IMAX 3D

This segment shows how IMAX 3D experience is created.

Two independent key components featured in this video:
IMAX = huge projection screen, large film format, powerful multi-channel sound system.
3D = stereoscopic effects.

Note that most IMAX theaters popping up in recent years use IMAX digital projectors. No film is involved, hence portions of this video do not apply to those new theaters. Digital IMAX movies are transported by multi-giga byte computer hard disks. Many new IMAX screens are about 40 feet tall which are only half the height of the 80 feet tall screen depicted in this video. Traditional IMAX theatre is usually a 8 story tall building you can spot from blocks away. For example, in San Francisco Bay Area, the only tall IMAX screens are in the SONY Metreon building in San Francisco and Hacienda crossing 21 theater in Dublin, CA. The few dozens new IMAX theaters are all small screen substitutes.

IMAX 3D uses linear polarization. Tilt your head and the 3D effect is screwed up. Newer Real-D 3D solved that problem. Compare them by watching http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0%2C32068%2C75184978001_1976624%2C00.html
The other advantage of the Real-D system is that 3D contact lens is compatible. See http://www.televisions.com/tv-news/No-joke-3D-contact-lenses.php IMAX 3D cannot do that with linear polarization.

There is a very informative article from CNET Asia which compare IMAX Digital 3D vs. RealD 3D at http://asia.cnet.com/an-overview-reald-3d-vs-imax-digital-3d-62208932.htm Read it if you want to know more. Note that this video you are watching is about the old film based IMAX analog 3D projection, not IMAX digital 3D.

In the 2010 Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, 3D TVs became one of the attractions. 3D TV has been demo'ed for years before, but looks like it is ready this year because some broadcaster has announced plans for 3D channels. Search the news for more info. An update, in 2011, 3D TVs are available from every major TV makers. There are 3 main types of 3D TVs, active electronic shutter glasses, passive polarized lens glasses, and without need of glasses. Each has their pros and cons. See http://asia.cnet.com/how-do-3d-tvs-work-62200056.htm for more details.

Interesting statistics on this video. When Harry Potter IMAX 3D experience came out in July 2007, the daily views on this video peaked at 4600 views on one day and the increased views lasted for about 2 weeks. When Avatar came out in Dec 2009, the daily views only peaked at 1200 views, but the increased views lasted for a month and are still coming in as of this writing.

For those who are interested in 3D computing, the following videos may interest you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtWD9Fh43qA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=556FvXHLtAo

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• IMAX
• 3D
• movie
• film
• stereoscopy
• explained
• Avatar
• 立體電影
• 3D movies
• RealD
• Disney 3D
• linear
• circular
• polarization
• Real-D

[cancerman50]

I think most IMAX are cheap knockoffs. We want a real IMAX you need a dome screen. That's right those screens are NOT flat. There's only 2 that I know of (Ben Franklin INsitute, Philidelphia, PA: Caradle Of Aviation Museum in Garden City, NY)

[cplai]

@cancerman50 I choose to differ. IMAX dome distorts the movie projection. It is not the best option. The "real" IMAX screen is vertical 80' tall like the one shown in this video. Almost 99% of IMAX theaters nowadays are knockoffs as you said.

[Fifamaster09]

Hope they make IMAX 3D with vibrating chairs :D

[cplai]

@Fifamaster09 That is called 4D. Many theme parks like Disneyland does that. The chairs move in sync with the 3D movie being shown. They may even blow air or spray water on your face to match the situations on screen.

[voidxor]

If you're wondering what IMAX 3D is like, just picture something as far from the quality of this video as possible... ;-)

[mkonkova]

Today, I was at IMAX 3D cinema for the first time of my life. It's amazing! From now I'm watching movies only in 3D or if I'll get lucky in IMAX 3D. :D

[ValenciaFan1]

The Amazing Spiderman will be shown in IMAX 3D, can't wait!

[Jetters234]

My local cinema has IMAX

[94kricco]

3D is extremely good, better than 2D

I have only seen 2 movies in 3D

Shrek: Forever After 3D

Transformers 3: Dark Of The Moon 3D

but I have too seen 4D :D