Since almost a century ago, drive-in theaters have offered moviegoers a distinctive option to take in a film from the comfort of their vehicles. The 1980s saw the emergence of multiplex cinemas, which resulted in the demise of drive-ins, which were once commonplace throughout the United States. Drive-in cinemas, however, have seen a rise in popularity recently as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the demand for socially isolating entertainment alternatives. But in 2021, how many drive-in theaters will there still be in the US?
There are now 305 drive-in theaters open in the United States, according to the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association (UDITOA). When compared to the 1950s and 1960s, when the number of drive-ins peaked at nearly 4,000, this figure represents a substantial decline. But there are now more cinemas open for business because to the recent comeback of drive-ins. Only 305 drive-ins existed in 2019, which was the same as in 2021.
There are a few different alternatives regarding the kind of fabric to use when setting up a projector screen for a drive-in theater. Vinyl, polyester, and spandex are the materials that drive-in screens are most frequently made of. Each material has benefits and drawbacks of its own. Although vinyl is strong and resistant to the elements, cleaning it can be challenging. Although polyester is portable and lightweight, it might not hold up as well in windy circumstances. Although elastic and simple to put up, spandex might not be as long-lasting as other materials.
The screen material used in conventional movie theaters is normally made of vinyl. The high contrast white of this material contributes to the brightness and vibrancy of the projected image. with addition, theater screens are frequently covered with a unique reflective substance that aids in reflecting the projector’s light back towards the audience, producing a brighter and clearer image.
Although they are both well-liked premium movie theater experiences, Cinemark XD and IMAX are not the same thing. Cinemark Holdings, Inc. owns the premium large-format cinema brand Cinemark XD. XD screens offer better sound and picture quality and are often larger than normal screens. On the other hand, IMAX is a business that focuses on producing and displaying movies in large-format theaters. The size of IMAX displays is significantly greater than that of XD screens, and they provide even better sound and visual quality.
Even though many movie theaters have HD projection systems now, not all of them are set up to show HDR (High Dynamic Range) content. A greater variety of colors and brightness levels are possible with HDR technology, creating a more realistic and immersive viewing experience. But not all movies are made in HDR, and not all movie theaters have the technology to show HDR content. If HDR content is essential to you, it is crucial to find out from your local theater if they can display it.
In conclusion, even though the number of drive-in cinemas in the US has substantially decreased since reaching a peak in the 1950s and 1960s, there are still over 300 of them functioning in the nation at present. Vinyl, polyester, and spandex are all frequently utilized materials when constructing a projection screen for a drive-in theater. To improve the projected image, traditional movie theaters often utilize vinyl screens that have been coated with a particular reflective substance. Although both Cinemark XD and IMAX are first-rate moviegoing experiences, they have various features. Last but not least, not every movie theater has the technology to show HDR content, so it’s crucial to verify with your local theater if this is something you care about.