IMAX Begins Consumer Electronics Certification Program

IMAX and audio company DTS are partnering to start a certification and licensing program for high-end consumer electronics. The program aims to certify home cinema devices for the ‘best possible 4K HDR display and sound experience’.

In addition to IMAX and DTS, companies such as Sony, Paramount and the parent company of Denon and Marantz are participating in the program, which is called IMAX Enhanced. The program will start this fall, although it is not yet clear when the first electronic products with the certification will hit the market. For example, to be accepted for the program, high-end TVs with 4K and HDR, receivers and other sound systems must meet a number of prescribed audio and/or video standards.

These are prescribed by a committee of engineers from IMAX and DTS and engineers from Hollywood. Participating manufacturers also integrate a special variant of the DTS-X audio standard into audio systems. IMAX does not specify which requirements the electronics must meet in order to be eligible for the program.

In addition, a so-called IMAX Mode is introduced in the certified home cinema devices. This ensures that IMAX Enhanced content is optimized with a special post-processing process so that the viewing and listening experience should come across ‘as the filmmakers intended’.

On certified TVs, this could be integrated in the form of a special picture mode, which for example may be comparable to the separate Technicolor picture mode on certain LG TVs. IMAX and DTS are also partnering with studios to release remasters of existing films, enhancing color, contrast and sharpness.