IMAX expands into home entertainment
January 9, 2019
By Chris Forrester
Giant cinema screen operator IMAX is moving more directly into high-quality home entertainment with blockbuster movies from Sony and Paramount, and supplied into high-end audio-visual equipment.
Its IMAX Enhanced programme is now in partnership with audio specialists DTS. The company says the service will offer consumers a new level of quality in home entertainment.
Other participants include Tencent Video, FandangoNOW and Rakuten TV, as well as global device partners Arcam, Elite, Integra, Lexicon, Onkyo, Pioneer, TCL and Trinnov have all joined the enhanced streaming programme.
The companies also announced the first IMAX Enhanced blockbuster titles from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Paramount Pictures to be released in 2019.
As part of the IMAX announcement, Tencent Video (China), FandangoNOW (US), and Rakuten TV (Europe) will stream IMAX Enhanced content to certified devices beginning in 2019. Additionally, Privilege 4K (US) will stream IMAX Enhanced content to select Sony Bravia televisions beginning this year. Only digital retailers that meet the highest standards for 4K HDR streaming will be authorised to distribute IMAX Enhanced content.
“We’re encouraged by the significant momentum and high-calibre partners that are embracing the IMAX Enhanced program in just the first few months of its launch,” said IMAX CFO and Head of Corporate Strategy & Development Patrick McClymont. “These premium partners and the blockbuster titles announced today extend our product and content offering and advance our efforts to deliver the best at-home entertainment experiences to more consumers around the world.”
The IMAX Enhanced programme, announced in September 2018, combines the highest-end consumer electronics products with IMAX digitally re-mastered 4K HDR content and DTS audio technologies to offer consumers a new level of quality in immersive sight and sound experiences for the home. Televisions, projectors and A/V receivers from Sony Electronics, A/V receivers from Denon and Marantz, and content collaborations with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Paramount Pictures were announced at launch.