IMAX resolution noticeable on Blu-Ray?

[martymcfly]

When The Dark Knight is released on Blu-Ray, will the IMAX footage look better than the 35mm footage?

I'm a bit confused, since aren't most 35mm films transferred to Blu-Ray at the max 1080p resolution?

If that's the highest resolution available, how will the IMAX look in comparison?

[LastSonOfKrypton]

The only difference you'll notice is the obvious aspect ratio change

[Super-VHS]

According to Chris Nolan, you should also be able to see the difference in grain structure as well.....

[LastSonOfKrypton]

Originally Posted by Super-VHS

According to Chris Nolan, you should also be able to see the difference in grain structure as well.....

Really? Guess I was wrong.

[Cadrian]

You for sure tell the difference in the IMAX theatre. the opening scene was detailed and perfect... Most of the action scenes, and some of the better one on one scenes between characters were in IMAX. Also each time it showed the city it was in IMAX film.

I would think you have more fine detail like there was with 2001: A Space Odyssey , which you'll experience more in the IMAX filmed scenes but thats me guessing. It doesnt have anything to do with 1080P.... It just comes down to how much detail the actual film used can catch. Then again all this can be changed by the transfer and maybe cropping that will take place when its put on blu-ray.

Thats my guess.

[MarkG]

Originally Posted by LastSonOfKrypton

The only difference you'll notice is the obvious aspect ratio change

Out of curiosity, what is the aspect ratio on imax scenes?

[Super-VHS]

^^^^ IMAX has a ratio of 1.44:1 and in IMAX theaters this ratio is preserved in the scenes filmed as such. On the BD TDK will probably be cropped from the OAR to 1.78:1 or 1.66:1.

The shifting ratios on the upcoming Blu-ray are more about filling the screen (apparently recreating a similar IMAX effect) than preserving the OAR.

[Enzobot24]

When I saw the movie in IMAX, I noticed that the IMAX shots had quite a bit of headroom on the top and bottom - Nolan and Pfister were conscious of the aspect ratio for conventional theaters too. So I hope they crop the image for the Blu-ray.

On the topic of resolution and detail, I'd say the IMAX shots (even downscaled from 70 megapixels to 2 megapixels) will see increased clarity - because downscaling will retain the black-levels and sharpness.

[STR8UP&DOWN]

I'm going to see The Dark Knight this week. I'm assuming you guys would suggest seeing it in Imax?

[STR8UP&DOWN]

Also, I was wondering about this:

http://www2.fi.edu/theater/imax/darkknight.php

It sounds like, on the Imax scenes, the screen will be stretched vertically (in the Imax theater).

Is that correct?

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by STR8UP&DOWN

It sounds like, on the Imax scenes, the screen will be stretched vertically (in the Imax theater).

Is that correct?

No, there's no stretching. The IMAX footage is inherently larger vertically. The non-IMAX footage is letterboxed in the center of the frame.

[STR8UP&DOWN]

Originally Posted by Josh Z

No, there's no stretching. The IMAX footage is inherently larger vertically. The non-IMAX footage is letterboxed in the center of the frame.

Yeah, it didn't make sense that there would be vertical "stretching" ... that's just wrong.

[Cadrian]

Originally Posted by STR8UP&DOWN

I'm going to see The Dark Knight this week. I'm assuming you guys would suggest seeing it in Imax?

I would say yes... but get their early. This past weekend all showings were sold out the week before in my area. I got their 20 mins early and the line went out the doors and around the corner already. Needless to say I got crappy seats at the bottom and the 35MM parts were at the top of the IMAX screen so it was a little hard to watch. Try to sit up top.

I am going to see it again tonight in a normal digital theatre. IMAX was pretty impressive but the 75 miles their and 75 miles back, the 14 dollar ticket, and the crappy seats really lessened the experience. I think I would of prefered to see it on a smaller imax screen rather then the Dome one I drove to. I had to turn my head to take in the whole scenes detail

[STR8UP&DOWN]

Originally Posted by Cadrian

I would say yes... but get their early. This past weekend all showings were sold out the week before in my area. I got their 20 mins early and the line went out the doors and around the corner already. Needless to say I got crappy seats at the bottom and the 35MM parts were at the top of the IMAX screen so it was a little hard to watch. Try to sit up top.

I am going to see it again tonight in a normal digital theatre. IMAX was pretty impressive but the 75 miles their and 75 miles back, the 14 dollar ticket, and the crappy seats really lessened the experience. I think I would of prefered to see it on a smaller imax screen rather then the Dome one I drove to. I had to turn my head to take in the whole scenes detail

I don't think I've ever seen a movie at an Imax theater. I do remember, when I was young, going to the Franklin Institute (which is where our Imax theater is) and seeing some sort of space presentation where the entire dome was the screen. Is that how The Dark Knight is shown?

If so, I think I'll catch it at a regular theater.

[kurbkidc]

Originally Posted by STR8UP&DOWN

I don't think I've ever seen a movie at an Imax theater. I do remember, when I was young, going to the Franklin Institute (which is where our Imax theater is) and seeing some sort of space presentation where the entire dome was the screen. Is that how The Dark Knight is shown?

If so, I think I'll catch it at a regular theater.

My IMAX is a flat screen (slightly concave actually) not a dome. I do remember one IMAX theater I went to before that was domed though. Just check to make sure your theater isnt domed before going, I gotta imagine that would look too weird. If you have a "flat" IMAX around and there are available showings, RUN DO NOT WALK TO SAID THEATER!!!