IMAX Enhanced - How will it impact 4k media going forward? - Blu-ray Forum

FilmFreakosaurus · 09-05-2018, 10:01 PM

https://www.imaxenhanced.com/

With this newly minted partnership with DTS, IMAX Enhanced is being implemented by Sony and Paramount Studios to start (besides distributors of IMAX films on home media) with Denon/Marantz onboard as the initial A/V electronics manufacturers including IMAX Enhanced decoding.

Some industry rags speculate that besides video image processing, this could be tied to a small update to the DTS: X codec with one or two added overhead channels (DTS: X currently does not use 3D pannable objects and speaker layout scalability like Dolby Atmos, acting more like a channel-based codec) to more closely comport with IMAX audio systems and mixing styles.

THREE of my biggest concerns are these:

1) Applying IMAX's use of Edge Enhancement to upscale standard, non IMAX photographed movies to a larger screen. They call it a "proprietary post-processing process developed by IMAX." Remember "The Dark Knight" Blu-ray? All 35mm sequences were slathered with heavy edge enhancement and the look was atrociously bad because Warner used the IMAX master.

2) The heavy hand of DNR strikes again? They state it this way: "This advanced process accurately reduces noise and grain under the filmmaker’s guidance to best optimize the content for a much higher quality..."

3) Re-formatting scope movies to 1.78:1 if they happen to have been shown in an IMAX theater regardless of the filmmakers' intent. IMAX Enhanced's website explains it as seeing "more" of the picture. We already went through the age of content "formatted to fit your TV" crap, and now it's back??

On a more practical consumer note, do we need yet another set of "standards" mucking up the works?

It sounds like desperation on the part of DTS and IMAX to stay relevant in this new age of 4k and add another layer of licensing fees to the roster.

What say you?

TheSweetieMan · 09-05-2018, 10:05 PM

If it's not backwards compatible, I'm not sure how widely adopted it'll become.

It's yet another format that has already become massively overcrowded.

I'm still open minded to it, though. The idea of IMAX-formatted UHDs sounds pretty damn cool.

Doctorossi · 09-05-2018, 10:07 PM

From the website, it looks like they're trying to fill the hole that the THX consumer program left. The problem (for them) is that the reason THX left that hole is that it wasn't very big.

I don't foresee any great result of this program.

... and if a home implementation of DMR has anything to do with this, I will avoid it like the plague it would be.

FilmFreakosaurus · 09-05-2018, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSweetieMan

If it's not backwards compatible, I'm not sure how widely adopted it'll become.

It's yet another format that has already become massively overcrowded.

I'm still open minded to it, though. The idea of IMAX-formatted UHDs sounds pretty damn cool.

Besides altering aspect ratios and potentially adding heavier EE and DNR to 4k masters??

TheSweetieMan · 09-05-2018, 10:11 PM

I don't think it'll be the type of EE and DNR that you would normally associate with disastrous results.

Doctorossi · 09-05-2018, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSweetieMan

I don't think it'll be the type of EE and DNR that you would normally associate with disastrous results.

What makes you think they've learned anything?

TheSweetieMan · 09-05-2018, 10:22 PM

Since it'll be under the supervision of the content creators themselves, I think it'll be a process that's different from your usual grain management.

Doctorossi · 09-05-2018, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSweetieMan

Since it'll be under the supervision of the content creators themselves, I think it'll be a process that's different from your usual grain management.

I'm going to judge that by their track record and remain skeptical until I see some indication that they can do something that isn't aesthetically horrifying.

Poya · 09-05-2018, 10:28 PM

Watching the IMAX Marvel marathon, I’ve concluded they were far better on Dolby Cinema. Which there was a marathon in that format.

TheSweetieMan · 09-05-2018, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

I'm going to judge that by their track record and remain skeptical until I see some indication that they can do something that isn't aesthetically horrifying.

Totally understand.

I'm not even saying my assumption is right.

I just think if they're trying to do this legitimately, it'll be a process that doesn't heed results like T2/The Predator UHE.

TheSweetieMan · 09-05-2018, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poya

Watching the IMAX Marvel marathon, I’ve concluded they were far better on Dolby Cinema. Which there was a marathon in that format.

