Page 8 - CinemaRecord #79

hen we think of theatres with truly big movie screens, none compare to the
Wgiant monoliths of Australia’s two, genuine “large film format” Imax Theatres
where the size of their massive screens combine with a set of revolutionary projection
systems, customised theatre geometry and 15,000 watts of digital surround sound to
deliver the ultimate movie going experience.

These are the LG Imax Theatre at Sydney’s
Darling Harbour (NSW) with the world’s
biggest screen measuring 35.7 metres wide
and 29.5 metres high, and the Melbourne
Museum Imax Theatre in Carlton (VIC)
whose screen is the third largest in the world
at 32 metres wide and 23 metres high.
Both theatres were originally developed
Melbourne Imax. by the Australian company Cinema Plus,
with the 520-seat Sydney Imax opening in
September 1996 with 2D projection - which
was upgraded for 3D in October 1997. The
same latest model ($1.6 million) Imax GT 3D
Projector was already installed in the 475-seat Sydney Imax.
Melbourne Imax when it opened as part of
the new Melbourne Museum complex in May technology to provide impressive images on
1998. a large screen has come a long way since the
first installations back in 2005.
Melb: The new screen arrives. The Imax ‘GT’ 15/70 machines are the most The cinema industry has rapidly transitioned
powerful film projectors in the world, and are from using film to using digital and this has
reserved for only the biggest Imax screens. It impacted the availability of mainstream movie
projects large-format film known as 15/70, or content in the large Imax 15/70 film format.
15 ‘perf’ / 70mm, referring to the size of the
film frame which is 10 times larger than that Although the Sydney and Melbourne Imax
of traditional 35mm cinema film. theatres are now operated independently, both
still work closely together and have recently
The Imax GT 3D projector utilises a unique undertaken a series of extensive upgrades to
Melb: Lowering equipment (Australian invented) “rolling-loop system” plant and equipment.
into the auditorium below. that can pass two separate (left-eye and right-
eye) film prints at high-speed horizontally Earlier this year, Melbourne Imax closed for
through the one double-rotor machine. Two four weeks between February 4 and March
15,000-watt water-cooled Xenon lamps are 5 to facilitate the installation of a brand new
used to provide the bright, crisp images on $250,000 Imax screen, an all new sound system
these truly giant screens. (including all speakers and amplifiers) as well
as twin Imax 2K digital projectors. Using
Whilst the IMAX GT projector has long been patented “Image Enhancement” technology,
hailed the ‘Rolls Royce’ of projection systems, these two Imax/Barco machines each use a
the digital revolution has forever changed the 6.5kw lamp to screen separate left and right
Melb: Digital projection port. cinema landscape - and the ability for digital eye prints in tandem for 3D shows, or in 2D
presentations, both project the same image
overlapped in perfect alignment to provide a
single exceptionally bright image.

This digital system does not replace, but works
alongside the existing 15/70 film projector
allowing greater choice and a more consistent
flow of new Hollywood blockbusters.
Imax film prints are time-consuming to make-
up, heavy and often impossible to move
around, and can also cost as much as $80,000
a piece – as opposed to $175 for a digital print
that arrives on a hard-drive and is simply
ingested into the system and allows for easy,
flexible session programming. The digital
advantages are obvious, however the 15/70
film format will continue to be used whenever
Melb: The Imax GT film projector with prints are available.
two new digital machines at right.

8 2013 CINEM AREC ORD