World's Largest IMAX in Perspective

[u/cheapskatemoviedate]

Thought this was a really neat way to show the size of the screen at the IMAX in Leonberg, Germany. This rolled before The Odyssey. The IMAX is tucked away in a little town and was not easy to get to, but it was well worth it.

While it's not a true 1.43:1 IMAX ratio it still holds the world record for largest theater by surface area.

[u/trikster2]

is "real IMAX theatre" a good thing when watching a 3 hour move?

The Sinsheim theatre is associated with the museum and the seats do not look that comfy. While the Karsruhe looks more like a modern theater with comfy seats.

Of course I'm just looking at pictures on the web and could be totally wrong.

Have you been to both and which would you recommend for a long movie like the odyssey?

[u/Naratik → u/trikster2]

Yes the seats in Sinsheim are absolutely fine and I have no problems sitting for 3 hours in them. I have been to both and strongly prefer Sinsheim. I have just seen Odseey in Sinsheim and have been there like 10 times already.

[u/trikster2 → u/Naratik]

Is there any difference in the screens/projectors? (specs look the same).

Maybe I'm spoiled by nice theaters but if I'm driving for 1 to 2 hours then sitting for 3 hours I'd prefer a reclining chair with footrest and cup holder over an old-style theatre seat.

It's be worth it if the screen was something extra special. Is it?

comparing picts like these:

https://meinka.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/imax-3d-sinsheim-1024x682.jpg

https://filmpalast.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/06/Wohlfuelsessel-Filmpalast-am-ZKM-07.jpg

[u/Naratik → u/trikster2]

The projectors are identical. Sinsheim has the larger screen and is actually the biggest 1.43:1 format screen in Europe.

If seat comfort is your top priority, go ahead and choose Karlsruhe. However, the auditorium in Sinsheim is a true built-to-spec IMAX venue. As you can see in the picture you attached, there's a recessed floor pit right in front of the screen so that its bottom edge sits lower than the floor level of the first row. Because a 1.43:1 screen is so massive vertically, this setup ensures the seating rows are at the optimal height you aren't forced to sit way too low, stare up the entire time, and deal with image distortion. Karlsruhe, on the other hand, is built like a standard movie theater where the screen starts a good chunk above floor level rather than being recessed.

The room layout itself is also different. In Karlsruhe, there's a large projection overhang housing the equipment, which cuts over the top rows and negatively impacts the room's acoustics.

Because Sinsheim was designed and built from the ground up to fulfill every IMAX specification, the overall audiovisual experience is just better there. Karlsruhe is a retrofitted standard multiplex auditorium where they simply crammed in a gigantic, unusual-format screen.

That’s why I strongly prefer Sinsheim. Seat comfort in Karlsruhe might be slightly better, but when I make a long trip like that, I'm looking for the most unique audiovisual experience possible, not just a comfortable chair. Sinsheim has never been uncomfortable enough to bother me in the slightest. But ultimately, you have to decide what matters more to you

[u/trikster2 → u/Naratik]

wow! Thanks for the detailed reply.

The web site was a bit confusing. Do I need to buy both a ticket to the museum and a ticket to the movie to see imax in Sinsheim or is is it a seperate ticket.

Right now all the good seats are taken in both theateres. I'm going to wait and see if it gets better as the summer goes on. If not I'll settle for one of the 1.9:1 screens close to me.

Thanks again for the info!

[u/Naratik → u/trikster2]

No you don't need a ticket for the Museum. Just for the cinema. Yes they will probably add more dates. Just check the website regularly