IMAX Comes Home

Another news item to come out of CEDIA was the debut of a new breed of gear sporting IMAX Enhanced logos. Similar to THX, this is a certification process for A/V components and content that provides consumers with specific performance guarantees. On the audio side, IMAX Enhanced A/V receivers and surround processors will be outfitted with a special IMAX mode. An enhanced version of the DTS-X immersive codec, the mode aims to bring an IMAX theater sound experience to the home theater environment. On the video side, a “proprietary post-production process developed by IMAX to digitally re-master content to produce more vibrant colors, greater contrast, and sharper clarity” aims to enhance the visual experience with IMAX certified TVS and projectors. Another goal of certification: to maintain the taller aspect ratio of both Imax-produced documentaries and movies formatted for screening in IMAX theaters.

Companies showing IMAX certified products at CEDIA included Denon and Marantz (A/V receivers, surround processors) and Sony (TVS, projectors). The first two IMAX certified Ultra HD Blu-rays have also been announced: IMAX: Journey to the South Pacific and IMAX: A Beautiful Planet, both of which will support the HDR10+ format.