IMAX's proprietary digital remastering tools (DMR) allow filmmakers to customize and clean their images to the precise level of noise and grain so films look pristine on the IMAX screen.
'Shot for IMAX' movies are also captured using specialised cameras, which offer more resolution and hence, visual detail, something we all can appreciate in the movies. That's not all, IMAX also brings a superior sound experience.
You're also literally seeing more of the movie thanks to the aspect ratio. 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.
IMAX's proprietary state-of-the-art projection system produces up to 50 percent more brightness and 30 percent greater contrast then standard cinemas to deliver life-like, crystal-clear images and unrivaled 3D brightness and clarity.
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.
Oppenheimer IMAX 70mm Explained | Oppenheimer in IMAX worth it? | Shot with IMAX Film Cameras
Do you wear glasses for IMAX?
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.
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.
Is there a big difference between standard and IMAX?
What to know: True IMAX is generally considered to be shot on IMAX cameras using specialized 70mm film (which allows for much higher resolution than for most movies), projected onto an enormous screen with an aspect ratio of 1.43:1 (far larger and more squarish than you're probably used to).
Here are some key distinctions: Screen Size: Real IMAX theaters feature a significantly larger screen compared to traditional movie theaters. A genuine IMAX screen can reach up to 72 feet (22 meters) in width, providing an expansive and immersive viewing experience.
The aim of IMAX is immersion: they aim to fill your vision, including peripheral vision with picture and create an immersive experience. 4k is just a resolution of the traditional cinema wide-screen picture. 4k is adequate for big screen presentation, although 8k would be better.
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.
IMAX theatres are outfitted with larger screens, creating a truly immersive experience. With the IMAX expanded aspect ratio on select titles, you can see up to 26% more picture, only in IMAX. IMAX handcrafts and digitally remasters films, so you see a perfect execution of the director's vision.
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.
The IMAX Experience is as unique and powerful as the technology behind it. With images of immense size and striking clarity, sound so clear and deep you can feel it. Giant screens that immerse you in new worlds, and specially designed theatres that transport you there.
It's a motion picture film format that offers a top-tier cinematic journey for your senses. It pushes the boundaries of storytelling and allows you to view the picture in detail, listen to crisp sound, and feel the action—it's watching blockbusters onscreen but 100x better!
IMAX theatres create a more immersive viewing experience with the massive screen, which delivers up to 40 per cent more imagery due to its high-resolution 3D technology. The IMAX theatre itself is also designed with steep seating to allow for an unobstructed view of the screen from any place.
The average IMAX screen size is approximately 72' x 50' (22m x 16m), which is significantly larger than traditional movie screens of approximately 50' x 20' (16m x 6.1m). Is IMAX worth it? Yes, it is absolutely worth the price of admission. It's the biggest screen with the best quality.
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.
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.
As we've established, the front row of an IMAX isn't great due to the giant screen. You'll be craning your neck and looking left and right to get everything in – it's not comfortable. Some go to the other extreme and go for the back row.
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.
IMAX 3D technology provides a number of benefits over traditional 3D movies. For example, IMAX 3D movies have a higher resolution and image quality, and the IMAX screens are much larger than standard movie screens.
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.
