Where most movie theater screens are 16:9, a widescreen format that tends to cut off the top and bottom of the frame, IMAX is 1.43:1, more closely representing a square that allows for a larger picture from top to bottom. To get that ratio, you first need IMAX-designed cameras, film, and projectors.
The IMAX cinema process increases the image resolution by using a larger film frame; in relative terms, a frame of IMAX format film has three times the theoretical horizontal resolution of a frame of 35 mm film.
In normal film projection theatres, a 35 mm or a 70 mm film is run vertically to project on the screen. In the IMAX format, the images that can be produced on the screen can be 8.3 times as large as the regular 35 mm film or 3.4 times as large as the regular 70 mm film.
Only in IMAX theatres will sequences shot with IMAX film cameras expand vertically to fill the entire screen. In IMAX theatres featuring 15 perf / 70mm film, these scenes will expand images up to a 1.43:1 aspect ratio. Experience Oppenheimer in IMAX 70mm Film only at the select locations listed below.
What is the difference between IMAX and regular movie screen?
The screen is massive and specifically tall, built to fit the unique way the movie is shot. It can be up to 40% larger than a standard movie screen. The seats are angled to open your field of view an average to 70 degrees, while speakers are positioned to immerse you in sound.
Renowned director Christopher Nolan prefers to sit near the front, in the middle of the third row for cinemascope ratio, and slightly behind the center line for IMAX theaters. Experts suggest sitting in the center of the room, aligned with the screen, to centralize your field of vision and prevent strain.
Some IMAX theaters do use traditional 3D with smaller glasses, so you'll want to contact your local IMAX theaters to see whether they use the larger glasses or not. For many people who wear glasses, bigger truly is better. Forget about those cheap plastic glasses the theater provides you.
Is it better to watch a movie in IMAX or standard?
However, IMAX (“Maximum Image”) brags about its expanded aspect ratio which is 1:90:1. IMAX's most familiar marketing slogan states that this ratio offers up to 26 more picture for selected sequences – meaning more of the action is visible on screen.
IMAX is designed to fill one's field of vision and engulf one in cinematic surround sound so powerful it is almost tangible. The screen is several times larger than a standard theater screen and is slightly curved with seats angled, allowing audience to have an unobstructed view of the movie screening.
With stimulating effects like water, wind, scent and strobe lighting that are timed to enhance what's happening on screen, you'll be truly thrilled in your seat. And speaking of your seat – it moves.
Some say in the central block in the center row – and while that may be optimal for audio from my experience in most IMAX theatres, that is still too close to the screen. I prefer around two-thirds from the front, bang in the middle.
We talked a lot about the quality, but what makes IMAX stand out is the projection. The standard uses 70 mm film run through the projector horizontally. This technique produces an area that is about 8.3 times as large as the 35mm film, and around 3.4 times as large as 70 mm film run through the projector vertically.
For IMAX there is only one ticket price and for RealD there is the standard ticket price plus the mandatory 3D surcharge. It all amounts to the same thing: you buy a 3D ticket and you get glasses. They are provided at the theater but are turned in at the end of the show.
RealD 3D projectors like Sony's 4K Digital Cinema models use a special lens to project 3D visuals giving viewers four times the resolution of full-HD 1080p. Imax Digital 3D theaters, on the other hand, use Christie 2K dual-projector systems which give the same resolution as full-HD.
The large scale of the IMAX experience and the duration of films are likely to overstimulate and unsettle babies and small children. For this reason, we strongly recommend that children aged 5 and under do not attend screenings of films designed for adult audiences.
I wouldn't recommend it since you'll have to strain your neck to look up. The screen is large and tall so it's difficult to see from the first few rows. You can still watch the movie fine; it just may be slightly uncomfortable.
Whilst it is expensive, I'm really glad I booked premium seating. I was the only person in the row which made it very personal and comfortable. I saw Beauty and the Beast and it was nice to see it in 3D on the large screen.
A typical IMAX screen is 16 meters high by 22 meters wide (approximately 52 by 72 feet), but they can be much larger. The largest IMAX screen is 30 meters (98 feet) high. Imagine standing next to an eight-story apartment building that is wider than it is tall.
And that's where the added power of the 70 mm IMAX format, which offers more than four times the resolution of the best commercial digital projection, really comes in.
On the other hand, IMAX claims that their sound system can produce up to 120 decibels of sound. While this is slightly lower than Dolby, it is still incredibly loud and can cause hearing damage if listened to for extended periods of time.
