Enhanced by IMAX

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MORE THAN any other category of home theater gear, A/V receivers are subject to an ever-evolving list of “must have” technologies. The required logos for each of these licensed features now forms a long row extending the full width of most receivers, with IMAX Enhanced counting as the latest logo gunning for real estate on any AVR that wants to be up-to-date. But figuring out just what IMAX Enhanced means can be a bit tricky, because it’s really more like an ecosystem that encompasses a number of different enhancements, and requires the participation of several different product categories.

First and foremost, IMAX Enhanced is a certification program covering both source material and hardware, so along with A/V receivers, TVs, projectors, and even content on Ultra HD Blu Ray and streaming services can carry the IMAX Enhanced logo. Unlike other certification programs—THX, for example—IMAX Enhanced is a bit vague about the technical requirements for certification. One key difference that sets it apart from THX, however, is the way the various components work together when combined in a system.