(Material copied from old "moviegoers" IMAX site)
IMAX® Motion Picture Systems Fact Sheet
The Experience
- IMAX motion picture systems, invented and developed by Imax Corporation (Imax), are the finest motion picture systems in the world. Images of unsurpassed size, clarity, and impact, enhanced by a superb specially-designed six-channel, multi-speaker sound system, are projected onto giant rectangular screens, up to eight stories high, in the case of IMAX, and in the case of IMAX® Dome (OMNIMAX®) onto domes as large as 27m (88'-5'') in diameter.
- The IMAX image is ten times larger than a conventional 35mm frame and three times bigger than a standard 70mm frame. The sheer size of an IMAX film frame, combined with the unique IMAX projection technology, is the key to the extraordinary sharpness of an IMAX film.
Sound
- Sound is critical to the IMAX experience. The IMAX six-channel, high-fidelity motion picture sound system, with sub-bass, is manufactured by Sonics Associates, Inc., a world leader in sound system design.
- Developed by Sonics, the IMAX Personal Sound Enviroment System (IMAX PSE) provides the audio complement for the strong visual effects of IMAX® 3D and IMAX Solido® films.
- The Sonics Proportional Point Source(tm) Loudspeaker system specifically designed for IMAX theatres, eliminates variations in volume and sound quality over the theatre seating area. This allows all members of the audience to experience superb sound quality regardless of where they may be seated.
The Projectors
- IMAX projectors are the most advanced, highest-precision and most powerful projectors ever built. The key to their superior performance and reliability is the unique "Rolling Loop" film movement. The Rolling Loop, originally invented by Ron Jones, an Australian, adapted and enhanced by Imax, advances the film horizontally in a smooth, wave-like motion. During projection, each frame is positioned on fixed registration pins, and the film is held firmly against the rear element of the lens by a vacuum. As a result, the picture and focus steadiness are far above normal standards.
- The popular success of Imax's 3D systems, IMAX 3D and IMAX Solido, has led to the development of IMAX® HD, which is shot and projected at 48 frames-per-second, twice the normal frame rate, providing even greater depth of field, clarity of detail and steadiness to the already spectacular IMAX image. It is intended that new systems will be optionally convertible between the 24/48 fps film rate, and existing systems will be able to upgrade.
Awards
- In 1986, the system was recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with an Academy Scientific and Engineering Award for technological innovation and excellence.
- Imax received a 1988 Canada Export Award for superior export performance from the Canadian Government's Department of External Affairs.
- In 1991, Imax received an Award of Excellence from the Canadian Government's Department of Communications, for its contributions and achievements in the field of communications and culture.
History
- The IMAX system has its roots in EXPO '67 in Montreal, Canada where multi-screen films were the hit of the fair. A small group of Canadian filmmakers/entrepreneurs (Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor, and Robert Kerr), who had made some of those popular films, decided to design a new system using a single, powerful projector, rather than the cumbersome multiple projectors used at that time. The result: the IMAX motion picture projection system which would revolutionize giant-screen cinema.
- IMAX premiered at the Fuji Pavilion, EXPO '70 in Osaka, Japan. The first permanent IMAX projection system was installed at Ontario Place's Cinesphere in Toronto in 1971. IMAX Dome (OMNIMAX) debuted at the Reuben H. Fleet Space Theatre in San Diego in 1973.
- Building on the success of these initial two configurations, Imax has continued the evolution of the IMAX experience: OMNIMAX 3D premiered at the Fujitsu Pavilion, EXPO '85 Tsukuba, Japan; IMAX 3D premiered at the Canada Pavilion, EXPO '86 Vancouver, Canada; and both IMAX Solido and IMAX Magic Carpet® premiered at EXPO '90 Osaka, Japan in the Fujitsu and Sanwa Midori-Kai Pavilions respectively. EXPO '92 in Seville continued Imax's World's Fair tradition with the premiere of IMAX HD at the Canada Pavilion.
- Imax Corporation also offers extensive customer support services to filmmakers who use the IMAX medium. The company's camera rental inventory offers 23 cameras including two compact dual-strip IMAX 3D cameras and three lightweight IMAX MARK II cameras for steadicam work.
General Information
- Imax leases IMAX motion picture projection systems to specially-designed theatres worldwide. There are currently more than 125 permanent theatres operating in 20 countries. Thirteen of these theatres are equippedto project IMAX 3D or IMAx Solido, and seven to project IMAX HD. There is a backlog of more than 40 theatres scheduled to open during the next few years.
- There are over 100 films in the diverse IMAX film library. Educational and entertaining, these films take viewers where they are unable to go: to explore the hidden secrets of natural wonders like the Grand Canyon, the inside of an atom, or the magic of space. The first IMAX space film, The Dream Is Alive, has been seen by more than 38 million people in 12 language versions. Rolling Stones "At The Max", the first IMAX concert filmand the first feature-length film in the format, opened to rave reviews worldwide. The much-acclaimed Fires of Kuwait was nominated for an Academy Award in the Feature Documentary category in 1993. Destiny In Space, an inspiring look into the future of space exploration, premiered at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in June '94 and Into The Deep, an IMAX 3D film, premiered in Japan and New York in November '94.
- Imax Corporation, founded in 1967 and headquarted in Toronto, Canada, is the pioneer and leader of giant-screen, large-format film and motion simulator entertainment. Imax is involved in a wide variety of out-of-home entertainment business activities, including: the design, leasing, marketing maintenance and operation of IMAX theatre systems; film development, production, post-production and distribution of IMAX films; camera and projector design and manufacturing; as well as ongoing research and development. Imax has advanced its strategic goals of diversifying its core educational business while expanding internationally through new commercial relationships with leading global entertainment organizations. These include Sony Pictures Entertainment, Capital Cities/ABC, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Sega Enterprises Ltd., Discovery Communications Inc., ITT and Italy's Olivetti Telemedia S.P.A.. Since its opening in November 1994, the SONY IMAX Theatre at Lincoln Square in New York City has become one of the highest grossing single movie screens in the United States. To date, more than 465 million people have experienced an IMAX film since it premiered in 1970 with more than 50 million customers worldwide in 1994 alone. Imax subsidiaries include Ridefilm Corporation, manufacturers and producers of motion simulation theatres or movie rides; Sonics Associates, Inc., world leaders in sound design; and David Keighley Productions/70MM Inc., award-winning specialists in image quality control and laboratory production and post-production.
IMAX®, IMAX® Dome, IMAX® 3D, IMAX Solido®, IMAX® Magic Carpet, IMAX® Simulator Ride and IMAX® HD are trademarks of Imax Corporation, Toronto, Canada.
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