Enter 6D Cinema And End Of The 3D Era?

To most of us, 3D cinema is synonymous with Elton John style glasses.  We have all enjoyed many wonderful movies made with 3D technology.  Recent blockbuster movies like “Ice Age: Dawn of Dinosaurs,” “G-Force” and “Up” have all been created using the latest stereoscopic 3D technology.

Most of us know that 3D films recreate moving images of the third dimension, creating an illusion of depth which the viewer experiences.  The three-dimensional cinema has been around for a very long time.  Although, 3D films were shown as far back as the 1920s, it was not until the 1950s that they became popular, ever since Arch Oboler had written, directed and produced “Bwana Devil” in 1952, which is based on the true story of the Tsavo maneaters.  The 3D power tucked away in digital projectors has been tapped.

These 3D films allow viewers to see the objects, such as buildings, cars etc. in a larger space and not on a flat surface.  There is a lot of effort behind the beautiful 3D technology, such as stereoscopy, which allows viewers to see different images with the left and right eyes. The stereoscopic effect is created with the use of 3D glasses and different projectors.

Stereoscopic films are also be produced through different methods.  Several systems were hugely popular over the years.  In the 1950’s, when 3D cinema came into its own, it was the anaglyph system, then came the polarization systems, which showed images that are more life-like and caused far less eye strain than the anaglyph system, thus enabling viewers to enjoy longer 3D films without any problems.

Currently, digital 3D format is used widely, and the first films to be made using the digital format are, “Chicken Little” by Walt Disney and Scar3D in 2007.

The three-dimensional cinema experienced its share of rollercoaster rides, ever since its inception, because of technical difficulties.  But frequent technological advances kept reviving 3D over the years.  A lot of credit for the huge success and popularity of 3D goes to the computer-animated films that proved to be a highly popular source of 3D material.  Such films are also easier to produce when compared to live action films.  Today, further advances in technology have given way to the next level of 3D cinema.

Have you heard of the latest 6D cinema?  These 6D films not only offer 3D images but take the viewing pleasure to an entirely new dimension by exposing the audience to the environmental elements; such as rain, wind and smell, similar to what the onscreen characters experience.

A British-based company named Light Cinema, recently launched “6D Cinema” in Bucharest, Romania. They say theirs is the world’s first 6D Cinema.  The chairs in the theater also revolve on cue to provide the viewer an extraordinary experience unlike anything they have seen before.

The technology costs for this new Cineplex with eight screens, are said to be around 600,000 pounds.  This unique theater has a café bar and a foyer.  It can seat up to 40 people and the films it screens are between five minutes and fifteen minutes long.  They play Hollywood blockbusters and alternative films.  They already have plans to open a second light theater in Oradea, Romania in the fall, and have the intention of establishing high-end digital theaters in Europe.

It is only a matter of time before 6D cinema is seen the world over. Adlabs Cinema also launched its first 6D cinema experience in India, employing cutting-edge audio and visual effects that bring to the audience, three-dimensional images, allowing them to experience simultaneous sight, smell, touch, sound, motion and interactivity.

The new 6D technology is expected to take off in a better manner than 3D technology did when it made its entry.  We may see less and less of the regular 3D films in the near future.  But it is left to be seen whether the swirling chairs, the smells and other aspects that are part of 6D cinema have the desired effect and become popular with the audiences.

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