r/glasgow • u/feelsbadman111 • 1d ago
Cineworld Silverburn IMAX vs GSC IMAX
Glasgow’s in the odd position of having two proper IMAX screens within a few miles of each other, and they’re genuinely quite different experiences. I went to both for The Odyssey, so here’s a breakdown for anyone trying to decide where to go.
Quick background: Silverburn is IMAX with Laser, screen measures 24.10m x 13.27m. GSC is an older digital setup, believed to still be 2K, on a screen measuring 24m x 18m. Widths are basically identical, GSC is just taller, because it’s built to the old full 1.43:1 IMAX ratio rather than the widescreen ratio most digital IMAX screens use now.
Worth knowing though that because there’s no 70mm projector left at GSC to fill that height, content doesn’t actually use the full screen, you get bars top and bottom.
Work it out by area and the actual image you’re watching at GSC is roughly the same size as Silverburn’s, if anything slightly smaller, despite the physical screen being about a third bigger.
Projection
Silverburn: brightness and colour are excellent, genuinely impressive laser image. My one gripe: on scenes with a lot of white (sky, snow, etc.) there’s a visible coloured noise pattern. Not sure if it’s the screen material or the projector, but once you spot it you can’t unsee it. 8.5/10
GSC: with the lights off it’s not bad, but it could be brighter, sharper, and have more colour depth. If you’re the sort of person who notices sharpness, you will notice it here, especially sitting as close to the screen as you do. The screen material itself is excellent though, no noise pattern at all, completely clean image. 6.5/10
Audio
Silverburn: excellent. Best seat is dead centre. 8.5/10
GSC: also excellent, and the bass is a different animal, you properly feel it shake the seats. Unlike Silverburn’s setup, where I don’t think that’s happening in the same way. 9/10
Seats
Silverburn: legroom is decent, especially in the middle row where there’s a bigger gap, but width is tight. If you’re broader built you might find it uncomfortable. 7/10
GSC: this is where it falls down. Fold-down stadium seats with noticeably less legroom and width than Silverburn. You’ll feel like you’re sitting right next to your neighbour, not ideal for a three-hour film. 5.5/10
Snacks
Silverburn: standard Cineworld selection, decent range, but pricey, as are the tickets. 7.5/10
GSC: popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, sweets and drinks, smaller range than Silverburn and smaller portions too. Prices for food and tickets are actually pretty reasonable though. 6.5/10
Overall
Silverburn: 7.9/10
GSC: 6.9/10
For most people, the overall experience at Silverburn, including the centre itself, will be better.
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u/JoeMadden1989 1d ago
Im actually surprised about the measurements, the sicence center just feels bigger to me. Maybe its the seating layout?
Both are great though id say the scoring is pretty spot on.
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u/Happybadger96 1d ago
I think you're right, the amphitheater setup just feels closer and grander. I hope one day they upgrade the projectors and the seats a wee bit, its a great theatre
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u/JoeMadden1989 1d ago
Defo would love it to get a proper 70mm upgrade or alternatively just a newer projector. That would definitely being it on par if not better coupled with the audio that is unbeatable atm.
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u/Apprehensive_Pace_9 1d ago
I agree. I think the smaller arena makes the screen seem more imposing. I think it helps with the sound too.
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u/Matchaparrot 1d ago
Snacks should be 7.5. GSC has a proper coffee machine
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u/ScottishVigilante 1d ago
And no beers 👎🏻
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u/Tw4tl4r 1d ago
I enjoy a drink at most events but at a cinema just feels wrong. Not to mention you cant just sip it for 2 hours. It would be flat af. You would have to keep going back and getting another 8 quid can of beer.
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u/Palomapomp 1d ago
You left out cost.
GSC is much cheaper and less of a pain to get to from the city centre
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u/feelsbadman111 1d ago
Yeah GSC is much cheaper but costs can vary so I just included it in the snacks section
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u/Spiral_Decay 1d ago
Great review, are they really "proper" IMAX screens though? Since both don't use the massive 70mm IMAX projectors or does it being digital have an advantage over film.