Dolby Cinema is absolutely the best way to watch a film right now. IMAX Laser still doesn't even compare to it.

FilmFreakosaurus · 09-05-2018, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSweetieMan

I don't think it'll be the type of EE and DNR that you would normally associate with disastrous results.

Somehow I don't feel any better. Their DMR process is keyed to IMMENSE screens, not home systems. The two don't jibe.

I already mentioned a film on Blu-ray that specifically used an IMAX created master and it looked like shit.

ROSS.T.G. · 09-05-2018, 11:05 PM

Yeah this sounds like a wannabe THX certification to me, I’ll pass.

Eric_The_Victor · 09-05-2018, 11:07 PM

This seems totally unnecessary at this point in 4K's life. There is so little to be gained and so much to be lost. At best this will be THX 2.0 at worst it will be Predator 2.0

FilmFreakosaurus · 09-05-2018, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric_The_Victor

This seems totally unnecessary at this point in 4K's life. There is so little to be gained and so much to be lost. At best this will be THX 2.0 at worst it will be Predator 2.0

If they're changing scope ratio films to 16x9 then I'm out before they already started irrespective of a supposed update to DTS: X.

bradnoyes · 09-05-2018, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSweetieMan

Dolby Cinema is absolutely the best way to watch a film right now. IMAX Laser still doesn't even compare to it.

Agreed. I was kind of freaked out when I decided to watch M:I Fallout in both formats since I was worried I'd be torn between the two for all future releases, but Dolby Cinema was a much better presentation. I'm fully committed to DC moving forward.

MattPerdue · 09-05-2018, 11:15 PM

"While the IMAX theatrical experience continues to be the gold standard in blockbuster movie-going-"

?

I mean if it's just an optional thing I don't care.

FilmFreakosaurus · 09-05-2018, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattPerdue

"While the IMAX theatrical experience continues to be the gold standard in blockbuster movie-going-"

?

I mean if it's just an optional thing I don't care.

The picture "enhancements" sure don't sound like they'll be optional. If EE and DNR or an aspect ratio change are baked in to the master, you can't turn them off with a button push.

Vangeli · 09-05-2018, 11:31 PM

If it's a more premium version of a movie on top of UHD and costs $3-$5 more (imagine a silver UHD case but with the IMAX logo oooooooh) and is a limited edition guarenteed profitable print run *and* the regular UHD with original aspect ratio (as most IMAX movies today are just opened up to 1.90 with little regard to framing) is available as well for purists, then I don't mind.

Hell, I'll buy both just to compare. This is actually genius.

infiniteCR · 09-05-2018, 11:40 PM

The hardware is the most concerning thing. Look at the last question on the FAQ where it talks about taking advantage of Imax enhanced using a UHD disc/stream and it says that you won't get the same high quality experience if you don't have an IMAX Enhanced device. It might be software related like DV, or who knows what else.

Now average joes might choose an IMAX TV that doesn't have 'black bars' over non Imax DV/UHD/HDR madness... so there's that.

09-05-2018, 10:01 PM	#1
FilmFreakosaurus Banned Member since:Apr 2012 Location:US of A Blu-ray collection:306 DVD collection:17	IMAX Enhanced - How will it impact 4k media going forward? https://www.imaxenhanced.com/ With this newly minted partnership with DTS, IMAX Enhanced is being implemented by Sony and Paramount Studios to start (besides distributors of IMAX films on home media) with Denon/Marantz onboard as the initial A/V electronics manufacturers including IMAX Enhanced decoding. Some industry rags speculate that besides video image processing, this could be tied to a small update to the DTS: X codec with one or two added overhead channels (DTS: X currently does not use 3D pannable objects and speaker layout scalability like Dolby Atmos, acting more like a channel-based codec) to more closely comport with IMAX audio systems and mixing styles. THREE of my biggest concerns are these: 1) Applying IMAX's use of Edge Enhancement to upscale standard, non IMAX photographed movies to a larger screen. They call it a "proprietary post-processing process developed by IMAX." Remember "The Dark Knight" Blu-ray? All 35mm sequences were slathered with heavy edge enhancement and the look was atrociously bad because Warner used the IMAX master. 2) The heavy hand of DNR strikes again? They state it this way: "This advanced process accurately reduces noise and grain under the filmmaker’s guidance to best optimize the content for a much higher quality..." 3) Re-formatting scope movies to 1.78:1 if they happen to have been shown in an IMAX theater regardless of the filmmakers' intent. IMAX Enhanced's website explains it as seeing "more" of the picture. We already went through the age of content "formatted to fit your TV" crap, and now it's back?? On a more practical consumer note, do we need yet another set of "standards" mucking up the works? It sounds like desperation on the part of DTS and IMAX to stay relevant in this new age of 4k and add another layer of licensing fees to the roster. What say you?

