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IMAX®
motion picture systems, invented and developed by Imax Corporation,
display images of unsurpassed size, clarity and impact. The images
are enhanced by a superb specially-designed six-channel, multi-speaker
sound system and projected onto giant rectangular screens, up
to eight stories high and, in the case of IMAX Dome®
theatres, onto domes as large as 27metres (88'- 5") in diameter.
The
15/70 image is 10 times larger than a conventional 35mm frame
and three times bigger than a standard 70mm frame. The sheer size
of a 15/70 film frame, combined with the unique IMAX®
or iWERKS™projection technology, is the key to the extraordinary
sharpness and clarity of Journey Into Amazing Caves and
other MacGillivray Freeman films.
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Sound is critical
to the IMAX Experience®. The IMAX six-channel,
high-fidelity motion picture sound system, with sub-bass, is manufactured
by Sonics Associates Inc., a world leader in sound system design.
The Sonics Proportional Point Source Loudspeaker
system, specifically designed for IMAX theatres, eliminates variations
in volume and sound quality over the theatre seating area. This
allows all members of the audience to experience superb sound
quality regardless of where they may be seated.
IMAX projectors
are the most advanced, highest-precision and most powerful projectors
ever built. The key to their superior performance and reliability
is the unique "Rolling Loop" film movement. The Rolling Loop advances
the film horizontally in a smooth, wave-like motion. During projection,
each frame is positioned on fixed registration pins and the film
is held firmly against the rear element of the lens by a vacuum.
As a result, the picture and focus steadiness are far above normal
projection standards and provide outstanding image clarity.
The IMAX system
has its roots in EXPO ‘67 in Montreal, Canada where multi-screen
films were the hit of the fair. A small group of Canadian filmmakers/
entrepreneurs (Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor and Robert Kerr),
who had made some of those popular films, decided to design a
new system using a single, powerful projector, rather than the
cumbersome multiple projectors used at that time. The result:
the IMAX motion picture projection system which would revolutionize
giant screen cinema.
IMAX technology premiered at the Fuji Pavilion, EXPO ‘70 in Osaka,
Japan. The first permanent IMAX projection system was installed
at Ontario Place's Cinesphere in Toronto in 1971. OMNIMAX®
debuted at the Reuben
H. Fleet Space Theatre in
San Diego in 1973.
Imax leases
IMAX motion picture projection systems to specially designed theatres
worldwide. In 2000, over 200 permanent theatres operate in 25
countries.
There are
approximately 150 films in the medium film library. Educational
and entertaining, these films take viewers where they are unable
to go: to explore the hidden secrets of natural wonders like Mt.
Everest, the inside of an atom or the magic of space.
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IMAX
®, OMNIMAX® and IMAX Experience®
are registered trademarks of Imax Corporation, Mississauga, Ontario,
Canada. IWERKS ™ is a registered trademark of iWERKS Entertainment,
Burbank, California USA.
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