IMAX vs Digital Projectors

IMAX theaters can vary in quality, with some offering 15/70 film and others digital. Learn how to identify the type of IMAX you're getting.

15/70 Film vs Digital

The key thing is that a modern 1.90:1 laser theater is not necessarily what people originally intended to shame with the LieMAX name. Some fans employ the insult for just about anything that doesn't display 1.43:1, but the older Xenon systems on smaller screens are much closer to the format that led to the complaints in the first place.

Screen Ratios and Projector Types

Always begin with the screening label. If it has the words "IMAX 70mm," then the mystery is pretty much solved. "IMAX with Laser" tells you less, because that branding can refer to various laser setups and IMAX's public listings of its theaters don't always specify the type of projector in an auditorium.

Aspect Ratio

A 1.43:1 IMAX screen is clearly taller and squarer than a 1.90:1 screen, and movies prepared for IMAX can stretch up vertically to take advantage of the extra room.

Is LieMAX Really Bad?

Not necessarily, and this is where the nickname begins to cause more confusion than it helps. While a modern 1.90:1 laser auditorium will not be able to display the full height image that can be achieved with a 15/70 or GT Laser auditorium, it is not the same as the older 2K Xenon systems that originally annoyed enthusiasts.

IMAX's Newer Laser Systems

IMAX's newer laser systems project in 4K and have enhancements in brightness, contrast and color. The movie matters, too. Only a handful of films screened at IMAX theaters each year open up to 1.43:1 aspect ratios, and typically only do so for certain scenes.

Dolby Cinema as an Alternative

Dolby Cinema features dual-4K Dolby Vision laser projection with Dolby Atmos, which can make it a great option for movies where contrast, color and sound are more important than the biggest possible image.