IMAX

 IMAX

- is a company that has its own line of high-resolution equipment (e.g. cameras, projectors etc.) with its name referring to the film format. Speakers are usually placed behind the screen and the seating plan is so that the viewer is always facing the taller screen face-first no matter where in the cinema hall they are located.

Characteristics:

• 12k resolution
• film is run through the camera and projector horizontally rather than vertically
• heavy cameras, massive film stock and projectors
• perfectly tuned sound
• two projectors run the film (for the image to be the highest quality)
• up to 40% bigger image than usual

History summary:

IMAX = image maximum - the abbreviation sums up the main goal of its original founder, which is the Multiscreen Corporation. In 1978 Washington became the debut of the first IMAX theatre, since when it turned into an independent venue. The turning point in IMAX history was when Disney made a special engagement out of "Fantasia 2000", playing it exclusively at IMAX theatres from the 1st of January to 30th of April, 2000. Since then the theatre has started becoming more and more famous, streaming such blockbusters like "Matrix Revolutions", "Harry Potter", "Batman Begins" etc.

Competition:

IMAX   vs    Dolby Cinema

                     Cinemark XD

                     RPX

                     D-BOX

                     RealD 3D

Interesting facts:

- Out of 750 IMAX theatres around the world, more than 100 of them are located in China (it is considered a luxury brand in this country)

- A standard IMAX screen is 72 feet wide and 53 feet tall

- The screens in this theatre are 4500 bigger than an average TV screen 

- A 3D IMAX camera is the size of a hotel mini-bar refrigerator (weighs 265 pounds)

- IMAX cameras have flown to space, when NASA astronauts used them to document missions

- Some amusement parks have integrated IMAX film segments (Disney California Adventure Park, Universal Studios etc.)