Home theater vs. movie theater
By Richard Lawler 
posted Apr 11th 2006 10:11AM
posted Apr 11th 2006 10:11AM
First M Night Shyamalan, and
now this
guy. Going on and on about "the theater experience" and what viewing movies at home can't hope to match.
There's always somebody who (to me at least) feels their theater going way of life is threatened by HDTV, home theaters
and the like. As a result, there is a list of reasons why movie theaters rock. I was quite unsatisfied with his list so
of course, I made my own.Why home theaters rock:
- The little
screen: No bad seats in the house. Last time I went to see a movie on opening night, I showed up late and
ended up in the first row needing a neck brace. No such thing here, my favorite seat is always available and perfectly
positioned the way I want it. Someday all theaters will have digital projectors for a consistently high quality show,
but not yet. If you need something larger, grab a projector and find the largest wall you have, problem solved.
- No interruptions (unless I want there to be):: If a cellphone goes off during a movie at home, I don't have to wonder what idiot forgot to turn his phone off, I know who it was and I can answer it if I want, the movie goes on pause and waits dutifully for my return. Try getting the projector operator to back up a few minutes because your mom wanted to know how you're doing and why you never call.
- Big sound: I've got big speakers and a little apartment. Only the best theater systems rumble the seats in a similar fashion (with bonus banging from my downstairs neighbors). Ok seriously, this is at best a push, movie theaters may have better sound systems, but mine is personally calibrated to my liking and I can usually get a DVD commentary or two.
- The loner factor: When I've got a movie I really want to see, I'd rather see it by myself without anyone else around to know that I cried at the end of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. On the rare occasions I do want to watch movies with others, I can, but only the people I want to, and not that one guy who always wants to talk about a review of the movie he read while watching the movie.
- Any food I want: And this
time, my mother didn't have to sneak an overfilled purse past the usher to get it. That popcorn he's drooling over?
Costs like 5 bucks at the theater, a third of the price and always just right at home. And all the Jujubes I want.
- No cleanup: At my personal theater, we have a "come as you are" policy, without all those silly public indecency violations mainstream moviehouses try to hit you with. An added bonus is that you don't have to step in the popcorn and soda some other guy gleefully didn't clean up.
- Miss the hype: I never feel ripped off at the end of a movie because I know all about it before I see it. Nobody ships a DVD to stores before giving reviewers a chance to watch it, unlike theater releases (Ultraviolet we are talking to you.) I don't feel the need to see "THE #1 COMEDY/HORROR/GAY COWBOY movie in America" just because everyone else is watching it. If its good I'll catch it when it comes on cable, thanks.
- No bad seating: We mostly covered this with number one, but we'll say it again, there is nowhere in the world more comfortable than the couch. And if you need theater style seating, just go visit Hoyty, he won't mind.
- No coming attractions: The newspaper said the movie started at 10 p.m., but it's 10:20 and you're watching a trailer for something that is not the movie you paid to see. Thanks but no thanks, when I want to see a trailer I'll hit apple.com or fire up my Xbox 360.
- Pirated movies are freaking sweet: First of all the price is unbeatable, plus you can get stuff thats not necessarily available in the U.S. I saw Cowboy Bebop more than a year before it came out in theaters and loved every illegal minute of it.
- The immersion factor is
controllable: Anyone who says you have to see a movie in a theater to get the full experience is a liar. This
one is really a combination of many of the above, and the best part of a home theater. Whatever you want to be enhanced
in your experience is at your discretion. You can watch whatever cut of the movie you want, jump from scene to scene,
turn on the lights during the scary parts, anything you choose. You be the director, that guy Spielberg is a hack
anyway.
[Via digg]
here here!
I agree totally with the above, the last 3 times I went to the cinema it was full of 14-16 year old chavs shouting and throwing stuff all the way through them, the staff did nothing.
