Introduction to IMAX 

If you're a fan of Christopher Nolan, there’s a good chance you know ‘IMAX’ or at least heard of it. If not, ask anyone who has watched an IMAX film in an IMAX theater, you’ll probably hear words like "huge," “incredible,” and ”gigantic”. 

It all started when a small team of Canadian experimental filmmakers Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor, Robert Kerr, and William Shaw, decided to work together on a multi-screen film installation for EXPO '67 in Montreal. The installation was created as part of a competition to create the first large-screen cinematic experience. They achieved this by syncing nine projectors together.

IMAX was first introduced to the public in small venues. Theaters were specially made for science exhibits, museums, and more commercial destinations. The first permanent IMAX projection system was set up in 1971 at Ontario Place's Cinesphere in Toronto, and it is still in use today, screening a film about the city's history.

The first IMAX theater with a domed screen opened at Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan. This innovative format made use of a wide, curved screen that surrounded the audience, giving a one-of-a-kind experience. The IMAX Dome format gained popularity and more domed theaters were built all over the globe.

In the early 1980s, IMAX introduced 3D technology. Viewers could enjoy three-dimensional pictures projected on the large IMAX screens using special glasses, providing a thrilling and lifelike visual experience.

IMAX expanded its reach in the 1990s by constructing multiplex theaters that could show both standard 35mm films and IMAX films. This enabled IMAX to reach a broader audience and present mainstream Hollywood movies alongside IMAX documentaries and educational films

Then came the shift from traditional 70mm film projectors to digital projection technology in the early 2000s. The change made it easier to provide IMAX content and to adapt existing theaters with IMAX equipment.

IMAX rose to prominence through collaborations with major film companies and the production of blockbuster films in the IMAX format. In IMAX theaters, films such as "Apollo 13," "Avatar," "The Dark Knight," and "Avengers: Endgame" drew enormous crowds and generated significant income.

Why Should I Watch Movies in IMAX Theatres?

• Immersiveness: When you watch movies in IMAX, the larger screen covers your field of vision, dragging you into the action and making you feel like you're a part of it. The high-resolution projection system creates clear, realistic images that allow you to see every minor detail.
• 3-D: The 3D glasses offer a highly realistic viewing experience. You'll feel as if you can reach out and touch the objects on the screen, bringing the movie to life.
• Surround Sound: The state-of-the-art speakers and sound engineering techniques produce a surround sound experience that covers every angle. Every whisper, explosion, and note is captured.

How Does IMAX Work?

IMAX Visual Technology:

IMAX visual technology consists of two main components: the Film Format and Projection System

IMAX Film Format: The IMax film format is crucial to creating high-resolution and immersive pictures.

• Larger Film Frame: The dimensions of the film frame are roughly 70mm by 48.5mm, which is more than twice the size of a typical 35mm frame. The bigger frame allows for more image detail and clarity.
• Aspect Ratio: The aspect ratio of the iMax film format is about 1.43:1. This wider aspect ratio allows for a greater field of view, filling the audience's peripheral vision.
• High Film Gauge: iMax films have high gauge (thickness) of 15 perforations (Precisely punched hole at the film edge for film transport & location for exposure.) per frame to capture more visual information. This improves image quality by increasing sharpness, resolution, and color reproduction.
• Film Making Techniques:  Filmmakers use specialized camera equipment and techniques. IMAX cameras are made to handle larger film formats and include features like higher frame rates for smoother motion and image stabilization for steadier images.

IMAX Projection System: The IMAX projection system displays the IMAX film format onto large screens with high quality.
• Dual Projection: The IMAX projection system uses a dual-projector setup, in which two projectors work in sync to project the film onto a curved IMAX screen. This dual projection technology produces brighter and more uniform illumination throughout the screen.
• Screen Technology: IMAX screens are far bigger than ordinary cinema screens, providing the audience with a panoramic picture. Curved screens provide a larger field of view and reduce visual distortions that may occur at the image's edges.
• Xenon Arc Lamps: The light source in IMAX projectors is provided by strong xenon arc lamps. These lamps provide powerful and constant brightness, giving you vibrant and lifelike pictures on the IMAX screen
  
  In addition to these features, the IMAX sound system delivers high-quality multi-channel surround sound to match the grandeur of the visuals.
  
IMAX Sound technology or IMAX Enhanced incorporates these technologies:
• Speaker Set-up: IMAX sound uses an advanced surround sound setup to create a 3-D audio environment. The combination of several speakers strategically placed throughout the theater and advanced sound processing techniques engulfs the audience.
• High Quality Sound: IMAX sound technology has high-fidelity audio reproduction. The system can reproduce a dynamic range of sounds.
• Object Based Technology: IMAX Enhanced uses object-based sound technology, allowing sound engineers to accurately place and manipulate audio objects throughout the cinema environment. This dynamic control over sound objects allows for precise depiction of sound sources in the film.
• Strong Bass: Subwoofers and low-frequency arrays are used in IMAX theaters to deliver deep bass. The low-frequency effects are carefully adjusted, giving action scenes weight and impact.
• Clear Dialogue: IMAX sound systems prioritize dialogue clarity, ensuring that speech is understood even when surrounded by other audio effects. Sound engineers focus on vocal clarity, ensuring that even small details in the dialogue are delivered to the listener.
• Dolby ATMOS & DTS:X Support: Dolby Atmos and DTS:X allow for precise audio placement and movement, boosting IMAX sound technology's immersive capabilities.

Different IMAX Theatres:

IMAX theaters are classified into three types: IMAX Dome Theatres, IMAX Digital Theatres, and IMAX Laser Theatres.

Dome Theaters

A domed screen wraps around the audience in IMAX Dome theaters. The screen stretches from floor to ceiling, producing a visually spectacular and immersive environment. They use a specialized projector that projects images onto the curved screen distortion free. They usually showcase a variety of films, mainly documentaries, and other educational content.

IMAX Digital:

With the use of digital projection technology, these theaters provide a more classic cinematic experience. IMAX Digital Theatre screens have a larger aspect ratio, allowing for a more expansive and panoramic picture. They mainly show Hollywood blockbusters and action films.

IMAX Laser:

IMAX Laser Theatres feature cutting-edge laser projectors which offer unrivaled brightness, clarity, and color accuracy. These have a larger color gamut, which allows for more accurate and brilliant colors.