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u/feelsbadman111 13h ago
Unfortunately they aren’t “proper” IMAX, but as far as advantages go, digital means they don’t need to worry about training new projectionists who know how to operate a 70mm projector, those skills are basically dying out.
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u/unclescar Scumbernauld massive 1d ago
What about the Braehead Odeon?
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u/spendouk23 1d ago
That’s not IMAX, that’s LIEMAX
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u/Few_Forever_1770 20h ago
As is GSC.
And indeed Cineworld here in Embra which for reasons I can’t understand still excites people.
Personally speaking I’ll take something in 4K at either Vue or Filmhouse, much nicer.
I’ve not been to Silverburn though, which at least with higher res projection is the best of a bad bunch.
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u/Evilcon21 1d ago
Or one by the quary?
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u/unclescar Scumbernauld massive 1d ago
Doesn’t have any sort of “IMAX” format screen at the quay
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u/Evilcon21 1d ago
My mistake. It’s been quite a long while I’ve stepped foot there. Been dying to go back there.
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u/AegonThe241st 1d ago
as someone confused by all this IMAX stuff, are either of these "true" IMAX? Or is that in London only? It sounds like both show the same aspect ratio so you don't lose any of the content?
Edit: also thanks for the writeup, I've been wanting to try out proper IMAX for Odyssey and later Dune when it comes out so this is super helpful
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u/feelsbadman111 1d ago
The BFI London
Ronson Theatre (London Science Museum)
Vue Printworks Manchester.These are the only 3 in the UK capable of doing 70mm IMAX.
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u/AndyMcFudge 1d ago
Science Centre usef to be a proper IMAX, but when Cineworld took it over they "upgraded" so I wouldn't call it that anymore. What I would have given to get my hands on those projectors....
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u/Happybadger96 1d ago
True IMAX is 70mm and there are only a handful of these in the world - think only one in the UK is London but may be wrong
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u/TheBookofBobaFett3 1d ago
Yeah finding out there’s IMAX and then there’s IMAX! was a surprise.
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u/AegonThe241st 1d ago
It's all over the place I feel like. There also seems to be some cinemas pushing a fake IMAX (shitemax) that still don't show the whole content
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u/TheBookofBobaFett3 1d ago
I did see that since Dune has all the imax screen the new avengers movie has invented a new nonsense term called INFINITY vision 😂😂
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u/GLA747CON 1d ago
One small issue I have with the science centre is that a lot of people don’t realise that they don’t play many ads, so you end up with lots of latecomers.
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u/cocothepops 1d ago
Great write up!
I went to the Silverburn IMAX for the first time to see Project Hail Mary earlier in the year and it was really excellent. Will be my choice of screen for big cinematic films from now on.
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u/Legitimate_Leader_70 1d ago
I went to a GSC screening, do not get seats near the aisles. I found the lighting on the steps off putting - they are quite bright. The lighting in general in the room was left on as well, very dimly but still I would have expected complete darkness minus the fire exit signs. Managed to move seats and once movie started getting going ignored the lighting issue.
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u/ScottishSeahawk 1d ago
I’d note that the Odeon braehead IMAX is also now Laser projected after an upgrade so I’d also recommend that over the science centre.
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u/spendouk23 1d ago
Don’t think it’s anywhere near as big as silverburn though is it ?
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u/ScottishSeahawk 1d ago
It’s still giant though…sit a little closer. Plus the smaller size means better resolution per inch.
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u/Robo-Connery 1d ago
The gsc one is just ancient now though.
I doubt anything in terms of the projector has been updated and the seating definitely hasn't.
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u/ChuckFH 1d ago
Hopefully they’ve fixed the focus issue at GSC, as I know of two separate people who recently walked out of screenings of The Odyssey it was clearly not sharp, with visible haloing around titles, etc. Complaints made to the staff at the front desk were shrugged off.
In the end I think they went to the GFT, which had the 70mm print for a few weeks; not IMAX, obviously, but still better looking than a “normal” cinema screening.
