Large Format/"Premium" Theaters (IMAX 15/70, Digital IMAX, XD, ETX, RPX, etc.)

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

There seems to be some confusion regarding Large Format/"Premium" Theaters, so I'm hoping that one big mega-thread will answer any and all questions for Blu-ray.com Forum Members. Note: This is a thread about screen sizes, NOT shooting formats.

--------------------------------------------------

IMAX 15/70 (aka Real IMAX)
IMAX 15/70 theaters tend to be associated with museums or other educational facilities. They were originally designed to showcase documentaries running for less than an hour (due to equipment limitations). The screen aspect ratio is 1.44:1, similar to the 1.33:1 of old movies/TV shows.

They are now capable of showing feature films with longer running times, though due to the enormous screen sizes, they still project film rather than digital video since digital video projectors are not able to be used without a loss in resolution or focus in order to fill the screen (current as of 2012).

http://www.imax.com/

http://www.lfexaminer.com/theaUSA.htm

Be forewarned, though, that some theaters that are listed as 15/70 are actually small Digital IMAX venues that recently added a film projector in order to show The Dark Knight Rises in 1.44:1.

--------------------------------------------------

Digital IMAX (aka Fake IMAX, LieMAX, etc.)
This is a licensing/certification business that IMAX Corp created. Basically, a regular auditorium is modified to have the screen brought closer to the seats and to have the screen fit from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. The screen aspect ratio is 1.78:1 (like 16x9 TVs), so for movies that were shot with IMAX cameras (The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Mission Impossible -- Ghost Protocol, etc.), you only see 1.78:1 rather than the full 1.44:1.



IMAX 3D

[Show spoiler]

IMAX Classic (or Real IMAX)

[Show spoiler]

IMAX Dome

[Show spoiler]

--------------------------------------------------

Some movie theater chains have created their own "premium" auditoriums. The screens stretch from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. This is a way for the chains to bypass paying licensing fees to IMAX but still offer "large format" viewing. This also means that you don't get to see shifting aspect ratios (TDK, TDKR, MI4, etc.) or IMAX versions (such as Skyfall).


AMC ETX (Enhanced Theatre Experience)
http://www.amctheatres.com/etx


Cinemark XD (Extreme Digital)
http://www.cinemark.com/theatres.aspx?type=1


Regal/United Artists/Edwards RPX (Regal Premium Experience)
http://www.regmovies.com/Theatres/RPX