Home Theater -vs- Movie Theater

LordGamer

Well folks, with HD becoming more and more popular along with surround sound systems, and HD disc players launching next year, what is your current stance...

Do you prefer to just watch movies at home in your own freedom and comfort? Or do you enjoy going to your local movie theater more?

I was reading a post from another thread and started wondering if there is going to be much point anymore going to a movie theater. Already (to my knowledge), sales are dropping fast for local movie theaters for various reasons. With new technology, there is becoming less and less reason to go out and pay $10 or so per person and $5 per each popcorn kernel ...only to sit next to 17 year old Jill that can't get off her cell phone or 7 year old Jack that won't stop moving (for the record, adults are just as annoying).

Especially, when the movie goes from big screen to your home (DVD) in about three to six months max. I remember when it would take a year or more, before you saw a movie on DVD or VHS (after being released in movie theaters). Then, while working in retail, I noticed the time became shorter and shorter. Usually, when I want to go see a movie, I normally get side tracked, a bit lazy, or simply forget. And when I do realize I wanted to see a particular movie and check to see if it's still playing, I find out it's been released on DVD for weeks.

For example... The Brothers Grimm. That was released in the movie theaters, right? I swear a couple months ago I was watching a trailer for it on Apple.com, before it was even out in the movie theaters.

So, in summary... Do you guys and gals see yourselves going to local movie theaters much in 2006, do you even go now? It would be a bit weird, but I could see how all movie theaters would be dropped to "drive-in" status, then eventually disappear for ever.

The only advantage I gave to the big screen, was just that, it's a big screen. I have felt some movies should be viewed on the large screen first, to appreciate all the movie's glory.

However, recently, I started looking at big HDTVs (for when I move) and noticed the big @ss 72" from Toshiba. 60" seemed plenty to me...then the tech virus started to kick in...now I want that sexy beast. Um, but back to my point... HDTVs themselves are getting pretty d@mn big. Granted, not even close to the big screen size, but relative to room dimensions, it evens out (and lets not forget the home projectors).

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SLedford

I may go see Narnia at the theater, but average less than one movie at the theater per year. It is actually cheaper to buy the DVD than to take the family.

Movie at home - looks & sounds great, movie starts when everyone is ready, can stop the movie for bathroom breaks, snacks are free (well, sort of), can watch the movie several times, DVD has bonus features.

Movie at theater - more expensive for family than buying DVD, movie goes on if kids have to go to bathroom, must be at theater at their starting time, snacks are very expensive, people whisper, answer cell phones, etc.

The movie studios are going to have to re-invent the wheel on theaters. My suggestion would be to have a "Theater Special Edition" DVD only available for those going to the movie theater. You watch the movie on the screen and take home a DVD with the movie and bonus features. Since they are eliminating the Best Buys, etc. the theaters can cut the DVD price and still make money.

My impression is that the recording industry is totally out of touch with reality. There is speculation that high definition DVD may require a DIVX like phone hookup in order to work. The CD makers are at a loss as to why people don't buy CDs anymore. Customers are not looked on as good guys buying thier product but as potential thieves.

maicaw

35mm film is about 11 megapixels when done the way the pros print it - 6 to 10 times the resolution of HDTV and 35 times DVD resolution (0.3 megapix per frame(1080i is 2megapix per frame and 720p is 1 megapix per frame - (wizard bait) -- even if it is renderd to 4x for editing - it's still many times better than HT sources - Not that I think it's a better experience in the Cinema - It's just that all the cinematic technology doesn't begin to transfer to HT via current media and networks.- not even Blu-ray - it's still HDTV - I'll just keep on renting the DVDs and buying the Superbits until someone brings 4x or 35mm 11 megapix to my HT

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LordGamer

I agree, but I still don't blame these companies. How are they able to make a profit and still allow freedom? It's a tough question.

With the technology available to your average Joe, anyone is able to duplicate or copy a product without paying. It's sort of like they're d@mned either way.
---

Back to the topic, you made another valid point, cost. It is much more cost effective (especially for families) to simply buy a DVD then it would be to go to the movies.

I'm sure I don't have an understanding of film as you do, but if your technical info is correct, it seems to be a moot point. Partly, because the size from a theater screen vs an HDTV. If the resolution is indeed six to ten times more than HD, I imagine it would need to be due to the size of the screen.

Similar reason as to why you wouldn't notice a difference between 720p and 1080p on a 17" screen. While it may hold up technically, what people see is completely different. There are people that could look at you with a straight face and say they don't notice a difference between standard def and HD.

And don't forget the distance. It's a big factor from sitting ten yards or more and ten feet.

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LordGamer Profile - George Carlin, R.I.P. 06.22.08

HD Qualifications...
-- Westinghouse 47" 1080p LCD (LVM-47w1)
-- Scientific Atlanta HD Receiver & DVR (8300HD), Comcast
-- Sony Playstation 3 -- Microsoft Xbox 360

borromini

I would rather stay at home since I use a front projector and have a 102" image that provides about the same immersive experience as the cinema. If I had an RPTV or flat panel, I probably would visit the cinema more often for that theater experience, but with front projectors, the desire to stay home is unavoidable...this will only get better when high-def DVDs become popular.

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SLedford

Companies do have a right to make a profit and I have supported that for years by buying only original DVDs & CDs. I do not have anything that is illegal or "semi-legal". And I have never let anyone copy one of my CDs.