09-05-2018, 10:05 PM	#2
TheSweetieMan Banned Member since:Nov 2009 4K collection:515 Blu-ray collection:515	If it's not backwards compatible, I'm not sure how widely adopted it'll become. It's yet another format that has already become massively overcrowded. I'm still open minded to it, though. The idea of IMAX-formatted UHDs sounds pretty damn cool.

09-05-2018, 10:07 PM	#3
Doctorossi Blu-ray Knight Member since:Feb 2009 4K collection:134 Blu-ray collection:478	From the website, it looks like they're trying to fill the hole that the THX consumer program left. The problem (for them) is that the reason THX left that hole is that it wasn't very big. I don't foresee any great result of this program. ... and if a home implementation of DMR has anything to do with this, I will avoid it like the plague it would be.

09-05-2018, 10:11 PM	#5
TheSweetieMan Banned Member since:Nov 2009 4K collection:515 Blu-ray collection:515	I don't think it'll be the type of EE and DNR that you would normally associate with disastrous results.

09-05-2018, 10:22 PM	#7
TheSweetieMan Banned Member since:Nov 2009 4K collection:515 Blu-ray collection:515	Since it'll be under the supervision of the content creators themselves, I think it'll be a process that's different from your usual grain management.

09-05-2018, 10:28 PM	#9
Poya Blu-ray Baron Member since:Jun 2011 Location:NY, NY 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:2 Trading Score:12	Watching the IMAX Marvel marathon, I’ve concluded they were far better on Dolby Cinema. Which there was a marathon in that format.

09-05-2018, 11:05 PM	#13
ROSS.T.G. Blu-ray Champion Member since:Jan 2010 Location:Ontario, Canada 4K collection:393 Blu-ray collection:1549 Blu-ray reviews:16	Yeah this sounds like a wannabe THX certification to me, I’ll pass.

09-05-2018, 11:07 PM	#14
Eric_The_Victor Active Member Member since:Jan 2012 Location:Chicago Home Theater Gallery:12 4K collection:167 Blu-ray collection:678 DVD collection:185 Digital collection:18 Prime collection:17	This seems totally unnecessary at this point in 4K's life. There is so little to be gained and so much to be lost. At best this will be THX 2.0 at worst it will be Predator 2.0

09-05-2018, 11:15 PM	#17
MattPerdue Special Member Top contributor Member since:Nov 2012 4K collection:502 Blu-ray collection:1335 Trading Score:148	"While the IMAX theatrical experience continues to be the gold standard in blockbuster movie-going-" ? I mean if it's just an optional thing I don't care.

09-05-2018, 11:31 PM	#19
Vangeli Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Apr 2017 Location:Maine, US Trading Score:3	If it's a more premium version of a movie on top of UHD and costs $3-$5 more (imagine a silver UHD case but with the IMAX logo oooooooh) and is a limited edition guarenteed profitable print run and the regular UHD with original aspect ratio (as most IMAX movies today are just opened up to 1.90 with little regard to framing) is available as well for purists, then I don't mind. Hell, I'll buy both just to compare. This is actually genius.

09-05-2018, 11:40 PM	#20
infiniteCR Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jun 2014 4K collection:327 Blu-ray collection:1649 DVD collection:190 Blu-ray reviews:5	The hardware is the most concerning thing. Look at the last question on the FAQ where it talks about taking advantage of Imax enhanced using a UHD disc/stream and it says that you won't get the same high quality experience if you don't have an IMAX Enhanced device. It might be software related like DV, or who knows what else. Now average joes might choose an IMAX TV that doesn't have 'black bars' over non Imax DV/UHD/HDR madness... so there's that.

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