I’ve been promising since June that I’ll post about what this format is on my blog, but I kept procrastinating. Now that I’ve watched 3 films on P[XL], and big blockbusters are on their way, I felt I should write it now so that you decide to experience Mission Mangal or Saaho or Batla House in this beautiful format!
Movies I’ve watched on P[XL]:
1. Men in Black: International (PVR ECX Mall of India Noida; Lounger)
2. Super 30 (PVR ECX Mall of India Noida; Lounger)
3. The Lion King (PVR ECX Mall of India Noida; Lounger)
4. Street Dancer 3D (PVR ECX Mall of India Noida; Lounger)
5. Shubh Mangal Zyaada Saavdhan (PVR ECX Mall of India Noida; Classic)
![PVR P[XL]](https://aarnavg17.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/maxresdefault.jpg?w=1024)
So, let’s talk about it now!
P[XL] is a new brand that PVR has started, which is priced as much as a normal theatre, but gives you a more immersive experience. It uses a laser projector, so the image is quite clear, and it uses Dolby Atmos sounds, so even the sound surrounding is great! But they’re not what I love the most about this screen – to the extent that I’ll be going here for almost all movies whenever I’m in Delhi.
![PVR P[XL] Screen](https://aarnavg17.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/du7tvn0uwaetwz3.jpg?w=1024)
P[XL] has a LARGE screen, almost as big as a Digital IMAX screen. Moreover, it’s significantly curved, and covering the whole front wall – just like an IMAX theatre. So, it covers your entire view with the picture, keeping you off from any distractions – like the wall. In most of the theatres you go to for a regular format, you would find the screen to be placed at the centre of the wall, but large parts of the wall left uncovered. Sometimes, there’s even a large platform below the screen. These often act as distractions while watching the movie (something you wouldn’t realise until you’ve been to IMAX or P[XL]. There’s no scope for this in P[XL]. But, be warned, they use the 2.35:1 aspect ratio, the one most films use, so you don’t get to see the 26% extra picture that IMAX offers.
![PVR P[XL] Seating](https://aarnavg17.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/26169955_10155155707771546_1203443813446360478_n.jpg)
Second, with P[XL], PVR offers variety of seating options,with Lounger seats at the bottom (front row), classic and prime seats like in normal theatres, and 2 rows of recliner at the top. My favorite among these is the Lounger at the bottom. I know, I sound insane when I say you should go for the front row, all the neck pain! But, no, since the screen covers the whole wall, it means from the floor to the ceiling. And, the loungers are placed at an appropriate distance, giving the best immersive experience. Moreover, they cost around 300 bucks, just as much as a regular seat. Or you can go for the classic for the best view. Whereas, the recliners at the top don’t offer as wide a viewing angle, and cost around 1000 bucks. The closer to the screen you are, the better your view will be in this case.
Third, unlike IMAX/4DX/MX4D which play selected movies, P[XL] plays all major releases, both Bollywood & Hollywood, simply because there is no special format the movie has to be in. It’s more about the interiors of the hall, than the movie. Whereas, certain movies are specially formatted for IMAX, 4DX or MX4D. But, the drawback is that they’ll stay there only for a week – that too if it’s doing good. Every friday there’s a big movie releasing, which also needs its screen.
Last, there’s service on seat using the button provided on your arm rest. In my experience, they didn’t come to me. But, they walk around in the hall a lot, which gets really annoying. Do a little effort yourself maybe, I guess?
Once you’ve been to P[XL], I assure you you’d return there for the next movie you decide to watch too – in that front row. Though, if you’ve an option to watch a movie in IMAX 3D, go there, I’ll always prefer it over other formats. But for 2D movies, P[XL] it is!
Source:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBOjfoMMkj0
2. https://www.pvrcinemas.com/pvr/pxl
Also Read:
IMAX or 4DX – Helps you decide between the two popular formats!
https://aarnavg17.wordpress.com/2019/04/20/imax-or-4dx/
Experience in PVR Playhouse
http://bit.ly/playhouseinstagramhighlight
The IMAX Difference
http://bit.ly/theimaxdifferencefb
Comparison between 4DX in PVR ECX Mall of India Noida & PVR Logix Noida
http://bit.ly/4dxlogixvmoi
Aarnav's Blog 
Tenet is shot in IMAX. Which one would be better, INOX IMAX or PVR PXL for Tenet? I need to book the tickets soon 🙂
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The ONLY correct way to watch Tenet is IMAX. Go for INOX IMAX without ANY SECOND thoughts.
