenes. Making it possible to see the monsters on a large high-quality picture screen.

Harry Potter

Watch the life mysteries of Harry Potter in an exhilarating experience of Cinemark XD movie theater. The large picture and enhanced sound make the wizarding world more exhilarating. The 35 trillion color display will ensure a thrilling wizard movie experience.

What is Digital Cinema Theater Technology

Digital cinema movie theater technology involves using technologies such as DLP projection and LCOS projection to display images on a screen. In addition, this technology uses fiber optics and satellite transmission to distribute motion pictures.

Types of digital cinema include 2D, 3D,4D, and 5D. These 4D and 5D technologies are characterized by the 3D picture quality and additional features such as a dynamic seat system that moves with the flow of the movies.

Apocalypto

Apocalypto excites a myriad of feelings and emotions. To make the experience worthwhile, watching it in an environment that enhances the emotional reactions to the character’s surrounding environment is essential.

Thor

Thor is a great movie to watch in the digital cinema theater. The sound quality in a digital cinema theater will help set the mood and evoke emotional responses to emphasize what is on the screen. In addition, the picture quality is pitch-perfect. You will not miss any moments all through the plot.

Avatar

This movie gives an immersive experience like no other. The visual feast in this movie takes one on a roller-coaster with realistic images and breathtaking battle scenes. The 3D experience makes Avatar ideal to watch in a digital cinema theater.

Other Remarkable Theater Technologies

70MM Theater Technology
Digital IMAX/IMAX with Laser (Branded IMAX)
RealD 3D
PRIME at AMC
Dolby Cinema at AMC
BigD at AMC
4DX
D-BOX
ScreenX
VOID
RPX

70MM Theater Technology

70 mm theater technology gives filmmakers the power to produce detailed images with a richer visual experience. It involves the production of films with frames of 70mm gauge. The 70mm technology gives an experience that is comparable to both Cinemax XD and digital cinema. It has a higher resolution than HD digital films. The issue of which is better trickles down to an individual’s preference.

Digital IMAX/IMAX with Laser (Branded IMAX)

IMAX with laser is a laser projection technology that produces brighter images using laser light engines. IMAX with a laser produces pictures and sound of high quality comparable to both Cinemark XD and digital cinemas but with higher brightness. Deciding what is better lies with the preferences of an individual.

My guide on 4DX Vs. IMAX here. and IMAX Vs. Standard here.

RealD 3D

RealD 3D theater technology projects movies on film-less digital projectors. Films projected with this technology must be in digital 3D format. In addition, it allows viewers to get a clear picture upon turning or tilting their heads with the help of a passive circular polarization technique. RealD 3D produces an image resolution of full-HD. However, this technology, similar to standard digital cinema, uses a standard-sized screen compared to large screens used in Cinemax XD. RealD 3D is ideal for high-quality image enthusiasts.

PRIME at AMC

Prime at AMC theater technology focuses on producing movies with brighter colors and richer contrasts. Prime at AMC theaters is fitted with power reclining seats with transducers to provide a top-notch theater experience. The sound and picture quality offers an experience similar to Cinemark XD and digital cinema. Prime at AMC has gone further to ensure a sublime seating that puts one right into the heart of movie action.

Dolby Cinema at AMC

Dolby Cinema at AMC theater technology is a prevalent screening technology characterized by proprietary technologies to keep viewers at the heart of the action. It uses a 4K laser projection system that produces vibrant colored images with spectacular brightness. Its experience is characterized by a breathtaking sound system and innovative seating that pulsate with the action. The projection system provides better luminance compared to that of traditional 3D.

Read on Dolby Cinema Vs. IMAX comparisons here.

BigD at AMC

BigD at AMC theater technology brings out the digital experience to another level. Like the Cinemark XD, the BigD theater is characterized by a large screen that runs from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. This technology produces a higher resolution picture quality compared to digital cinema. BigD is a premium viewing technology and thus would provide a better viewing experience compared to Cinemark XD and Digital cinema.