As for the "Pirated Movies Are Freaking Sweet", well said, it's about time someone realised they're not all really bad pictures and sound (I download them, but if I like it I'll buy it on DVD, why should I spend fifteen quid on something if I don't know if I'll like it or not!)
Sounds like you haven't listened to a decent home theatre. I'll address your points individually.
1. Your perception of screen size is due to size and where you sit. In a HT if your screen is 110 inches it looks huge from say 8-10ft away.
2. Interruption are more controllable in your own HT. No talking or cell phones going off if you don't want.
3. Big Sound? I've never heard a normal Theatre do down to 20hz but I've heard plenty of HT with HSU and SVS subs easily going down to 20hz at refrence level. The most jaw dropping HT I've seen was a system with Revel speakers. Blew away any Theatre I've heard.
4. Meh...I'm there for the movies.
5. Forget the popcorn. At home you can eat or drink anything YOU want.
6. Depends on how sloppy you are.
7. You can do the same with a HT. I don't sit around gabbing to strangers about a movie.
8. In a Theatre you never have a spot guaranteed in the "sweet spot" You do in YOUR HT.
9. www.apple.com/trailers thank you.
10. Neither is really relevant here. HT owners are looking for high quality media playback. This is a bit of filler.
11. Immersion is a factor of many things. Audio visuals how good the story is. I've been immersed into a movie on a 27" TV. That's good filmmaking.
I love watching movies but if you and Hollywood think that a movie theater is the best way to watch a movie you're just fooling yourself and haven't heard even a good sub $10k HT which blows most Theaters away in sound and with HD-DVD and Blu-Ray coming the quality at home is coming.
@ number 2, I think you've mis-read, or not read at all, the story is pro-home theartre, not against it
There's definately something to be said about going to the theater. It is an "experience" that is different than the home theater version. Unfortunately that "experience" has gone down hill over the past 20 years. Movie theaters have replaced union projectionists with teenagers. I rarely get a print that's as flawless as an HD movie at home.
Personally I think the hollywood people should adapt and attempt to actually innovate for once in their life. Take the Steven Soderberg approach. Release a movie in the theater, on dvd and over HD-Net all on the same day. Take a look to see what the consumer actually wants. I wish every movie was released that way. I'd still probably see a few in the theaters but overall I'd still continue to watch them all at home. Netflix is my friend.
Movie downloads are going to be the future.
LOL
;-) Thanks for playing, #2!
Maff Mace
I responded to the original article with my own points. Richard's points are excellent as well. I know...confusing but I'm to going to register at the other site just to post my view on this.
My HT is superior on every axis to movie theaters I have visited lately. Even discounting the obvious convenience factors, basically the picture when viewing HD is superior (movie theaters seem to have forgotten how to properly focus their projectors), and the audio blows away the theater, both in terms of bass (I've got a large SVS subwoofer in a small rom), and quality of the surround (which I have carefully tuned for my viewing position).
I agree with a lot that is said here. The only thing that would make me go see a movie is a good movie (rare these days in mainstream movie houses). You can't compare an under $10K HT to viewing something like Star Wars III on the big screen. Funny how ppl talk about lack of content being a reason not to get a HDTV...well hell then, why in world are you wasting $10 a pop on some lame movie?
Just saw Inside Man last night. The Auburn WA Theater has better than avg sound and nice screen but let's be honest. 3 weeks after the premier showing, the film begin degrade. Nice for that "film effect" but wait until you see a 1080p projector with a Blue Laser device. I'm still going to go see the big movies and interesting movies but let's be honest $9 a ticket is painful for a movie that doesn't live up to expectations.
The last movie I saw at a theater was "Batman Begins". The film was badly degraded. It was full of scratches and washed out, it looked awful.
The night after I saw it, I saw the trailer on TV. I've got a digital TV, so the trailer was DVD quality (but not HD). I was amazed at how GOOD the picture was, and was kind of sad that the movie that I saw looked so bad.
Movie theaters need to stop f-ing around and go digital. Bad PQ is totally unacceptable in the age of 1080p at home!
