With the release of the first of Peter Jackson’s much-anticipated Hobbit trilogy less than two months away, theater owners are having to come to terms with the fact that, while the movie will be released in a format that allows it to be projected at the increased frame rate of 48 frames per second, that enhanced release will be limited to a small number of theaters in the US, based around two particular theater chains.
Warner Bros. had announced last Spring that it planned to make The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey available at the increased rate – The traditional frame rate for movie projection is 24 frames per second – to excitement from the theater industry in general. However, that excitement has paled when it was revealed that only 400 screens in the US will be receiving this edition of the movie, with the remainder receiving a 24 frame per second edition (For context, it was estimated that there were 39,580 movie screens in total in the US last year).
The limited release for the advanced format is being described by the studio as “a platform release” that utilizes what is called HFR 3D technology present in mostly Regal and AMC theaters, upsetting many theater owners. According to Michael Karagosian, president of cinema consultancy MKPE Consulting, “Several manufacturers set aside profitable projects to switch resources to supporting HFRs for Hobbit,” without realizing that they wouldn’t have the opportunity to show the improved version. Amongst those manufacturers, Sony Electronics, whose Senior Vice President of Digital Cinema Solutions Gary Johns admits “We put the money into it,” before adding that although “the opportunity for sales is diminished,” he “think[s] we will get there. I’m sure it will be back. We think HFRs is great thing.”
The reason for the limited release, according to Warners, is that it wants the movie to be seen in the best light possible, which means taking time to ensure that the technology has been properly installed. “We want to make sure we do it properly and make sure the public sees it in its best form,” Warners President of Domestic Distribution Dan Fellman is on record as saying. “We are very committed to this. [High frame rates are] the most important change in exhibition, probably since the introduction of sound.”
The idea that the technology may not be up to standards everywhere isn’t an entirely fallacious one, according to Dolby’s Senior Director of Cinema Product Marketing Matt Cuson: “Some technical issues have come up in testing and not all the devices did things as well as Warners had expected,” he said, adding that “It’s a high profile fail, should you fail. Nobody wants that.”
The takeaway for fans interested in seeing Jackson’s latest epic as close to the way the director intended it, perhaps, is that they should pick their theaters carefully when the movie is released December 14. Otherwise, who knows what treats you’ll miss?
My eyes can’t see 48 frames per second, why should I care if I’m shown a movie @ such speed?
How can you just “not see it”?
Have you seen soap operas? Notice how smooth they are? It’s kind of like that.
The human eye has a cap which is typically about 32FPS. They simply don’t register faster than that. I believe the average movie’s shot around 24FPS but don’t quote me. In the gaming industry you’ll get all kinds of BS answers on this topic so it’s hard to know what to put stock into, though it is an easy way to get an idea of what’s perceivable or not. (since there’re soo many comparison videos out there) Look it up and/or talk to an optometrist some time though.. it’s interesting stuff! All that said, I suppose if there’re any slow-motion scenes, a higher number wouldn’t be a bad thing, but I don’t recall that affect being used in the series?
Then why can I easily see a difference between 30, 48, and 60?
Because your brain’s pretty good @ make believe ;)
BTW, games are somewhat of a different story, since you’ve got other details to take into account.. such as how long it takes for a videocard to render a frame etc.
But it’s not just games. I can absolutely tell when a regular video is running at 30 vs 60. Or 24 vs 48. Just watching The Hobbit trailer running at 48 fps and I can quite easily see the difference. It’s far smoother than 24 fps.
The difference is quite massive. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean no one else can.
I can see the difference between a 60hz HDTV and 120hz and 240hz and I am pretty sure I can see the difference between 24 and 48 fps. So I have to agree with Craig Thompson.
If you can’t see it then don’t bother with 48. I would be willing to bet that if you looked more carefully or knew what you were looking for you’d notice it everywhere after. It can’t be unseen!
I’m looking forward to seeing a 48fps movie. It’s about time! Who knows, maybe 60fps next!
Read the comment I just wrote to Craig Thompson.. or in short, the human eye has a cap @ about 32, (on the high end of the spectrum).
You’re entitled to that opinion but I can assure you that when I film something in 30, 48, or 60fps I can tell which it is without looking at the fps counter. That is, when there is medium to fast motion on the screen or even a normal pan. A simple dialog scene would be more difficult to tell.
Whatever you say about how you think videocards muddle this, the output (which is what matters) can still be well over 60fps which is a HUGE improvement over 40 or 30fps.
And you’re entitled to yours ;)