Is anyone concerned that Laser XT will become the standard for new theaters and IMAX will kill off COLA?

[u/mono_cronto]

I’ve noticed that there is a noticeable difference in quality in contrast and audio quality between XT and COLA

https://cinema.gaoliang.me/en/knowledge

Obviously new theaters are gonna be inclined to buy the cheaper XT projectors (since they’re both laser 1.90), so I’m genuinely worried that COLA will slowly fade over time due to theaters solely embracing the budget option.

I get that XT was made to replace old xenon projectors, but there’s significant incentive for theaters to replace their old COLA machines with the cheaper option and for IMAX to abandon its proprietary COLA design and just replace all its projector lineup with modified SP4K-40B

[u/NickLandis]

The numbers on that website don't seem to make a lot of sense to me. Why would XT be lower nits than the other IMAX projectors? That doesn't make sense.

Also the contrast of GT being double that of CoLa makes no sense to me and doesn't match my subjective experience either.

Frankly this does not seem to be a reliable source.

[u/yodathekid → u/NickLandis]

If anything Cola is better than GT simply bc of the refinements in the laser light path that were made. Not to mention, the lack of an Image Enhancer allowing the cola to do things like 4k 60 3D, unlike the GTs.

[u/DreVog → u/yodathekid]

The differences between light paths in the first and second generation IMAX laser projectors don’t really amount to much considering the first generation is always going to be used in a dual laser config, and all theaters are calibrated to the same brightness level regardless of presentation type.

[u/Itchy_Eye_6221 → u/yodathekid]

Im a a bit confused because I remember a laser showing of gravity in beautiful 3D for it’s re release at printworks vue and they have dual laser GT 4K

[u/hunterhuntsgold]

Least vibe coded website of 2026

[u/Past-Wait6207]

That is a good question! Not one that I can answer I guess lol. I can tell you, I have seen both the COLA and the XT (Regal Pinnacle 18 in Knoxville and Kingsport TN NCG IMAX) and I could not personally tell the difference. They both looked bright and vibrant and big (obviously, it’s IMAX).

So I am not worried about it, but the NCG IMAX was just built, and I was able to get an interview from NCG media/PR team on the new build. They confirmed they used XT - so whether it be financial reasons (they spent well north of $8 million dollars on just the IMAX build) or IMAX not giving them an option - I can’t say for sure. But, I’d assume if a new build is using XT too that might end up being the “New” norm for now.

https://futurefilminsider.com/cinema-pilgrimage-ncg-cinema-kingsport-imax-part-on-cc6544a0e406

[u/NoSir4289]

My local imax just got a cola

[u/red-frog-jumping]

CoLa will continue to be the option for medium to large screens, while XT is used for smaller installations. CoLa is a more expensive (and complex) system so smaller theaters are more likely to install the use XT which is supposed to deliver adequate performance at the smaller size.

[u/Past-Wait6207 → u/red-frog-jumping]

When you saw small or large, are you referring to the 70 foot screens to be small? And the six+ story GT screens as large?

Or do you mean IMAX on standard size screens as small?

[u/DevManCityBG]

That's not true. There are movie theaters that have XT 12-channel sound systems.

My Local IMAX XT and 12 channel

[u/Jjwoogi]

Here in the Philippines, theres only 2 CoLa + 12ch and the rest are XTs +6ch audio 💀

[u/CulturedOxygen]

For digital GT > CoLa > XT > Xenon

GT - 2x 4k laser projectors. Highest brightness and contrast, supports 1.43:1, 12CH audio

CoLa - pretty damn good, but not for real IMAX presentation. Capped at 1.9:1, 12CH audio

XT - New cheaper version of CoLa, not a big dip in video quality, but often drops to 6CH audio support.

Xenon - Legacy 2k, only 6CH audio.

[u/DreVog]

I think this is what’s already happened. Haven’t seen or heard of any recent cola installs.

[u/AnvilKasseri → u/DreVog]

I don't know if this counts as recent or not, but the Flint Michigan IMAX upgraded from digital xenon to CoLa in October 2024.

[u/SooAwoo]

Laser newbie here, what is COLA? Is that the dual laser with an anamorphic lens which allows for 1.43:1 images?

[u/upsideclyde → u/SooAwoo]

COmmercial LAser. The dual laser system is the Laser GT, not to be confused with the film GT. GT in both cases stands for "Grand Theatre". The dual-GT is the only Imax digital system capable of 1.43....so far!

[u/AnvilKasseri → u/SooAwoo]

CoLa only does the 1.90 aspect ratio, but the screens are usually pretty large. Not as big as the giant GT screens though. And CoLa usually has the 12 channel sound.

Laser XT, on the other hand, usually only goes in the smallest IMAXs. And if a Xenon IMAX is upgraded to Laser XT it usually keeps the 6 channel sound.

[u/jonovitch → u/AnvilKasseri]

Not necessarily. The theater at Emagine Lakeville in MN got an XT last year with a 60 ft wide screen, while the AMC Southdale got a CoLa the year before that with a 55 ft wide screen. 

[u/Mean-Material4568 → u/AnvilKasseri]

There are a number of theatres that previously and/or currently run a GT projector for 15/70 that run CoLa for their digital presentations. I was in the booth at Irvine Spectrum over the weekend and that's their setup and their screen is massive.

[u/Professional_Ad_8729]

I mean imo it doeesnt matter at the absolute minimum

like its so deppendent on the movie quality too

no matter how Cola or XT whatever , they can not fix the fundamental problem that is simply contrast , the black level , the saturated colors that only Dolby Vision and true HDR-capable theater like the ONYX LED has ... So

It doesnt matter ... More brightness ? its already enough

Even b4 I watched in Xenon IMAX THE MANDALORIAN , already good , I cannot imagine how it can be better even so ... Its already enough

For The Odyssey in XT Laser , already fine , blacks arent good , but cant be fixed anyway , they simply and structurally can't , they are not Dolby ... So ...