More reasons why I prefer my Home theater....
1. I can start the movie at my own convenient time.
2. No long lines to wait through.
3. It's cheaper to buy the DVD than to take myself and the kids to the movies. (Plus you can see the movie more than once. Most theaters don't even allow that anymore.)
4. No traffic to drive through.
5. No worries as to where to park, or "Where did I park!"
6. Saves gasoline.
7. If 'nature calls', you want to grab more to eat, or got to beat the kids for misbehaving,,, hit the pause button! Try that in a theater!
8. And the couch! Yes, it was already mentioned, but it can't be over-stated. aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!
You forgot one...
You have to goto a movie theater during the first few days of the release unless you want to see a handful of scratches, jump-cuts, etc. Until more theaters have digital projectors, our HT setups using DVD or HD input have consistent picture quality at every showing.
The average ticket price for a movie in the US is around $6.50. The cost for a home theater system that would simulate the experience offered by a movie theater runs into thousands and thousands of dollars: divide that by $6.50.
First, let me say that I'm pro-HT. I used to go to the new Boylston cinema in Boston with my wife rather frequently. We both love movies. Now that we are homeowners, the HT experience is far better than a movie theater for all the reasons listed here and more.
I'd like to add two more reasons:
1. No sticky floors!
2. The resolution of digital projection is obvious if you sit in the lower half of the theater. It's just like buying an HDTV that is too big for your living room. It's way too easy to sit too close to the screen during a digital projection. I saw Episode II digitally and on film. The digital picture looked worse because I could see the individual pixels. I sat near the middle of the theater for both viewings and the film viewing was much nicer. This was a new movie theater with all the latest and greatest, too.
As much as I still want to enjoy the "theatrical experience," modern society seems intent on spoiling my every opportunity. To me, there's nothing like seeing a Serenity with a packed house full of rabid fans -- as long as they remember to shut the hell up so I can hear the darn movie.
I say the theater companies are mainly to blame for the gradual worsening of the "theatrical experience." There's only so many commercials / cell phones / chatterers / overpriced concessions a person can take, regardless of how much s/he still loves a night at the multiplex.
For me, "theatrical" is my introduction to a movie. I had a ball seeing King Kong '05 on the big screen. But DVD is for the long haul. (I've already watched KK twice since I got the DVD, and the big hairy thing just keeps getting better.)
I will NEVER see a movie in the theater again. I just wanted to say that.
Even with a modest 52" Mitsubishi and HT system (which I will un-humbly say is dialed in as close to perfect as it can get :p ), I really don't miss much over a theater.
I watched Constantine and the picture quality was just wonderful, dare I say better than most theaters.
Once I get a front projector, and am able to get my HT system setup better, theaters won't have a chance!
I agree with all points except #10. It is wrong to promote the illegal stealing of movies.
I'll give you that Jay, however, while stealing may be wrong, that doesn't mean it doesn't feel good, or maybe i'm just a bad person, lol.
I was really jsut trying to follow his points, I wouldn't include bootlegs as a real feature of the home theater anyway, anyone who is serious about their experience probably wouldn't be satisfied with a bootleg.
Everyone makes good points, and I can't argue with any of them, yet I still think the theater is the best way to see a movie.
The main reason is the social aspect of movies. There is an energy to an audience and when you see a movie with the right crowd there is nothing better. Comedies are better as the audience grows. You end up laughing at scenes you merely chuckled at before. I just saw "Thank You for Smoking" in a relatively empty theater. The movie is really good, but I felt that it would have been more enjoyable to me had there been a full house.
The other reason is the big screen. And this is dependent on the person being able to get to a theater with a big screen. Growing up I only saw "The Shining" and "Bladerunner" on the small screen. I got a chance to see them on the big screen later on, and the difference was staggering.
HT viewing is nice and controlled, and a little selfish. There are communal benefits to mass viewing. If you deny that you are most likely kidding yourself.
