Carmike Cinemas has opened another big-screen concept  auditorium they call "The BigD Experience" at the Carmike Riverstone 15 in Canton, Georgia. This is Carmike's third "BigD" installation, after their first in July 2010 at the Carmike 15 in Columbus, Georgia and most recently, the Carmike Thoroughbred 20 in Franklin, Tennessee (Read Journal article). Carmike is following the trail blazed by pioneer IMAX and early settlers Marcus Theatres, AMC, Cinemark, and others.

The new auditorium opened December 17, 2010 with showings of Tron Legacy in Disney Digital 3D, providing audiences with a larger screen, an upgraded sound system, and luxurious seating. The screen measures 78 feet wide and "over three stories tall" which should amount to about 30 feet. The sound system is capable of 7.1 channels coming from the digital cinema projection setup, which can present 2D and 3D features. Six 21-inch subwoofers help with the low-end rumble and boom.

Along with the Bigger Picture Comes a Bigger Ticket Price

As is the custom with the other big-screen offerings out there, Carmike will be asking for more of your money when you want to see a movie in a "BigD" auditorium. According to their ticketing information, they are adding a $2 surcharge onto the price of adult and child tickets, which isn't as much as some of the other bigscreen offerings. Whether that upcharge is worth it is going to be a matter of personal experience, at least until the Reader Comments start rolling in.

If you've seen a movie in a "BigD Experience" auditorium, what did you think? Was it worth the hype, much less the ticket upcharge? How does it compare to IMAX in your opinion? Leave your comments below!

More BigD Locations Coming

Carmike plans more "BigD Experience" locations by the end of 2011, but no locations were specifed in the press release. Their web site does mention that the Carmike Majestic 12 in Chattanooga, Tennessee is next in line for "The BigD Experience."

Carmike Cinemas owns and/or operates 240 locations in 36 states.

Source: Carmike Press Release