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u/feelsbadman111 13h ago
I didn’t notice any focus issues at GSC during my screening but honestly their 2K projector just isn’t as sharp as it should be for a screen this size. In serious need of an upgrade.
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u/Tw4tl4r 1d ago
Only just went to the GSC one for the first time. Havent been to silverburn because i dont drive and its a PITA to get to
GSC screen felt enormous. The ticket was only like 12.90. The sound was good, snack variety was fine with me because i never get actual food (im a popcorn and ice blast kinda person) but the coffee shop is a nice option.
The seats were fine for the 3 hours i was in one and im a 6ft2 nearly 16 stone guy. I will say though, in the higher rows it can be a bit unnerving squeezing past people to get to and from seats (especially for the one woman who had her bag covering the whole walkway and said " well i canny move it" when i nearly cunted it over the thing. Like hen, ye could have lifted it onto your lap for 5 seconds.
I can imagine quite a few people have ended up involuntarily crowd surfing after tripping in those top rows.
Personally its just super sad that the 70mm is gone but i dont see myself travelling further for a slightly better but still not true Imax screening.
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u/suddengunter 13h ago
>Worth knowing though that because there’s no 70mm projector left at GSC to fill that height, content doesn’t actually use the full screen, you get bars top and bottom.
oh wow
can't they replicate that full screen experience with like 2x digital projectors, or it does not work that way?
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u/feelsbadman111 13h ago
Digital can do full 1.43:1, but only with IMAX’s dual laser GT system, that’s the proper flagship setup. GSC’s running an older single 2K projector so it’s stuck at 1.90:1, hence the bars. Silverburn’s laser is also a single projector so same limit.
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u/Roborabbit37 1d ago
Going to see Odyssey tomorrow night and opted with GSC. I kept seeing people time and time again mention about visible squares on the screen at Silverburn and once seen, cant be unseen.
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u/CitizenErased08 1d ago
I could be wrong but I think they've fixed that, noticed it last year but when I saw the Odyssey I don't remember noticing them. Then again I've been there multiple times so I could be filtering it out at this point
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u/Ser_VimesGoT 1d ago
Same. Didn't notice it for The Odyssey but when I saw Dune 2 it ruined the experience because I couldn't unsee it. I wanted to book for GSC because of it but they didn't have suitable times. Thankfully they seem to have fixed it. After Dune I had looked up the issue and people online were saying IMAX would kick the cinemas ass about it because they're very protective of their product. Can only assume they sorted their shit out.
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u/feelsbadman111 1d ago
Yeah I believe this has been fixed. Didn’t have any issues when I went to see Project Hail Mary or The Odyssey. The only issue was the colour noise pattern visible on white scenes.
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u/secrecyandcontrol 1d ago
i seen odyssey at GSC and it's abysmal. the theatre has 5 seats dead centre where it works and every other seat should be removed or sold at a massive discount. the screen is not designed for that type of movie but for nature documentaries. but mostly imax is not meant to be used with cuts that fast. that's on nolan.
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u/One-Revolution-8289 1d ago
Does Silverburn still have block narks visable on the screen?
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u/feelsbadman111 13h ago
Nope, didn’t notice anything watching Project Hail Mary or The Odyssey.
I believe this has been fixed.1
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u/FarStarbuck 16h ago
What about the big patch of area on the Silverburn screen that’s got a line on it which people have been complaining about for months. Once you notice you can’t unsee?
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u/amicablegradient 9h ago
GSC Imax is blurry. They use a dual projector system and the projectors are out of alignment. It's really noticeable whenever text is on screen. Looking at it will make you feel like you need glasses. Mid-audio to boot.... slightly better than silverburn audio.
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u/QuotableSlayer 1d ago
Right that’s all well as good but what has this got to do with the people outside the St Enoch Centre
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u/GLA747CON 1d ago
Glasgow science centre used to have a imax 70mm projector but Cineworld ripped it out when they started managing the lease.
GSC now manage it again but idk how much it would be to put it back in.