This segment shows how IMAX 3D experience is created.
Two independent key components featured in this video:
IMAX = huge projection screen, large film format, powerful multi-channel sound system.
3D = stereoscopic effects.
Note that most IMAX theaters popping up in recent years use IMAX digital projectors. No film is involved, hence portions of this video do not apply to those new theaters. Digital IMAX movies are transported by multi-giga byte computer hard disks. Many new IMAX screens are about 40 feet tall which are only half the height of the 80 feet tall screen depicted in this video. Traditional IMAX theatre is usually a 8 story tall building you can spot from blocks away. For example, in San Francisco Bay Area, the only tall IMAX screens are in the SONY Metreon building in San Francisco and Hacienda crossing 21 theater in Dublin, CA. The few dozens new IMAX theaters are all small screen substitutes.
IMAX 3D uses linear polarization. Tilt your head and the 3D effect is screwed up. Newer Real-D 3D solved that problem. Compare them by watching http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0%2C32068%2C75184978001_1976624%2C00.html
The other advantage of the Real-D system is that 3D contact lens is compatible. See http://www.televisions.com/tv-news/No-joke-3D-contact-lenses.php IMAX 3D cannot do that with linear polarization.
There is a very informative article from CNET Asia which compare IMAX Digital 3D vs. RealD 3D at http://asia.cnet.com/an-overview-reald-3d-vs-imax-digital-3d-62208932.htm Read it if you want to know more. Note that this video you are watching is about the old film based IMAX analog 3D projection, not IMAX digital 3D.
In the 2010 Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, 3D TVs became one of the attractions. 3D TV has been demo’ed for years before, but looks like it is ready this year because some broadcaster has announced plans for 3D channels. Search the news for more info. An update, in 2011, 3D TVs are available from every major TV makers. There are 3 main types of 3D TVs, active electronic shutter glasses, passive polarized lens glasses, and without need of glasses. Each has their pros and cons. See http://asia.cnet.com/how-do-3d-tvs-work-62200056.htm for more details.
Interesting statistics on this video. When Harry Potter IMAX 3D experience came out in July 2007, the daily views on this video peaked at 4600 views on one day and the increased views lasted for about 2 weeks. When Avatar came out in Dec 2009, the daily views only peaked at 1200 views, but the increased views lasted for a month and are still coming in as of this writing.
For those who are interested in 3D computing, the following videos may interest you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtWD9Fh43qA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=556FvXHLtAo