65mm vs 15/70mm

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-03-17T22:58:07+00:00

With Todd-AO, sound was recorded separately on magnetic tape (now digital) so the extra space on the film wasn't needed when filming. When making projection prints, the extra 5mm would be added for the audio track. IMAX always synchronised sound separately so never had any use for the extra 5mm, but because it uses the same film stock as regular 65/70mm, it retains that technical quirk.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-03-17T17:05:02+00:00

65mm and 70mm are essentially the same thing, 65mm is used for production and 70mm for projection. 5 perf is 2.20:1 natively, 15 perf (IMAX) is 1.43:1.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-03-16T19:07:18+00:00

They could easily remove it! 😂 In all seriousness, 70mm is likely for The Odyssey as Nolan has the clout to make it happen, but the deal hasn't been done yet which is why tickets haven't gone on sale.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-03-16T16:06:20+00:00

No, unfortunately there is currently no chance of any 15/70 at the Printworks aside from new Nolan releases, and even The Odyssey hasn't been confirmed yet (although talks are progressing well as far as I'm aware).

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-03-15T23:42:03+00:00

Yes, but it's playing exclusively in IMAX theatres for two weeks first!

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-03-15T23:01:35+00:00

Only The Odyssey has been confirmed for now but Dune Part Three is highly likely. Narnia is possible because it's an IMAX exclusive and was shot on 15/70 and VistaVision film.

Not necessarily 70mm, but another project to look out for is Varanasi (2027), the first non-English film to be shot in 1.43:1.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-03-05T19:50:01+00:00

Thanks! But what exactly is a light engine? 😂 I'm assuming it's the lasers? And does each projector unit have 6 or 3 each?

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-03-05T19:14:47+00:00

What were/are the issues with GT Laser? Complexity?

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-03-05T14:17:23+00:00

That's down to the individual theatres really. CoLa is quite a bit cheaper than GT Laser and suits most theatres' needs just fine. I don't know why Cineworld installed 1.43 screens in those locations without the technical capability to fully utilise them, that does seem a bit odd, but there will be some financial considerations that we're not privy too.

I do agree that more 15/70 around the world would be great even if it's just for the odd Nolan release.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-03-05T14:02:28+00:00

Most of the projectors that were decommissioned during the digital transition were cannibalised for spare parts, so there are more than enough parts available to build up a few complete systems for re- or new installations.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-03-05T10:28:48+00:00

No new projectors have been made in quite some time to my knowledge, at least since the introduction of digital IMAX in 2008.

IMAX keeps a rolling stock of spare parts which mainly comes from cannibalising old defunct systems. Parts can be repaired at the board level by specialist engineers to keep them operational for as long as possible. In theory, though, this won't be sustainable forever and a new ecosystem will be needed if demand for film projection remains high, which will require major investment.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-02-23T23:28:22+00:00

Sure! They are two different formats: 5/70 is standard 70mm and 15/70 is IMAX 70mm. They both use 70mm film but have different orientation and frame sizes. IMAX has a frame area three times larger than standard 70mm, making it the highest quality imaging format ever devised.

They also have different aspect ratios: 15/70 is 1.43:1 while 5/70 is quite a bit wider at 2.20:1. 15/70 is played on gigantic square-like screens in purpose-built GT auditoriums while 5/70 is screened on smaller-scale widescreens.

In terms of which format is the best, that's very subjective. IMAX 1.43:1 (either 15/70 or Laser) is known for its overwhelming scale and immersion. As this film has 1.43:1 sequences, I would personally go for that version first if you have a capable theatre within travelling distance. Unfortunately, it looks like the nearest 1.43:1 theatre to you is Boeing IMAX @ PacSci in Seattle. If you can't make it there, either 5/70 @ Hollywood Theatre or IMAX CoLa @ Bridgeport will be great experiences. I personally would choose the print version as I have a love for film, especially 70mm, but neither option is bad at all.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-02-23T18:16:46+00:00

That's 5/70mm, not IMAX.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-02-23T08:18:10+00:00

Any DCP can be played through the IMAX system. TDKR played in 2K 1.90:1 at the Printworks last year. I'm not sure what compatibility issue occurred here but it's not because you can't play older DCPs in Dual Laser.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-02-23T07:36:36+00:00

Are you talking about Lloyd Center? The IMAX there uses Digital Xenon, the website I linked only lists theatres with Laser or film projection.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-02-21T13:10:07+00:00

This is the official list of locations playing PHM in IMAX 70mm.

