'F1' marks debut of first IMAX theater in Daytona Beach

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When 'F1: The Movie' opens this weekend at CMX Cinemas Daytona Luxury 12 at One Daytona, the Formula 1 action movie that was partly filmed in Daytona Beach will mark a new addition at the multiplex movie theater.
'F1' will be the first film to be displayed on a new state-of-the-art IMAX screen, the first commercial movie theater in Volusia County to offer that popular trademarked technology.
According to a company announcement, the new theater is equipped with IMAX with Laser, IMAX's most advanced theater experience.
The system is heralded for its crystal clear, lifelike images and precision audio generated by a 4K laser projection system that features a new optical engine, custom designed lenses and technology that delivers brighter images with increased resolution, deeper contrast and widest range of colors.
Although the CMX Cinemas Daytona Luxury 12 is the only theater in Volusia County to offer IMAX, at least two other theaters offer other enhanced technology systems:
Regal Pavilion in Port Orange offers RPX, which stands for Regal Premium Experience. It's a proprietary premium large-format system that enhances the movie-watching experience with larger screens, superior sound systems and comfortable, premium seating.
In Deltona, Epic Theatres of West Volusia offers Epic XL, its own premium large-format auditoriums designed for a more immersive movie-watching experience, featuring larger screens, enhanced sound systems and upgraded seating.
The same technology also is available at Epic Theatres of Palm Coast in Flagler County.
Here's a look at the history and technology of IMAX.
In its broadest definition, IMAX is a theatrical distribution platform that utilizes proprietary technology to create a more immersive cinematic experience for movie-goers.
The platform includes IMAX cameras, special film formats, dual projector systems, stadium theater seats and larger theater screens.
Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor, William C. Shaw, and Robert Kerr invented the IMAX projection system in Montreal in the 1960s, according to information on the technology published by the Toronto Film School.
Ferguson produced and shot one of the early IMAX films, 'North of Superior.'
The first IMAX film was called 'Tiger Child.' It was a short documentary film written and directed by Canadian Donald Brittain. Filming took place in 10 countries and the film's world premiere was held at EXPO '70 in Osaka, Japan.
The film attracted more than 64 million visitors in a nine-month period.
In the beginning, the company was known as the Multi-Screen Corporation. Today, IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai.
More: How to get 'F1' movie tickets, see showtimes at theaters near you
Today, IMAX auditoriums primarily use the IMAX with Laser system. The projector houses a state-of-the-art 4K laser projection system with a new optical engine and customized lenses, according to information posted by the Toronto Film School.
In its piece, the Toronto Film School interviewed Adam Cuthbert, director of technical services for IMAX. In that role, he oversees a global team that maintains and enhances IMAX systems that encompass 1,000 IMAX screens in 89 countries.
'IMAX's locations are designed to immerse you into the movie, with curved screens that fill your field of vision, and customized seating that puts you closer to the action,' Cuthbert said. 'You can expect a system that delivers crystal clear, lifelike images and precision audio. Every element is fully integrated to our precise standards — clearest visuals and precision audio, projection technology, and theatre design — working together to create what is widely acknowledged as the gold standard for the film entertainment experience.'
The Traumpalast Multiplex in Leonberg, Germany holds the title for the world's largest IMAX screen, stretching close to 70 feet high and 125 feet across and weighing 500 pounds. The screen is so large that it has set two Guinness World Records: one for the world's largest permanent IMAX screen and another for the largest permanent cinema screen.
When it comes to audio, IMAX gives it just as much attention as it does the visuals.
'The IMAX Experience is much more than just a big screen,' Cuthbert said. 'On all titles played on our systems, we create a specialized track to take advantage of the unique capabilities of our system.'
These capabilities are possible due to IMAX's proprietary sound processing software that enables dialogue, music and sound effects to be enhanced, making for a film soundtrack that is 'more realistic and impactful,' Cuthbert said.
IMAX theatres also come with a multi-channel sound system, with speaker placements both behind the auditorium screen and around the theatre. Cuthbert says this creates a sound field that 'envelops you from every direction, immersing you right in the action.'
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: 'F1: The Movie' marks the debut of new IMAX theater in Daytona Beach