IMAX starts digital projection rollout
By Richard Lawler 
posted Jun 23rd 2008 9:37AM
posted Jun 23rd 2008 9:37AM
Keep an eye out for a new development at IMAX theaters near you, as it starts to roll out digital projection to its 296 theaters next month. Two sites in Washington and one in Philadelphia are first (not to mention those new theaters in Russia), with 50 expected to be complete by the end of the year. The big deal here is that the savings cost, switching from a $22,000 70mm IMAX print to $800 hard drive copies, along with more joint venture deals, should lead the company to profitability according to analysts. Look for more flicks available in IMAX format as a result, with Madagascar 2 making the first big jump to digital, with plans to hit 35 screens on November 7.
Too bad they don't mention the technology and resolution of the new digital projectors. Are these the new 4k LCoS projectors I'd read about earlier?
"Imax ticket prices tend to be 20%-30% more than a traditional movie ticket."
I wish that were true at my local theater. It is $10.00 for a regular (non-matinee) ticket, and $15.25 for an Imax ticket. That makes it 52.5% more than a traditional movie ticket.
I think matinees (before either 2 or 4 in the afternoon) are $7.00 with no break for Imax, I believe. So if I'm right about there being no price break for an Imax matinee, seeing an Imax film during regular matinee hours costs 118% more than a standard matinee.
IMAX films are simply spectacular. Saw one on the Mars Rover and they showed a shot of the Rover that filled the whole screen (as in, you could see the whole thing, and it filled the entire screen) - the amount of detail, quality of the picture, etc. just makes your heart skip a beat (as HT geeks).
You then see a normal movie, and realize how bad it looks in comparison.
IMAX films are indeed great, but moving to Digital is going to be BAD!
All the contrast of film will be lost to piss poor digital LCD/LCOS/TOSSER/WTF/XTRAbright/ what ever other letters they want to throw at us.
Its a step backwards in many respects.
I cant go to the cinema anymore if they use digital projectors, my CRT gives a better picture.
I too would live to know what technology is being used. Even 4K would not be impressive on a 3,800 square foot screen.