Arcam has joined the likes of Denon and Marantz in becoming part of the much-anticipated IMAX ‘Enhanced’ licensing and certification home entertainment programme.
Since its official launch in September, IMAX and DTS have been steadily recruiting and growing its IMAX Enhanced video encoding platform, designed to offer the optimum UHD quality on behalf of its noise reduction technology.
Back then Sound United (i.e. Denon and Marantz) were unveiled as some of the first to come onboard as licensees, in addition to Sony Electronics (& Sony Pictures) and Paramount Pictures. Since then, Arcam has come to the fold, and with the announcement it has also unveiled its first IMAX Enhanced products. These will come in the form of four Arcam AV receivers (the AVR390, AVR550, AVR850 and AV860), available immediately.
What exactly does this mean in terms of performance? Essentially, that the receivers meet the standards put in place by a committee of IMAX and DTS engineers and technical specialists working for some of the industry’s Hollywood studios. The end result being the delivery of IMAX digitally re-mastered 4K HDR content, and IMAX signature sound mixes (by DTS).
The specific IMAX Mode and accompanying bespoke DTS:X codec is specifically intended to suit and maximise the dynamic range offered by IMAX theatrical sound mixes in the home, according to its creators.
Arcam’s products will soon be joined by the Marantz SR6013, SR7013, SR8012 and AV7705 models and Denon’s AVR-X4500H and AVR-X6500H are due in early 2019 (in select territories). Watch this space for more news on what content will receive the ‘IMAX Enhanced’ treatment first as announcements are expected imminently.