About The Giant Screen Cinema
The Giant Screen at Millennium Point officially opened as an independent cinema in October 2011.
Having served as an IMAX® cinema for over ten years exhibiting analogue film (70mm IMAX® prints), Millennium Point Property Limited undertook a rigorous tendering process with companies worldwide to find a suitable replacement to allow our customers to enjoy a greater variety of content while still retaining the essential elements of the Giant Screen experience.
We took the opportunity to install a state of the art digital dual projection system from Barco and High Quality Dolby® 3D system for 3D content.
A brand new, Perlux® 220 ultra-high brightness ‘Giant Screen’ (conforming to the Giant Screen Standard as outlined by the international Giant Screen Cinema Association) was also installed, designed to deliver high quality 3D and 2D feature film playback.
How is it different?
We are now a fully digital cinema and no longer rely on analogue film. All movies supplied to the UK will be digital by 2014, and all main stream cinemas will have had to convert to the new digital format by that time. One reason why we needed to make this move now. As an independent cinema, we now have the opportunity to enjoy more new movies from many different suppliers, not restricted only to showing those released by IMAX Corp. making many more titles available to us. Plus alternative content, such as live music, drama and sporting events, as well as offering the venue for private hire.
The Giant Screen
At 72 foot wide and with the ability to show content up to 1.85:1 ratio, our screen is officially recognised as a ‘Giant Screen’ by the Giant Screen Cinema Association.
We also conform to the following recognised characteristics of a giant screen theatre:
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Stadium-style seating
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A high degree of noise isolation
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A “neutral” acoustic environment, with short reverberation time and minimal sound reflections
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Discrete rear channel speakers
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The potential to utilise uncompressed audio sources
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Appropriate amplifier power and speakers to deliver extended dynamic range, and proper equalization to provide an accurate frequency response
The Giant Screen at Millennium Point is currently the largest cinema screen in the
Dolby® 3D system
Dolby® 3D is a unique technology which delivers realistic colour and a sharper, clearer image from every seat in the theatre. The system has the effect of immersing audiences in the on-screen action, whilst the Dolby® Digital Audio technology ensures a rich, enveloping sound experience.
The Dolby® 3D system allows users to sit comfortably and allows customers to enjoy the show with the ability to move their heads to follow the action on screen (competing systems based on passive polarisation technology are more sensitive to users changing the attitude of the glasses in relation to the screen). With reduced eye strain and fewer of the artefacts associated with other 3D systems, Dolby® 3D remains the benchmark for high quality 3D cinema.
3D Glasses
The Dolby® 3D system uses patented Dolby® 3D glasses which are different to other 3D glasses designed for other technologies on the market.
They use a 3D technology which utilises non disposable high quality dichroic filters to allow 3D content to be exhibited to cinema audiences. It benefits from low levels of ‘Ghosting’ (a significant problem for competing systems) and accurate colour reproduction.
The glasses are environmentally friendly (unlike other systems which provide disposable glasses), comfortable and lightweight. Dolby® 3D glasses are available in two sizes: one for adults and teenagers, and one for smaller children.
What age group is The Giant Screen suitable for?
All films are subject to certification from the British Board of Film Classification. U & PG rated films are generally suitable for children aged 3 and above. If you are in any doubt, please check the content and certification of a film before taking young children.
Whilst some small children love the experience of watching a film on The Giant Screen, others can find it overwhelming. It is a very different experience to watching the same content at home on television, or even at a traditional cinema.
See Films and Film Classifications
3D and normal 2D films are shot and produced differently. If a film is not shot and/or produced in 3D it cannot be screened and experienced as a 3D movie.
Some of the films showing at The Giant Screen were only ever made as 2D films, so although our cinema can show 3D movies it does not mean all films can be screened in 3D.
3D films are always marked as such on our website and printed schedules - special glasses are required for viewing. If you are not sure if a film is 2D or 3D, ask our Ticket Office staff before buying a ticket.
I wear spectacles; can I still wear 3 glasses?
Yes, our 3D glasses are designed to fit over normal spectacles.
I have impaired vision; can I watch a 3D film?
If you are blind in one eye, you will still need to wear a pair of 3D glasses. As a result, your one ‘good’ eye will only see one of the projected images – otherwise the picture would look fuzzy. The image will not jump-out of the screen at you giving a true 3D effect.
If you have limited visual impairment in one or both eyes, then you will still see the full 3D effect, as long as you can see the images through both eyes.
Do I need to pre-book tickets?
We recommend that customers pre-book tickets before coming along to a screening. All seats within the auditorium are numbered, and customers can choose their seats when booking online or over the telephone. Tickets can be booked in advance or on the day of the performance via our website or by calling the Ticket Office on 0121 202 2222
No – all forms of filming and photography are strictly prohibited due to copyright laws.
Do you offer discounts for group bookings?
Yes – Concessionary rates apply for groups of ten people or more. We provide a coach drop off facility and free coach parking – subject to availability. Coach drivers are also entitled to free entry.
To book a group visit, please ring 0121 202 2244
Can the auditorium be hired out for private events and screenings?
Yes – for further information on private event hire, please call - 0121 202 2333 or email gill.allen@thinktank.ac
The Giant Screen at Millennium Point has the largest cinema screen in the Midlands. The projection system includes twin state-of-the-art Barco 4K digital projectors, paired with industry-leading Dolby Digital 3D technology.
