Related Sections: Miscellaneous
Terminator movie gets motion-activated theater seats, giving new meaning to the term 'movie'
The next Terminator movie debuts tomorrow, and along with it, a new theater gimmick: moving seats. At a theater that will be showing Terminator Salvation in Bloomington, Minnesota's Mall of America, special seats will shake up startled moviegoers using patented D-BOX Motion Code to make them move along with the movie:
Each seat moves "in perfect sync" with the onscreen action; creating an unmatched immersive experience. With its unique, patented technology, D-BOX Motion Code uses programmed motion effects embedded and specially programmed for each film, which are sent to a motion generating system integrated in a platform or a seat. While audience members will experience motion during action sequences, the seats will remain still during quieter scenes. It also comes equipped with adjustable settings so individuals can customize the experience.
It's only the fourth such theater in the U.S. outfitted for such kooky hijinks. We've tried some of these moving-along-with-the movie thrill rides before, emerging with an acute case of carsickness. Let's hope this iteration of that goofy idea is better executed. Is there no length to which theatermongers won't go to entice viewers way from their cushy home theaters?
Press Release, via Coolest Gadgets
By Gorastus at 2:36 PM ON 05/20/09
D-Box has been around quite a while. This ain't news. Perhaps you should attend CEDIA.
By captnzro at 5:04 PM ON 05/20/09
umm......this was new 15 years ago....
By RicardoWilliams at 5:48 PM ON 05/20/09
wow, i dont know how i feel about this
By Johnny at 9:51 PM ON 05/20/09
ill just be downloading it for free and ill move around in my seat as i see fit lol
By Woodwater at 9:56 PM ON 05/20/09
I used to work for D-BOX. I quit because they paid their programmers dirt.
BUT, I have to say, when the movie is programmed by one of the veterans. It is a VERY enjoyable ride. It really adds to a movie. Think of it as an extra dimension. The good programmers just don't put any movements all over the place. They'll follow camera movements and can be quite subtle at times.
That being said, the price they sell it for is ridiculous.
Cheers.
By Renegade at 10:53 PM ON 05/20/09
Thank you Woodwater for sharing, your experience sounds like it would make a good article for 2600 magazine.
By IsoTek at 12:27 AM ON 05/21/09
Gee, well at least it is a step up from Sensurround. If movies were just written, acted and produced better, there would be no need for these gimmicks to keep people coming to the movies.
By DarkHouse at 1:13 AM ON 05/21/09
just give me a holodeck and leave me alone.
By dddd at 7:37 AM ON 05/21/09
such a great Motion Activated Seats really great blog, I love it
By Eric Blade at 5:00 PM ON 05/22/09
Hm. Interesting. So, how does this really improve your experience? Moving around seems a bit distracting, really.
By grinningevild at 6:39 PM ON 05/22/09
popcorn and soda anyone?
By Mark Dowes at 4:46 AM ON 05/23/09
You STRANGE commenting people.
This is more valid as news than most the crap I see reported.
They installing it for the movie at that cinema. That the news. Good for them.
Nowhere does the article mention "newness".
Short, sweet, to the point, and accurate.
Good article!
By T4 at 8:07 AM ON 05/23/09
Shouldn't we at least give it a go before commenting? When you think about it everything moves around you. If done right, I can certainly see this enhancing the experience.
on your cellphone!
Text DVICE to 72434
editor@dvice.com
T4:
Shouldn't we at least give it a go before commenting? When you think about it everything moves around you. If don...More »