4DX

4DX theater technology is a state-of-the-art 4D technology that makes the theater environment more inclusive of what is happening in the movie. It incorporates environmental effects such as snow and fog. The experience of a 4DX theater is a mile further compared to both Cinemark XD and Digital cinema. If you want to feel more a part of the storyline, 4DX theater technology stands tall compared to both Cinemark XD and digital cinema.

D-BOX

The D-BOX theater technology has revolutionized the movie-watching experience by introducing synchronized seat movements. Cinemark XD employs this technology to provide a fully immersive theater experience. The experience of a D-BOX theater is better compared to standard Cinemark XD and digital cinema theaters. It puts you in complete control of the action with the provision of volume control.

ScreenX

The ScreenX theater technology is an immersive theater technology that expands the action beyond the main screen. It is characterized by a screen that runs around the room with the projection of five projectors. The side walls just are used for extra footage. Thus you do not have to keep turning for the action. The experience of ScreenX can be more immersive than both Cinemark XD and digital cinema. However, the side screens can be destructive.

VOID

The VOID theater technology brings the concept of virtual reality right into the action. This technology gives the viewers a fully immersive experience by transporting them to the movie environment with multisensory effects such as touch and smell. The experience of VOID theater technology is more immersive compared to both Cinemark XD and digital cinema technologies. The VOID is the way to go if you want a fully immersive theater experience.

RPX

RPX theater technology (Regal Premium Experience) is characterized by forty feet of vertical and sixty feet of horizontal screen. Similar to the Cinemark XD, it uses an 11.1 Auro sound system. RPX provides a better theater experience compared to a standard digital cinema theater. To pick the best between RPX and Cinemark XD lies on the budget and preference of an individual.

Find out how RPX Vs. IMAX details here.

FAQ

What sound system does Cinemark XD use?

Cinemark XD uses an 11.1 multi-channel surround audio system. A custom JBL sound system is used to produce clear and crisp audio. Cinemark also employs Barco and Auro immersive sound systems to complement the theatre experience.

When did XD become a thing?

XD (Extreme Digital) was rolled out by Cinemark back in 2009. The first XD theater was constructed in 2009 in San Francisco at a Century Theatre. IMAX filed a lawsuit against Cinemark, claiming a breach of trade secrets. However, the two companies later buried their differences in 2011 and started partnering.

What is the difference between XD and Standard?

Extreme Digital (XD) and standard digital cinema technologies have several differences. First, the different aspect ratios propel the picture quality difference between these technologies. XD has an aspect ratio of 1.90:1, while the Standard has common average ratios of 1.85:1 and 2.39:1. The second is the projection. XD uses digital stereoscopic projection, while the standard use LCD projectors to project images on the screen.

How much bigger is an XD screen?

The standard size of an XD screen is 70 feet. The screen features an aspect ratio of 1.90:1. A standard cinema screen is about 65 feet wide and 30 feet tall with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The XD is comparable to the IMAX screen, which is about 72 feet tall with an aspect ratio of 1.90:1.

Is 70mm film better than digital?

A 70 mm film is better than a digital one. It displays a wider aspect ratio than the typical aspect ratio of digital cinema. Thus, it displays detailed images with a richer visual experience.

How many calories are in a large movie popcorn from AMC, Regal, and Cinemark?

A large movie popcorn from AMC contains 1,030 calories and 41 grams of fat. Heading to Regal, you will get 960 calories for a large. At Cinemark, the large popcorn contains 910 calories without butter.

Is IMAX with laser better than digital?

IMAX with a laser produces better images than digital cinema. It produces an image with 50 percent greater brightness than standard digital cinema. In addition, it produces a better contrast ratio compared to digital cinemas. Thus, IMAX with laser is better than digital.

Read on how to host a private watch party here.

The difference lies in the quality of the image and audio. While both XD and digital cinema systems are capable of creating a large, bright, detailed image, the difference in quality between them is noticeable. The quality of the picture is dependent on the size of the screen. The smaller the screen, the worse the picture quality will be. The larger the screen, the better the picture quality will be. And that’s my two cents on XD vs. Digital Cinema.

Cinemark XD Vs Digital Cinema – The Ultimate Review