With regards to the CD industry, they have a pricing / product problem. CDs cost $10 - $15 at Best Buy but frequently there is only one or two songs on the album that I want. This issue is huge with younger folks who grew up with the idea that music was "free" because of Napster, etc. The music industry has addressed this somewhat by allowing for pay music downloads, but more needs to be done. My feeling is that the pricing model has changed. The CD that is not selling at the $10 - $15 price range might do quite well at $5. Selling a million CDs (which probably cost under $1 to produce) at $5 yields a lot more than selling a hundred thousand at $10.

The video industry is facing similar issues. I am excited about the idea of high definition DVDs. But some of the possible security issues (which may just be rumors) may keep me in the DVD camp. The two (again, just rumors for now) that concern me the most are the possibility that I must be connected to a phone line (DIVX again) and that my expensive HD player might be disabled if some piece of software thinks I have something illegal in my machine.

All of this is off-topic. I agree with borromini - the "watch it at home" crowd will get a boost with the enhanced picture (and sound) in high definition DVDs. A problem for the movie industry that I do not know how they will handle. A nimble industry would just adjust and thrive, but the movie industry is more like a dinosour than a cheetah - not very nimble.

coyote

This all is true enough.

HOWEVER.... the studios are now on the 3rd remake of King Kong. The Producers has gone from film to stage and back to film. Most of the movies my wife rents aren't worth the DVD rental fee and 20 minutes I sit through, let alone spending all that $$$ on theater tickets and crap theater food.

What I'm saying is: There's a paucity of good material, and an incredible overabundance of dreck. No amount of cinematic detail makes up for it. So the home theatre is at least as appropriate as any movie theater.

mfabien

In recent weeks I recorded "Chicago" from CBCHD with a bitrate of 16.6 Mbps. Still have it on the DVR and no Theater could convince me that they would have a better picture quality for that movie given my viewing conditions of 15 feet away from a 57" screen.

Last weekend ABCHD showed us "Sound of Music" in HD. The picture quality of this 1965 movie was simply super. My ABCHD is picked up from Buffalo by my cable provider and the bitrate is not up to par but it was quite acceptable.

Present DVDs do not offer the picture excellence of a movie theater but we do have great sound quality, especially pictures with DTS surround audio. The sound compensates.

In spite of your comments, you end your post by saying:

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maicaw

well that's my point too - I enjoy the HDTV and DVDs on a 110" HT screen @ 1280x720 - or in the case of CRT 1920x1280 -much more than I do in the "ambience" of a multiplex- but I realize I am not seeing the cinematic vision of the Director or DP when I view a DVD or HDTV broadcast of a theatrical released movie using non-cinema sources (DVD/HDTV)- I'm not thinking of "direct to video" or other such mediocre fare -
Regarding the other post about how the big theatre screen compromises the visual field and resolution to the equivalent of watching a HT screen - think about that again - does nature look like your HT screen - If it does -you need new glasses-

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leevitalone

I have a 34" HD Sony, 100w X 5 integra multi-channel input / DD/DTS/THX - Polk audiox 5.1 w 150 w psw. I have found sitting in my home, with a bowl of food, and a cold beer at hand, is superior to shelling out for terrible popcarn that cost as much as the movie/and a drink, cell phone talk/people behind you who saw it and you tell them to be quiet, and they are just kids who ignore you, and various other things you have to put up with in public- I need a very good reason to go to the movies. When I get the big proj. screen soon, there will be no reason to spend my $ on the above. I did break down for the last 3 Star Wars could not wait. and we just got very nice theaters in our area, with huge screens, and all the extras/ I still sit home!

leevitalone

want to adopt me? I'm clean and smell nice.

maicaw

check his shots and papers and get him neutered if you do!

Eddie501

Moviegoing seems to have become more of an aggravation than a pleasure for most people. The last movie I went to, I got there 45 minutes early and still found it difficult to get a good seat. Then had to sit through 20-25 minutes of commercials and previews. This is not even considering people who find it impossible not to speak for 2 hrs.

What would get me back would be the return of the grand old movie palace with ONE screen & state of the art projection and sound. We used to have one, and I'd drive an hour just to see a movie there. But they tore it down & now the only place to see movies is at the 16 screen megaplex. Which means you either see it in the first couple of weeks or it's downgraded to one of the auditoriums about the size of my garage.

Oh yeah, and better movies.

Webby_s

No debate on good or bad movies as of late, here. Just my own experience.

The one thing that strikes me is price. I have spent over $4000 on my systems and movies (that being genorous) and whatever. And with movies coming out so much quicker now.

So my girlfriend and I went to the movie the other night (Harry Potter ) and the thing is just under 3 hours long. She fell asleep for at least 20 min. of it. Hell I didn't care really cuz she paid, but that is one of the reasons right there: Where is the rewind button. Where is the pause. And like said up-thread where is the beer.

I also can say I have never illegally downloaded any movie, music on the other had may be a different story but I like my movies in the nice package and the insert and all. We may all soon get used to the movie packaging being like music cds that have (or will) vanish.

So more power to the Home Theater and the freedom there is! And hurry up on those Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players now!

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maicaw

The part that's best-- is - It's close to midnite - feel like a double feature and the multiplexes are done - the world is sleeping - time for some escape - fire up the projector and just pull out what ever feels good- -plop into a favorite soft -worn -leather chair and enjoy - as they say in the movies - you are what you love-

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My HDTV equipment is certified organic - mostly plastic
No genetically modified electrons or photons are used in it's operation
RocketMan -- Tambourine Man -- Lucy {userName=1},{P/w=1}