Everyone loves to watch movies with the best immersive experience. However, it is difficult to decide between the IMAX and standard screen. So, you may be looking for a table covering IMAX vs Standard Screen Comparison.
This guide will provide you with complete information about IMAX and standard cinematic screens.
In fact, we will help you decide which type of screen is best for you and why should you choose one.
This article will compare and contrast the features of both types of screens in full detail. So, continue reading till the end.
IMAX vs Standard: A Brief Overview
The Standard is normal screen cinematography. Generally, it is used in mediocre cinemas and theaters that have limited resolution.
The standard screen is regular and is ideal to use in home theaters. It supports the film format of 35mm while IMAX supports the 70mm film format.
Another major difference between the two is size. IMAX is almost 6 times bigger than the Standard. IMAX stands for “Image Maximum”.
So, as the name suggests, it has changed the watch experience completely. It provides a genuine and real watch effect. Watching movies on the IMAX screen is really wonderful.
It is used in bigger and advanced cinemas and theaters. The Standard gives a 2D watch effect while the IMAX produces a 3D watch effect.
Although the Standard theater also produces a 3D effect yet it is not as enjoyable as in IMAX.
A Detailed Comparison of IMAX vs Standard
There is much more to explore about Standard and IMAX. We need to dive deep into both types to understand the differences and similarities.
Therefore, we will discuss the discovery, usage, size, price, benefits, and drawbacks of both Standard and IMAX.
1. Introduced and Launched
The standard screen has a longstanding history. It has been the companion of humans for centuries and they enjoyed many blockbuster movies on this screen.
It is believed that the Standard was made by a French Physicist-Henri Chretien towards the end of the 19th century. However, with time the Standard kept on improving.
IMAX was introduced in 1967 by a Canadian theater company-IMAX Corporation. The purpose was to provide a high-quality real video experience to their audience.
This screen also improved with time and now it is considered the best screen for grand theaters. This started flourishing around the year 2000 and gained popularity with time.
2. Usage
The standard screen has been very popular in cinematography. It is used in cameras, computers, televisions, and regular cinema screens.
Moreover, it is also highly popular among home cinema lovers. This type is very common and is found in all of the normal cinemas and theaters.
When it was new, IMAX was mostly used to watch nature movies or clips. But now, IMAX is found everywhere from cameras to laser projection and stadium seating.
IMAX has established about 1500 theaters in 80 countries. But, not anyone can afford to watch movies in an IMAX theater due to costly tickets.
3. Structure and Functioning
Standard use the traditional audio/video technology. But, it is very much improved as compared to its past versions.
Standard has added modern cameras and speakers to enhance the movie effect. A Standard theater has a plain and straight screen. It can be viewed best only from the front angle.
Because it has 2-dimensional technology that is ideal to watch older movies produced in the 80’s and the 90’s.
However, they have limited pixel and resolution that’s why Standard picture quality is not comparable to IMAX.
A Standard screen is usually placed in the center of the room and stands clearly different from its surrounding.
IMAX has a very different structure than Standard. It is composed of a giant spherical dome with a flat-screen. This structure gives a 3D immersive watch effect to the audience.
So, the viewers feel every scene and dialogue like they are present at that place. IMAX is equipped with linear polarization technology and high-resolution cameras. This screen expands from wall to wall.
4. Watch Experience
The most amazing feature of the IMAX is that you can view it from any angle. But, the scene seems lively and best. The viewing angle and viewer’s position do not affect the quality of the video.
Because it displays super giant pictures. The shot lasts longer and is more descriptive. Hence, it gives high aesthetic pleasure to the audience.
While the Standard screen gives a normal watch experience that you enjoy on your home theaters, televisions, and computers.
The standard screen makes you feel that you are watching a recorded movie. On the other hand, IMAX films are enhanced through Digital Re-Mastering or DMR technology.
It presents the film as it was made originally and you find yourself at the production place. The 3D video display of IMAX is much better than Standard. It incorporates the characteristics of the human eye in its displays.
5. Audio Quality
In addition to video, IMAX also provided the best audio quality. The speakers are much powerful and create a realistic audio effect.
The crystal clear audio makes the audience feel immersed in the scene. In an IMAX theater, sound quality does not depend on the size of the room and the location of the listener.
The sound reaches every corner of the hall with the same effect. A viewer sitting at the end of the hall enjoys the same crystal clear audio as the viewer who is sitting just in front of the screen.