Batman Begins on opening day in IMAX was an experience I will not soon get in a home theater.
In response to 13.
6.50? Not even close. I have a wife and child. That is $19.50. Popcorn, candy, pop, dinner before. Try $60-$75 add some exended family who always stops by our house, now you are about $150-$175
Bucket of chicken, 2 liter of pop, New DVD. $30. $15 if I rent it. That is a one day $140-$160 difference.
So take my 10 grand and divide it by $140
That is 71. I'm over 300 so I'm making money each time I don't go out, and I don't feel ripped off if the movie was a flop or the movie was faded or I had to use the mens room at a cruicial juncture.
Just not worth it.
I gave that idiot at Cinema Fusion a bit to chew on:
Reading this was about as bad as my experience with used-car salesmen. The main features of the theater experience can all be faithfully recreated or surpassed at home. The picture, sound, comfort are all on par or superior to what is available at the theater.
Are you trying to convince me that my sofa is less comfortable than the nasty chairs in the theater or that cupholder make a huge difference? Give me a break!
You might as well have thrown in that the theater experience is better because it gives you a chance to get some exercise by having to stand and wait in line.
Pathetic. Totally pathetic.
I agree. For most of it. There are experiences I've had in a theater, where watching a movie was more intense 'cause I'm sitting in the dark with an auditorium full of strangers. You have nothing to focus on except the movie. However....
.... theatre chains have done it to themselves. They're not offering a product which is worth what they are charging, their staff is poorly trained, the equipment is not up to par and the manners of theater goers has declined sharply over the past decade. I only have a good experience at a theater once a year when the Film Festival is in town; otherwise it's having to hear someone talking or cell phones going off. Just as irritating is someone flashing their bright phone screen in the dark theater.
My LCD has a better resolution and the sound is clear and loud enough for me. I’ve had many great nights of movie watching with friends. And if they talk I can tell them to shut the hell up.
Like a crowd to make you laugh? Invite your friends!!
On my 12' screen, it's as good as a theater. Think of all the money every ones saves watching the movie at a HT. So it costs money up front. Wouldn't you spend money on a decent TV and sound system anyway?
Ultimately, it is not more costly! Not at all!
And the couch! Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!
I miss the good community experience when I watch the theater at home.
When I was in college was the first time I saw Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in a group experience. I had grown up liking the film, having seen it on TV, but gained an entirely new appreciation for the film by being in a partially full theater singing along while following the bouncing ball over the words on the screen.
One of the things that I neer saw mentioned was the issue with what to do with your coat in a standard theater. The temperature in a standard theater varies significantly depending on how many warm bodies are in it. If I walk or ride a motorcycle to a theater I'm defintely wearnign a bulky jacket. (Motorcycle includes a helmet, and likely small bag.) In a cinema, I require a second seat for my gear most of the time. Predicting if there may be one available is a pain in itself.
In general I have a better experience at home, with my 60 inch widescreen TV that I'm only sitting aroung 72 inches from, with full surround sound and a big subwoofer. If the movies were supplied in 1080i (or 1080p) then the quality would be that much better.
OK, OK,
I LOVE THE THEATER BECAUSE SOMETIMES ITS FUNNY TO HEAR PEOPLE I THOUGHT WOULD NOT CRY AT A MOVIE (BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN)I heard all kinda different sniff's oh and its great for people watching.
HOWEVER WITH NEWER and LESS EXP PROJECTORS OPTOMO HD72 (1080p) I saw the same movie alone in my HT. WOW! Before I didnt hear the wind blowing in at the Reg Theater but with my 7.1 surround WOW. Only funny thing this time I was the one crying at BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN.
u forgot that u can pres pause to pee and most importantly you can freaking SMOKE at home
i do prefer a home theater.. but a great one.. 62" plasma.. 7.1 THX DTS home theater.. the factor that i can pause or do whatever i want while the movie is on.. is the best thing imho
Neal Saferstein