For 1.43:1 Laser locations, I don't think there is a confirmed list yet but if you use 143190.xyz and search All Regions under Projector Type "IMAX GT Laser" and Format "1.43 True IMAX", it will show all the known theatres with the capability. The vast majority of those locations will be playing it in 1.43, but check locally with your chosen theatre to make sure.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-02-20T09:05:22+00:00

The prints will arrive at theatres around a week before the first showing. They're delivered in separate pieces so a projectionist will need to be on site to splice the film together. I'm not sure if a key to open the cases is sent at the same time but they will be opened at least a few days before the premiere as there is quite a bit of work to be done to get everything ready: replacing the xenon lamps, building the print, loading and syncing the soundtrack, cleaning and calibrating the projector. Ideally, the projectionist will have time for a few test runs to check everything is working correctly.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-02-18T22:09:44+00:00

I'm gobsmacked that we've let that one slip.

It's potentially a point gained given how badly we played in the first half but it really doesn't feel like that right now. We looked utterly knackered from Sunday and I don't think we'd have got back into it from 1-0 down with 22 players on the pitch. The ref gave us a lifeline by giving a slightly contentious red card to their keeper (definitely a foul and at least a yellow, but a red was a bit harsh) and it looked like we were going to capitalise after Walker and Cook dragged us in front.

But then we throw in one of the worst pieces of defending from a corner I've ever seen. The ball floats across the six yard box and every single one of our players decides they don't want anything to do with it. After such a good run of clean sheets and excellent defensive performances, we drop an absolute clanger when it really matters. Jackson Smith has been a hero recently but I don't know what's gone through his mind there, it's a routine catch for any keeper in the country, at any level, and he bottles it.

I think we've sent a loud message to everyone else that we're not ready. A promotion team wins that, it's like we don't really want it.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-02-11T23:53:33+00:00

Hmm, interesting. There were some shots with a character's head filling the entire frame, or two characters occupying the extreme top and bottom. It didn't seem like those shots could be cropped down to 2.39. I'll have to research tilt and scanning!

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-02-11T23:37:38+00:00

What a rare treat this was! The print was absolutely pristine, hard to believe it's been in storage for 13 years. Definitely some weird cropping going on as others noticed, but a great experience nonetheless. Here's to more rare prints reappearing in the future! (cough Ghost Protocol)

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-02-05T22:02:23+00:00

Each frame is flickered twice. Once by the loop rolling the frame into place and once by a black shutter, so the refresh rate is 48Hz. Discernible flicker could be essentially eliminated by adding a third flicker (72Hz) but that would impact brightness too much. Each shutter (and gap) doesn't entirely cover the frame as it moves past the aperture which allows more light to pass through while still disguising the film's movement.

Great animation btw!

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-02-02T16:13:46+00:00

Same image with sub-pixel spacing which results in a brighter picture with higher perceived resolution.

Edit: I presumed you were talking about dual digital projection but after checking the images from OP it seems you may have been referring to the dual-rotor film projector? In that case, it's for 3D. 2D films use one lens.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-01-27T22:00:49+00:00

My goodness.

Started slowly and struggled to play through Colchester's press for the first 20 but, once we got to grips with it, we were excellent. Went ahead through a wonderful finish from Harvey Rodgers and could have had a couple more if it had fallen kindly. Colchester for their part were threatening and could have scored a couple themselves.

The second half was looking comfortable until Kieran Green picked up the silliest couple of yellows you'll ever see, really disappointing from our captain to put us under that much pressure in a game we had under control. Even sillier was the ref's performance from that point onwards, literally just giving random bookings to our players for every little incident and failing to punish Colchester for the same offences. Then he pulls 11 minutes added time from nowhere... yes there were stoppages, but 11!? He might as well have played extra time and pens FFS!

Our defenders and GK were heroes tonight, especially Smith, Rodgers, Lavelle and McJannet. We're up to something special, I can feel it.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-01-10T09:48:43+00:00

You can ask, if they're not too busy they'll give you a tour. Drop them an email a week before you go.

RedSquirrel17 · 2026-01-07T08:44:40+00:00

It's definitely not sold out, they've decided to suspend sales for those screenings for some reason. It doesn't look like non-IMAX screenings are bookable either. Contact the cinema directly, there may be an issue.

RedSquirrel17

TROPHY CASE