P3D IMAX LCS glasses really Polaroid glasses!?!

[jacob@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Gabriel Jacob)]

In my last post I mentioned I went to see the Nutcracker with
a fellow out of towner P3D member (Hi Wladdd!). As some of you
might know by now, we are blessed with two different Imax
theatres in the Montreal area. One uses Polaroid glasses and the
newer one, LCS glasses. Having seen a few Polaroid versions and
my second LCS version recently, I was kind of surprised while
watching the movie that the supposed LCS glasses were anything but.

Let me explain, yes they were LCS glasses but I really don't
think they were functioning as LCS glasses but rather Polaroid
glasses! The first time I had seen an Imax 3D movie (using the
LCS glasses), I could detect the slight flicker of the glasses.
I checked to see if they were also polarized and indeed they
were. This of course is inherent in liquid crytal displays and
glasses and not intended for 3D effects normally.

Anyways, what caught me by surprise at the recent Nutcracker
movie was that even though the attendants had told us to check
the headsets battery indicator, to make sure the batteries
were good, they weren't even needed!!! This was because while
the movie was playing the LCS glasses were inoperative and 
were using normal polaroid projection in this particular case.

Now I didn't really mind, but I thought it rather funny that
they had us check the batteries, since they could have just as
easily supplied us with cheaper (for them) polaroid glasses, 
and much more comfortable for the audience.  
 
I do remember something on P3D, that the LCS versions also
use polarization in conjuction. It seems the Imax glasses
are cross polarized unlike normal LCS glasses for computer
displays, which have the same orientation. I don't think
polaroid glasses would work with the LCS movies versions
but LCS glasses can work with movies using soley polarized
projection, as was the case above.

Gabriel


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