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Thanks for the prompt response. That clears out a lot of ambiguity in my mind. I’ve been eagerly waiting for Tenet and am thinking a lot about which one to book. Been to Inox IMAX(RMZ in Yelahanka, Bangalore) – it was really good but not great; the screen size is only a little larger than regular screens. Never been to PXL, so I was wondering if PXL’s experience would be better.
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There are many PVR IMAX-s too in Bangalore. Maybe check those out. But for Tenet, whatever happens, go to an IMAX. The movie is shot on that ratio.
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Thanks for the prompt response. That clears out a lot of ambiguity in my mind. I’ve been eagerly waiting for Tenet and am thinking a lot about which one to book. Been to Inox IMAX(RMZ in Yelahanka, Bangalore) – it was really good but not great; the screen size is only a little larger than regular screens. Never been to PXL, so I was wondering if PXL’s experience would be better.
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They screened lion King in what aspect ratio?
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Hi. That’s a really great explanation you’ve given. Thanks a lot for this article!
Although, I wanted to ask that, as an avid movie-goer, since there are a variety of formats to watch a movie in, and since you’ve covered most of the formats in your blog, there is also another format known as “Onyx” which projects movies via “LED Screen”.
Although the screen size is small, but it doesn’t compromise on the picture quality as I found it to be fantastic.
But on the other hand, since you have mentioned about “PVR P(XL)”, and that it has a big screen and great audio and video quality due to Dolby Atmos and that RGB Projection, so I was confused as to which one, out of the two, is the best format for watching a movie, regardless of it being a Hollywood or Bollywood movie, or its its format being either 2D or 3D or even IMAX also, for that matter.
Looking forward to your answer on this.
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I’ve been planning on visiting Onyx since the day it opened, but it’s too far from my place and I just ain’t able to go there.
Here’s my article about 4dx & Imax: https://aarnavg17.wordpress.com/2019/04/20/imax-or-4dx/
If you’ve to choose IMAX vs P[XL], check these 2 things:
– Is that movie listed on official IMAX website? If no, go to P[XL].
– Does IMAX YouTube channel says that this movie will have 26% extra picture? If yes, go to IMAX.
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All right. Thanks a lot for your quick response.
One more question, I wanted to ask that does it make sense to watch a non-IMAX movie in an IMAX theater? Like most of the Bollywood films nowadays play in an IMAX screen when they aren’t formatted in that, apart from some exceptions like Saaho, Thugs Of Hindostan which were especially formatted in that format.
And also, according to you, which are the “best seats” to pick in a theatre. Like I’ve heard that the seats in the “middle row” are usually the best.
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No, it does not make sense. They are played in IMAX theatre by PVR mostly because they have more demand for screens than the recent official IMAX release. Infact, if you go and watch those in an IMAX theatre, there will be a disclaimer from PVR before the movie that it is not an official IMAX preview.
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Thank you so much!! This clarification was hugely helpful!!
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About seats, it largely depends on the theatre, and the seatings designed. For P[XL], as I mentioned in the article, I’d prefer the bottom lounger seats (though this option isn’t there in the new P[XL] in Greater Noida). Whereas, in IMAX or any screen that used to be IMAX, be as towards centre as you can. Centre in terms of left-right AND top-bottom. Same for 4DX/MX4D. Though, in IMAX it doesn’t really matter a lot which seat you choose. It’s always a pleasant experience. Note that PVR/INOX etc can NOT control the seating structure in an IMAX theatre.
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All right. Yes, I also had the same thought regarding IMAX theatres, that it doesn’t make much of a difference regarding which seats to pick.
However, I agree and would admit that the seats in the centre are truly the best as it makes no sense to choose seats at the back at all which are usually booked at large!
Once again, thank you so much for all of your responses! Will look forward to more of your articles regarding this topic and others.
P.S: I may be constantly bothering you with this topic but I just heard of a new version of IMAX called “IMAX with Laser” which has been launched in Delhi and Mumbai recently.
No need to reply to this, if found unnecessary but if you would experience any movie in this format or in “Onyx” (as discussed above), will look forward to your article on this whenever you might write about it! 🙂
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There are 3 types of IMAX:
– Digital (One which you must’ve visited)
– Laser (The new one, not much available yet.)
– 70 mm (Best, but almost finished.)
I have only watched the Digital IMAX yet, but now that Laser is in India, I guess I’ll watch it soon someday, *hopefully*
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😯😯😯😯
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I never knew about this actually. I’ve been living under a rock I guess. 😂 But this sounds fun and interesting. Will definitely give it a try
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Hahahaha. Do give it a try. I’m really not going anywhere except this or IMAX in Delhi NCR again. Unless someone gives me free tickets. 😛
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😋😋😋
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