science

MX4D

MX4D is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand MX4D rather than just read about it. In short: MX4D is a 4D film presentation system developed by the American company MediaMation that allows a film to be augmented with environmental effects, such as motion, odors, and humidity. It uses theater seats which tilt forward, backward, and to the side in synchronization with onscreen motion, as well as air blasts, tactile effects, and other technology.

Key takeaways

MX4D belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect MX4D to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of MX4D from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

MX4D is a 4D film presentation system developed by the American company MediaMation that allows a film to be augmented with environmental effects, such as motion, odors, and humidity. It uses theater seats which tilt forward, backward, and to the side in synchronization with onscreen motion, as well as air blasts, tactile effects, and other technology.

History The system was commercially introduced with the release of Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters in 2013, where Mexico's Cinemex opened its first MX4D room in Santa Fe, Mexico City. On 6 May 2014, Cine Colombia opened its first MX4D theater, labeled as Dinamix 4D, in Barranquilla, Colombia at the Centro Comercial Buenavista mall, with the release of The Amazing Spider-Man 2. On 26 March 2014, MediaMation entered an agreement with Santa Rosa Entertainment to install the first MX4D systems in the United States. One was first used for the release of Transformers: Age of Extinction at the Plaza Cinema 14 theater in Oxnard, California on 27 June 2014. September 2018 Cineplexx Austria opened Austrias first MX4D system with 72 seats in the city of Graz. Diesel Cinemas followed one year later with an installation of 112 seats in the town of Gleisdorf. In 2017, B&B Theatres has opened their first MX4D theaters in Kansas, and has since expanded locations. In October 2019, B&B Theatres signed a deal with MediaMation to expand with 10 more locations.

Functionality All functions and effects of the system are driven by compressed air, which is stored in tanks at a pressure of 100-110psi/6.0-7.5bar. Each bench, consisting of 3 or 4 seats grouped together, is driven by 3 cylinders. Those cylinders are used for up/down, forward/backward and right/left movement. All the electronics and valves used for the effects are stored under each bench hidden by black leader, which also insures that no debris like popcorn gets onto the electronics. Each seat has the following functions:

3 small cylinders (called "Pokers"), 1 in the backrest and 2 in the seating surface to simulate tactile feedback like punches. 2 nozzles, one in each armrest, for water and air blasts and 2 air nozzles in the backrest to tickle the users neck. 2 vents for wind, one in each armrest driven by small laptoplike fans. A pair of canisters for scents (candy, coffee, fresh cut grass, chocolate, whiskey, smoke, dirt or engine exhaust fumes). Each movie comes with its own required set of scents, which need to be changed before a movie premieres. A thin hose to tickle the users lower legs, for effects like running through grass. A buttkicker for low rumble like felt in a car ride. There are other effects mounted throughout the auditorium:

A set of nozzles mounted under the ceiling for rain. A pair of strobe lights for lightning or gunshots. Snow and bubble machines. Vents under the screen connected to fog machines. The whole system can be controlled via a PC or tablet connected via W-LAN, to test or deactivate benches or certain effects. A test of all movements and effects is done by cinema employees before each day of screening to ensure all functions are working properly.

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with MX4D

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what MX4D claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to MX4D before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about MX4D ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of MX4D

In research: MX4D appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses MX4D in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: MX4D is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics 4D films, Film formats, Motion picture film formats, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for MX4D outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

Affiliate

Preply — study more efficiently by working with a personal tutor. 50% off.

How to study MX4D in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what MX4D means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain MX4D out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is MX4D in simple terms?

Why does MX4D matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study MX4D?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on MX4D.