16-01-2013, 01:10 PM
IMAX
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Abstract
IMAX (short for Image Maximum) is a film format created by Canada's IMAX Corporation that has the capacity to display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film display systems. A standard IMAX screen is 22 m wide and 16.1 m high (72.6 ft x 52.8 ft), but can be larger. Currently, IMAX is the most widely-used system for large-format, special-venue film presentations. As of March 2007, there were 280 IMAX theatres in 38 countries (60% of these are located in Canada and the United States). Half of these are commercial theatres and half are in educational venues. A variation of IMAX, IMAX Dome (originally called OMNIMAX), is designed for projection on tilted dome screens. Films can also be projected in 3D with IMAX 3D. The Hyderabad, India IMAX has the world's largest display screen. The biggest "IMAX Dome" is in the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey. The world's largest IMAX 3D cinema screen is located in Sydney, Australia.
Precursors
The desire to increase the visual impact of film has a long history. In 1929, Fox introduced Fox Grandeur, the first 70 mm movie format, which quickly fell from use. In the 1950s, Cinemascope and VistaVision widened the projected image from 35 mm film, and there were multi-projector systems such as Cinerama for even wider presentations. While impressive, Cinerama was difficult to set up, and the joints between the screens were difficult to hide.
IMAX Dome/OMNIMAX
In the late 1960s the San Diego Hall of Science (now known as the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center) began searching North America for a large-format film system to project on the dome of their planned 76-foot tilted-dome planetarium. One of the front-running formats was a double-frame 35 mm system, until they saw IMAX. The IMAX projector was unsuitable for use inside a dome because it had a 12-foot-tall lamp house on top. However, IMAX Corporation was quick to cooperate and was willing to redesign its system. IMAX designed an elevator to lift the projector to the center of the dome from the projection booth below. Spectra Physics designed a suitable lamphouse that took smaller lamps (about 18 inches long) and placed the bulb behind the lens instead of above the projector. Leitz of Canada developed a fisheye lens that would project the image onto a dome instead of a flat screen.
IMAX HD
Further improvements and variations on IMAX include the possibility of a faster 48 frames per second rate, known as IMAX HD. This system was tested in 1992 at the Canada Pavilion of the Seville Expo '92 with the film Momentum, but was deemed too costly and abandoned but not before many theaters were retrofitted to project at 48 frames, especially in Canada.[citation needed]
A theme park in Germany also used IMAX HD for a film in the mid-1990s.[citation needed] Soarin' Over California, originally built at Disney's California Adventure before being replicated at Epcot, features a modification of both IMAX HD and IMAX Dome, projecting in 48 frames per second.
IMAX Digital 3D
A new IMAX projection system slated for use in mid-2008 simulates a 3D view and uses new digital technology. This will alleviate the need for the use of bulky film reels and facilitate inexpensive distribution of IMAX features. Deals have already been signed with Hollywood studios for such features, such as "Shrek Goes Forth 3D" [4]
IMAX recently signed a deal with AMC to start utilizing this new technology beginning July 2008[5].
Content
Although IMAX is an impressive format from a technical perspective, its popularity as a motion picture format has traditionally been limited. The expense and logistics of producing and presenting IMAX films has dictated a shorter running time compared to conventional movies for most presentations (typically around 40 minutes). The majority of films in this format tend to be documentaries ideally suited for institutional venues such as museums and science centers. IMAX cameras have been taken into space aboard the Space Shuttle, to Mount Everest, to the bottom of the Atlantic ocean, and to the Antarctic to film such documentaries. Although IMAX documentaries have been praised for their technical quality, critics have also complained that many have banal narration.[citation needed]
Other Uses for IMAX
In July 2005 the BFI IMAX Cinema in London became the first to host live music concerts. IMAX theater owners increasingly look to use the venue at varying times for alternatives to films.
The Science Museum London and BFI IMAX Cinema have also hosted computer game tournaments using digital projectors on the large IMAX screen. Other IMAX Theatres have also followed suit with game tournaments on their screens as well.