Leading the Laser Charge

Leading the Laser Charge

[ Updated September 1, 2015  |  Originally published August 29, 2015 ]

Rocky Mountain Express has been released for IMAX® with Laser—the groundbreaking laser projection system now being installed in select IMAX theaters.

The award-winning IMAX Experience will be featured in flagship installations of the new IMAX with Laser system in museum environments, including the Pacific Science Center in Seattle WA, IMAX Victoria inside the Royal BC Museum in Victoria BC, as well as TELUS World of Science — Edmonton, in Alberta. The Pacific Science Center will feature Rocky Mountain Express beginning late November 2015 and IMAX Victoria is slated to re-launch the film in 2016. TELUS World of Science—Edmonton will exhibit the laser edition of the film beginning October 14th, 2015.

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Rocky Mountain Express

Filmed in the 15 perforation-70mm motion picture format, and first released in 2011, Rocky Mountain Express propels audiences on kinetic and emotive steam train journey through the Canadian Rockies and relates the epic story of the building of the first transcontinental railway. Featuring stunning aerial and locomotive footage, the film offers a unique showcase for the new IMAX with Laser technology.

IMAX with Laser

IMAX with Laser has been described as a re-imagination of the movie-going experience. Designed at the first permanent IMAX theater (Cinesphere at Ontario Place), the new 3D-capable laser-driven system is some 60% brighter in output than existing systems and features a significantly larger colour gamut, as well as the capacity to project at an aspect of 1.43:1, consistent with the tall format used by existing IMAX film capture and projection technology. IMAX with laser features two 4K projectors running simultaneously with sub-pixel alignment in both 2D and 3D to deliver a perceived resolution greater than 4K. Sharper and brighter images, darker blacks and an overall heightened level of realism are hallmarks of the new system. For 3D presentation, re-designed 3D glasses take advantage of the purity of laser light to eliminate residual light ghosting inherent in traditional 3D projection technologies. The sound system for IMAX with Laser includes 6 additional channels with a sub-bass, speakers now in the ceiling, as well as additional side wall speakers. The new system is linked to an IMAX network operations center, enabling around-the-clock monitoring of system components.

Installations

The Pacific Science Center in Seattle installed IMAX with Laser in April. IMAX Victoria in Victoria BC will offer IMAX with Laser beginning March, 2016. The Cineplex ScotiaBank Theatre in Toronto was the first theatre to debut IMAX with laser while the TCL Chinese Theatre was the first in the U.S. to debut the technology. IMAX has signed more than 71 laser deals around the world including the most prestigious and iconic commercial theatres, museums and science centers such as the Empire Leicester Square in London; AMC’s Lincoln Square in New York City, Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles, and Metreon in San Francisco; Darling Harbour in Sydney; CineStar IMAX Sony Center Berlin at Potsdamer Platz; the Smithsonian’s 3 IMAX theatres and; TELUS World of Science–Edmonton, where Western Canada’s first IMAX Laser will debut in October.

Related

“Laser Locomotive Absolutely Stunning

“The Road to Rocky Mountain Express” [April 24, 2015]

Rocky Mountain Express page

Where to See Rocky Mountain Express

Poster for Rocky Mountain Express, an IMAX Experience.