So, the audio is perfectly tuned by the accurately oriented speakers. Because IMAX uses a 6-channel or 12-channel audio system that surrounds the listener from all directions.
In contrast, Standard Theater uses a 5.1 channel sound system that is believed to give the best audio effect.
The sound quality in a regular theater is normal but cannot be compared to IMAX. Their sound system is not advanced and perfectly engineered.
6. Resolution and Film Formats
IMAX has a higher resolution than Standard. A 70mm film format that is 10 times larger than the regular or Standard cinemas. It does not waste a single moment of the movie.
IMAX uses super bright lights to project the image. A 15,000-watt Xenon Bulb is used in IMAX that creates an outstanding picture.
The brightness level is excellent and the display is crystal clear. Moreover, its contrast ratio is very wide and color accuracy takes the movie experience to the next level.
This screen protects your ears and eyes and does not affect them negatively. The IMAX resolution is measured as 1.43:1 or 1.90:1.
Furthermore, it has 3 projection formats including IMAX 2K Digital, IMAX 4K laser, and 70mm film.
Standard has two aspect ratios; 4:3 and 16:9, the latter is more popular for ultra-wide displays. While for PC displays, the ratio is 3:2.
The Standard screen is generally rectangular with a square view or watch area. It has a file format of thirty-five mm.
| Comparison Parameters | IMAX | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Key Difference | IMAX is 6 times larger theater screen producing high resolution images with real audio and video effect. IMAX stands for "Image Maximum". | Standard is the regular and traditional screen that produces average image and sound quality on a Standard screen size. |
| Introduced | IMAX was introduced in 1967 by Canadian Theater Company-IMAX Corporation. It gained popularity in the year 2000. | Standard was made by a French Physicist in 1879 and has been the most popular and common theater screen. |
| Utilization | IMAX is used in high resolution and advanced theaters. It is also used in laser projection, cameras, and stadium seating. | Standard is used in home theaters, cameras, TVs, computers as well as in regular cinemas. |
| Structure | It is composed of a giant circular dome and a flat screen. IMAX uses linear polarization and higher resolution cameras. | It uses traditional and average audio/video technology. |
| Viewing Angle | IMAX screen can be viewed from any angle and distance. It gives 3D watch experience with detailed descriptions. The screen stretches across the walls. | It can be viewed perfectly only from the front position. The screen is mounted or placed at the center of the room with a square view. |
| Video Quality | The DMR technology enhances the movie effect and produces crystal clear images. The ultra-bright display gives a real immersive experience. | Traditional technologies give an average picture quality. Color contrast and brightness may be compromised. |
| Sound Technology | A 6-channel or 12-chaennel audio system delivers outstanding audio to the every corner of the hall. The perfectly oriented speakers tune audio accurately. | A 5.1 channel system is common in Standard theaters. Audio quality and experience is not same around the hall instead compromised. |
| Resolution | It uses 70mm film format and 15,000 watt Xenon Blub for super bright pictures. The resolution is 1.43:1 or 1.90:1. | 35mm film format is used in Standard theaters with a 16:9 aspect ratio. |
| Expense | IMAX are three times costlier than Standard. The ticket is too expensive and these theaters are not very common. | It is not too costly and a layman can also afford the Standard cinema ticket. Less data is required to watch videos on a Standard screen. |
7. Cost and Expense
Definitely, Standard is less costly than IMAX. Standard is ideal for watching regular videos and movies. It uses less data as compared to IMAX.
For high-resolution videos, IMAX is perfect. But, it costs you almost 3 times the Standard theaters. The ticket for an IMAX theater is very expensive than the Standard.
Moreover, IMAX theaters are not very common. So, you have to bear travel expenses as well. But, that may not be a big price for clarity and an excellent watch experience.
Also Read: Best Soundbars for Samsung TVs
Final Words
So, this article has listed all the major differences between IMAX and Standard. The key difference is performance and watch experience.
Moreover, the resolution, file format, and technologies also differ. IMAX uses advanced technologies to give a real 3D immersive effect.
The Standard screen is common and mostly used in regular theaters and media displays. But, movies are much more enjoyable on an IMAX screen.
If you are a movie lover and prefer aesthetic viewing effect, you should go to an IMAX theater. It is better to pay a little more than to compromise on watch quality.
We hope, you liked our effort and have understood our comparison of IMAX vs Standard screen. Stay connected with us to read more informative articles.
