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AMC's MoviePass competitor has 400,000 subscribers after 14 weeks
We've heard a lot about MoviePass and its competitors recently, one of which is AMC's A-List service. This week, the movie theater chain announced that it has passed over 400,000 subscribers. According to a release, that means the company has achieved 80 percent of its one-year membership goal of 500,000 members in just 14 weeks.
MoviePass has been resurrecting recently cancelled accounts
We've been following the seeming death spiral of MoviePass for awhile now, as the company has run out of cash, limited services, raised prices and more. Now, there's a new issue for subscribers to contend with: People who cancelled their MoviePass subscriptions are finding that their accounts have been reactivated, seemingly without their consent.
MoviePass launches iPhone app and card combo, takes unlimited viewing to all US theaters
While MoviePass was in early beta, it got more than a small amount of pushback from theaters that didn't like someone changing the price formula without their explicit say-so. The company just found an end-run around that conspicuous obstacle. It's releasing both an iPhone app and a reloadable card that, when combined, let MoviePass' effectively unlimited subscription model work at just about any US theater. The app unlocks the card for a specific showing; after that, it's only a matter of swiping the plastic at a payment kiosk like any old credit card. It's not as sophisticated as NFC or Pay With Square, to be sure, but it should keep the rude surprises to a minimum. Both the iOS app and the card require an invitation to the $30 monthly service if you're eager to get watching movies today. If either is too limiting, there's promises of both an Android app and wider availability in the future.
3D glasses vending machine lets you be fashionable in the dark
There are certain things worth paying to upgrade: earbuds, perhaps, and maybe even Spotify. But when it comes to buying fancy 3D glasses for the sole purpose of looking cool in a pitch-black theater -- well, aren't we already spending enough on popcorn and Funyuns? EX3D doesn't seem to think so. Starting August 13th, moviegoers in San Diego will be able to trade in those freebies for fashion at a 3D glasses vending machine. At $22 - $30 a pop, these "affordable" and "stylish" glasses may be a boon for those who wouldn't be caught dead wearing the same specs as their friends. Of course, you can also use these babies out of the theater on a passive 3D TV. As for us? We'll stick with the freebies, thank you very much. Jump past the break for the full PR.
Ask Engadget HD: Does Dolby, RealD or someone else offer the best 3D movie theater experience?
In case you hadn't heard, there's a pretty high profile 3D movie coming to theatres near you this weekend, and assuming one actually has multiple multiplexes to choose from, who has the best technology? RealD and Dolby have been fighting it out to ramp up 3D theater installs over the last couple of years with other competitors also mixed in, but our friend Kevin wants to know if there is a noticeable difference from location to location: A question I have every time a new 3D movie comes out: We have two theaters here that offer 3D movies. One lists them as "Digital 3D"; the other as "RealD 3D". What are the technical differences, and do they end up producing noticeably different final results? Or am I getting the same experience at both theaters? Thanks for your help! We know a few of you must have grabbed a pair of glasses and checked out flicks form the Toy Story series to Coraline and My Bloody Valentine, do you have preference on where to go to see 3D? Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Warner Bros., Universal, and DCIP to make digital cinema a reality
Could it be? Apparently, some major plans have been set in motion to finally go digital on the big screen. Movie industry big-guns Warner Bros., Universal, and Digital Cinema Implementation Partners have announced a joint venture to evaluate various distribution methods, such as satellite or digital terrestrial distribution, to determine the best way to deploy digital content across a whopping 14,000 Regal, AMC, and Cinemark screens. DCIP (equally owned by the 3 aforementioned theater giants) was formed earlier this year to apply the new format to cinemas during the motion picture industry's digital transition where traditional film will peace out for real. The shift, if well-orchestrated, will not only enhance the movie-going experience, but can also provide back-end benefits such as faster rollouts, more scheduling flexibility, and cutting out physical shipping costs. To fight the pirates who will no doubt be wanting a piece of this ultra-HD action, the group is plotting a digital distribution system that streamlines delivery methods and keeps the number of people involved to a minimum. There's no word yet on exactly when this much-anticipated, way-overdue implementation will begin.
Regal movie theaters to issue devices to tattle on troublemakers
As much as we love cellphones and movies around here, we usually remember to shut off our mobiles when we enter a movie theater. Apparently a lot of folks don't pick up on this common courtesy and regularly let their annoying ringtones go off right in the middle of the new blockbuster we just dropped a Hamilton to see in THX bliss. Regal Entertainment Group, the largest American movie theater company, is now issuing a small remote alerting device to "frequent customers" so they can rat on folks who are disrupting the show. About the size of a pager, the remote apparently comes with four buttons: one to alert managers about "a disruption in the audience," a second to point out faulty projection, a third to complain about the temperature, and a fourth for anything else. Apparently customers who get these special devices will receive a free bag of popcorn as payment for their "treachery" -- if you can call it that. We'd be the first to sign up in all reality since we've all but stopped going to movies because of the various annoyances and distraction. Oh, and you can't pause them or do an instant replay.[Via Techdirt, thanks Steve]
