Lights, camera, action: IMAX receives visual upgrade

The picture at the IMAX is getting an improvement.

Saskatchewan’s largest movie screen is expected to receive new digital projectors.

The Kramer IMAX Theatre in Regina currently has two 15/70-millimetre film projectors, which allow them to show 3D films. They were installed in 2010.

(980 CJME file photo)

One of the film projectors will be replaced with two digital laser projectors, meaning the IMAX will have three projectors in its booth.

“It’s really all about content,” said Ryan Holota, chief operating officer of the Saskatchewan Science Centre (SSC).

“We’re an educational organization. And the reason that we have the IMAX theatre is to show documentary content to educate the public (and) to educate schools, and there’s really no documentary content coming out on 15/70 anymore. So the industry really has moved to to digital systems.”

Holota says the digital projectors will allow the theatre to expand the amount of documentary content that it shows.

“A side effect of that is that we’re also going to have access to IMAX feature-length films,” he said, “the sort of Hollywood movies that we know people love to see in our theatre.”

Holota said the images on the screen will be much more pronounced with the laser projectors.

“One of the unique things about these projectors is that they’re the only digital projector on the market that does not use a prism,” he said. “What you end up with is a crystal-clear image, very deep blacks, very bright colors, and also an extremely bright screen.”

In addition to the projectors, the IMAX will also be getting a new surround sound system.

“IMAX has their own proprietary sound systems. Currently we have a six-channel IMAX sound system and the laser projector is going to come with a 12-channel surround system,” Holota said.

“It includes all of the speakers that we have now plus an additional four immersive speakers directly above the audience and then two additional surround speakers along the sides of the auditorium.”

The additions are all part of the SSC Revitalization Project, which will include a series of renovations through the Science Centre.

Construction is expected to begin in February and is expected to wrap up in May.