Difference between IMAX and RealD 3D (With Table)

Watching movie is interesting and most people spend their leisure time watching movies. The movies can either be watched at home on the television screen or in movie theatres.

Most people prefer watching from the movie theatre as the images will be clear, there is good lighting system, projectors, speakers and lamps.

Since the innovation of movie theatres, a lot of innovations have taking place in the industry to improve their services to their customers.

IMAX and RealD 3D are the technologies used to display movies to audiences in movie theatres. The two have been confused by the work totally different from each other.

So, what is the main difference between IMAX and RealD 3D? IMAX uses linear polarizing technology while RealD 3D uses circular polarizing technology.

For more information about the difference between IMAX and RealD 3D in tabular form, continue reading the article. You will also get to learn of the similarities between the two.

You May Also Like: Difference between DVI and D-Sub 

Comparison Table (IMAX vs. RealD 3D)

Basic Terms IMAX RealD 3D
Technology It uses linear polarizing technology. It uses circular polarizing technology.
Sound quality The sound is uncompressed and has perfect quality. The sound quality varies depending on the type of movie.
Lens It uses a curved polarizer. It uses a straight polarizer.
Size of screen It uses big screens. It has standard size screens.
Projectors It uses dual projectors. It uses a solo projector with having a 3D lens.
Cost It is comparatively expensive. It is cheaper.
Picture depth It has comparatively better picture depth. It has slight picture depth.

What is IMAX?

IMAX is a movie format that uses linear polarizing technology. It is widely used nowadays due to the kind of pictures and sound used.

It has better laser projection, a bigger screen size, a great quality sound system, and digital rem mastering making it better to watch movies in an IMAX theatre.

It has two projectors that are projected on the screen. Each projector is meant for each eye to ensure that audience gets the perfect amount of clarity and brightness.

IMAX theatres are widely known for developing the highest resolution cameras and inaugurating laser projection technology.

IMAX theatres are known to be the best film studios and filmmakers making the experience extraordinary for the audience.

What is RealD 3D?

RealD 3D is a movie theater that uses circular polarizing technology to air out its movies. It is an American company that came up in 2003 and established 3D cinema technology in the world.

It creates a lifelike effect in the eyes of the audience by adding depth making the audience feel like they have steeped into the movie.

It is the widest 3D cinema platform in the world. It has two unique formats which are premium format and luxe format.

RealD involves technologies like true image, a true motion that allows filmmakers to present their movies the way they want without any complications.

It has a single projector that comes fitted on a 3D lens which is said to offer 4 times the clarity of the picture. They use standard-size 3D glasses.

Main Difference between IMAX and RealD 3D

  1. IMAX uses linear polarizing technology while RealD uses circular polarizing technology.
  2. IMAX has two projectors while RealD has one projector.
  3. IMAX has better picture depth while RealD has slight picture depth.
  4. IMAX is comparatively expensive while RealD is cheaper.
  5. IMAX uses bigger screens while RealD uses standard-size screens.
  6. IMAX uses a curved polarizer while RealD uses a linear polarizer.
  7. IMAX uses uncompressed sound while in RealD the sound quality depends on the type of the movie.

Similarities between IMAX and RealD 3D

  1. Both have screens that are coated with silver to allow interactive and vivid viewing.
  2. Both make use of glasses that allow the polarization of filters.
  3. Both are methods in which movies are shot in 3 dimensions.

Conclusion

IMAX and RealD are 3 dimension methods in which movies are shot. This makes the movies interesting to watch.

However, the two are totally different from each other. IMAX uses linear polarizing technology to air out their movies while RealD uses circular polarizing technology to air out their movies making the movies to be aired out in different ways hence the results are also different.

More Sources and References:

Leave a Comment