Digital IMAX vs Regular 4K

[Poya]

Out of these two formats, which one provides the better visual experience?

[Canada]

Obviously IMAX.

4096×2160 : 4K Digital Cinema
10,000x7000 IMAX, including IMAX HD and OMNIMAX: approximately 10,000×7000 (7000 lines) resolution.

[BaerGriggs]

Digital IMAX is different than regular IMAX though, isn't it?; it's just two 2K images projected together to make one image.

[Canada]

Originally Posted by BaerGriggs

Digital IMAX is different than regular IMAX though, isn't it?; it's just two 2K images projected together to make one image.

Your right. Because 70mm film and projectors are costly and difficult to mass produce, IMAX debuted a digital projection system in 2008. It uses two projectors that can present either 2D or 3D content in DCI or IMAX Digital Format (IDF) (which in itself is a superset of DCI). As of 2012, IDF uses 2K-resolution Christie projectors with Texas Instruments' Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology alongside parts of IMAX's proprietary formats. The two 2K images are projected over each other to make the image brighter.
The digital installations have caused some controversy, as many theaters have branded their screens as IMAX after merely retrofitting standard auditoriums with IMAX digital projectors. The screen sizes in these auditoriums are much smaller than those in the purpose-built auditoriums of the original 15/70 IMAX format. These theaters charge the same premium pricing as the purpose-built IMAX theaters, resulting in consumer confusion.

[BaerGriggs]

So wouldn't regular 4K be better than digital IMAX in that case?

[Flatnate]

Originally Posted by BaerGriggs

So wouldn't regular 4K be better than digital IMAX in that case?

Arguably. Digital IMAX does have the benefit of increased brightness for 3D versus a single lamp 4k projector. Digital IMAX uses two proprietary 2k Christie projectors that are aligned with overlapping images, this is supposed to reduce the visible pixel grid or inter-pixel gap. I'm not sure if IMAX feeds each projector slightly different image data from a special 4K DCP in this instance or not, and that may possibly depend on the picture being shown at that time. So I can't say if digital IMAX 2k + 2k can really compete with native 4k. My inclination is to say "no".

[Insomniac01]

Originally Posted by Canada

Obviously IMAX.

4096×2160 : 4K Digital Cinema
10,000x7000 IMAX, including IMAX HD and OMNIMAX: approximately 10,000×7000 (7000 lines) resolution.

Resolution isn't all that matters. I love imax but in terms of color, contrast and black levels it will be destroyed by a more traditional cinema with a quality 4k projector and screen (even 2k projectors will kill imax in essentially every area but size). At the same time though the impact imax can have when something is filmed in imax is truly stunning.

edit: in this post I am referring to real imax, in other words imax like there is in Melbourne and Sydney.

[The Fallen Deity]

That's a tough one.

Both look fantastic imo.

With some films you can barely tell the difference.

[SillySauce]

I though Imax started using the barco 4k projectors? How does using 2 2K projectors help the PQ? I thought they used 2 projectors because of the stupid 3D and bigger screen.

My Regal uses a Sony 4K LCOS projector, and the PQ is amazing. I prefer it to theaters using Barco 4K and Christie 4K or 2K projectors. All Cinemark theaters are Barco 4K, AMC and Regal use the Sony 4K projectors.

They showed a clip from "falling skies" a few years ago and it looked like a movie. Super organic looking for a digital projector.

I've also heard that they leave the 3D lens on the projectors during non 3D movies and it lowers the resolution.

[noirjunkie]

What I'm looking forward to are the dual 4K laser projection systems they'll be installing in IMAX theaters: source. Ultimately, I still prefer 70mm whenever I can see it, but the laser system, by all accounts, will be a serious step up from the current 2K systems.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

That's a tough one.

Both look fantastic imo.

With some films you can barely tell the difference.

Originally Posted by Poya

Out of these two formats, which one provides the better visual experience?

Originally Posted by BaerGriggs

So wouldn't regular 4K be better than digital IMAX in that case?

Originally Posted by Batjoke100

In my experience,

2K DCP = IMAX

4K DCP = Regular 4K

For the vast majority of movies done at 2K, Digital IMAX offers what's arguably the best experience. For the rare movie finished at 4K though, I would seek out a regular 4K screen, or even better, find one of those theater-specific IMAX rip offs like Cinemark XD. Those are great for 4K.

IMO it really depends. All things being equal, a 4K presentation should be better looking than IMAX digital. But, I don't think a single projector can compete with a dual IMAX digital projector.

There are more elements that make up a good or quality presentation than just resolution alone. I have no problem with IMAX digital, I know the difference between IMAX digtial and IMAX film.

Just think, IMAX digital is 22 ftl on the screen while single projection is 14ftl on the screen, based on this, it stands to reason that IMAX must do something to their native resolution files to illuminate a really large screen.

[steve1971]

Digital IMAX.

[BozQ]

Are they really going to roll out the laser 4K projection and 12 channel surround next month?

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by BozQ

Are they really going to roll out the laser 4K projection and 12 channel surround next month?

They've been talking about the laser projectors for years now, lol.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-1...-december.html

[BozQ]

Originally Posted by jscoggins

They've been talking about the laser projectors for years now, lol.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-1...-december.html

I know that. I knew about the 4K Laser Projection a couple of years ago and the 12 channel surround very recently. But not from official statements. IMAX has remained very quiet about this. I had no idea it was going to debut with The Hobbit.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by BozQ

Are they really going to roll out the laser 4K projection and 12 channel surround next month?

Yes, there are a few select locations including the Smithsonians in Washingto .

[Dreamliner330]

I'll be interested to see how they are able to maintain brightness with the digital projectors on the real IMAX screen. With such a massive screen, I'll be surprised of the brightness is similar. Using the same projectors I don't know how it could be.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

I'll be interested to see how they are able to maintain brightness with the digital projectors on the real IMAX screen. With such a massive screen, I'll be surprised of the brightness is similar. Using the same projectors I don't know how it could be.

With laser they will be able to get it bright enough to look good. And FYI, IMAX 15/70 is 5-7 foot lamberts at the center with a 50% roll off at the edges. IMAX Digital is 22 foot lamberts at the center will less roll off at the edges.

[Spike M.]

Well, the dual only plays with 3D content. I'm not sure of any system outside of IMAX that can do dual 2D.

And yeah, the current D-IMAX projectors are supposedly brighter than the 15/70mm systems. They seem to flood the mega screens with enough light as is, and the laser systems are even brighter.

[Dreamliner330]

Originally Posted by Spike M.

Well, the dual only plays with 3D content. I'm not sure of any system outside of IMAX that can do dual 2D.

And yeah, the current D-IMAX projectors are supposedly brighter than the 15/70mm systems. They seem to flood the mega screens with enough light as is, and the laser systems are even brighter.

I asked IMAX if they send the same content to both projectors for 2D and they said yes. Projector stacking (using more than one projector to make a single image) is nothing new. Heck, even home theater people do it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbCW...ature=youtu.be

I bet if that theater of yours used both Barco 4K for 2D and fixed their audio you'd be pretty impressed.