Amazon offers some movies labeled "4K IMAX Enhanced." These versions feature remastered picture and sound designed for supported 4K TVs and home theater equipment.
What does 4K IMAX Enhanced offer?
Feature | What you get |
|---|---|
4K | Higher-resolution picture |
HDR | Improved brightness, contrast, and color |
IMAX Enhanced picture | Picture remastered to IMAX standards |
IMAX Enhanced audio | Enhanced sound on supported equipment |
Expanded IMAX picture | Some IMAX presentations use a taller picture that fills more of a 16:9 screen |
Please note:
Availability of 4K resolution and enhanced audio depends on the streaming service, device, and browser. For details, see our FAQ: 4K, Dolby Atmos, and Audio Output with Clearplay.
Will I see the expanded IMAX picture?
In our testing when viewed through Google Chrome, 4K IMAX Enhanced movies retained the theatrical widescreen presentation, including the black bars at the top and bottom of a 16:9 screen.
For example, compare the Amazon versions of Ghostbusters II below.
4K IMAX Enhanced:
Theatrical:
Both versions show essentially the same picture and framing. The 4K IMAX Enhanced version does not show additional picture above or below the theatrical version.
What do I get when watching with Clearplay?
To filter Amazon movies with Clearplay, you must watch through Google Chrome on a supported Windows PC or Mac.
Browser playback does not provide most of the premium features associated with Amazon's 4K IMAX Enhanced versions.
Feature | Amazon in Google Chrome |
4K | No |
HDR | No |
IMAX Enhanced picture quality | |
IMAX Enhanced audio | No |
Expanded IMAX picture | Typically not provided |
Should I pay extra for 4K IMAX Enhanced?
If you are buying a movie specifically to watch with Clearplay, there is no noticeable benefit to paying extra for the 4K IMAX Enhanced version.
When watching through Google Chrome, you’ll see the same widescreen framing without 4K, HDR, or IMAX Enhanced audio.
If a less expensive HD version of the same movie works with Clearplay, it will provide a similar viewing experience.
The 4K IMAX Enhanced version makes more sense if you also plan to watch the movie without Clearplay using supported 4K home theater equipment.