My take on my new blu-ray experience vs. "The Big Screen"

[jjklongisland]

OK, I thought I would start a thread regarding blu ray owners and their feelings about comparing there home theatres and going to the actual movie theater.

Last night I went to the movies to see Valkyrie which is the first time I have gone to the theaters since I have hooked up my Blu-Ray. First let me start by saying I was practically raised in a movie theater. My dad, his father and two brothers are in the movie industry so it was always a family affair. My grandfather who at one time was VP of Projection and Sound for Paramount Pictures had a real movie theater in his basement. Not what we have today, He had an actual film projector and monster screen with the latest audio and visual technology at the time. It was insane. I have still yet to see a home theater that could surpass his. He actually had his house raised 2 feet to allow for a 12' basement. My father who worked for United Artist at the time, had access to almost any movie print so we would watch them at my grandfathers house since they were both qualified projectionists. So as you can see, my thirty years on this earth had alot to do with the movies. I think I saw almost every movie of the late 80's all the way through the late 90's until I was old enough to go the bars...lol. My two Uncles own a lighting, projection and sound company that installs that newest form of projectors and sound in these theaters today. As you can see my experience with the movie world is quite large.

Now that the preamble is over, getting back to my thread; I went to the movies last night and immediately started comparing the picture quality of the movie house versus my home theater. Now I know alot of home theater nits would rather watch a movie in there own home in which they have invested alot of money into but the "Big Screen" is still an experience in its own right. While the sound quality of a good movie house is hard to surpass with its 15 speakers on either side and rack systems with digital amplifiers etc, I think the visual end of things are not as good as my blu-ray.

I guess what I am trying to conclude is, the movies at the theaters are no longer superior to the technology now offered to the consumer. This frightens me. Will the movie industry eventually die out? Probably not for a long while but with the prices of going to the movies today, (now I still get in for free) but to most people its awefully pricey. It cost me $17 for a medium soda, medium popcorn, and a pack of twizzlers. Absolutely ridiculous.

It is of my opinion that residential home theaters can now actually surpass the big screen.

On a last note, to all you Blu Ray junkies out there, Valkyie if you havent scene it, will most likely be the "Top Gun" of blu ray. I mean basically that the opening scene of the movie just like in top gun, is audio and vissually a masterpiece that will show off your expensive systems to there greatest potential.

I guess now that my rant/rave/blog is done I am curious to hear your opinions regarding the "Big Screen".

[Rob J in WNY]

I doubt that the movie industry will completely die out. First and foremost, there are too many hundreds of millions of dollars (often PER movie) to be made in the theaters.

I agree that in the comfort of your own home, you have all the control over your PQ, AQ, personal comfort, refreshments/breaks, but the public theater is where it all begins, and the primary purpose and drive of the cinematic movie entertainment industry.

Think about it. There were some pretty nice numbers for several films here in the current US economic recession. Even during the Great Depression, families went to the theater for entertainment.

I'm sure that someone will come in and expound how cinematic theaters provide considerably more image detail than 1080 does.

- Rob J

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by jjklongisland

I guess what I am trying to conclude is, the movies at the theaters are no longer superior to the technology now offered to the consumer. This frightens me. Will the movie industry eventually die out? Probably not for a long while but with the prices of going to the movies today, (now I still get in for free) but to most people its awefully pricey. It cost me $17 for a medium soda, medium popcorn, and a pack of twizzlers. Absolutely ridiculous.

It is of my opinion that residential home theaters can now actually surpass the big screen.

The last time I saw a movie at the theater was the original "Hulk", when I swore a mighty oath not to get suckered into a theater again.

I got a 70" Sony, a very good beginning home theater speaker setup, and never looked back.

In discussing movies with folks, it appears that going to the theater is a good way to get out of the house, and enjoy the flavor of the week, with a bunch of "excitement about seeing the latest" blah blah blah.

Most of these folks wouldn't care if the thing was out of focus, or had monaural sound. So I don't know if they're going to die or not. It's really immaterial to me, if the film gets released on video.

Even more interesting is the breathless horse race statistics given by the media on the weekend take at the box office for movies, as if it was some kind of weekly election. These reports - issued by the same people who own the studios, for the most part - mean nothing. The overhead cost for keeping a theater open are pretty high - far higher than the cost of a disc. There is much higher profit in video, another thing ringing the eventual bell of doom for theaters.

The biggest thing keeping them alive is the fact that home theater, with really large screens, is impractical for many people, and hellishly expensive. Considering that utter crap is being issued to the theaters nowadays, never to be viewed twice by most people, but generating a few thousand per weekend by people running out of stuffy apartments in sheer boredom, means they'll still be around for a while.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

I doubt that the movie industry will completely die out. First and foremost, there are too many hundreds of millions of dollars (often PER movie) to be made in the theaters.

But not in the all-important Per Screen category. A run of turkeys can kill a small theater - $2K to $3K per week in gross sales, minus costs for the film rental and overhead, has killed many, many venues. It's not big money to make $50 million, on 10,000 theaters.

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

I agree that in the comfort of your own home, you have all the control over your PQ, AQ, personal comfort, refreshments/breaks, but the public theater is where it all begins, and the primary purpose and drive of the cinematic movie entertainment industry.

This begs the question: Why? What's the reason? Why aren't there simultaneous releases of films to hi-def video as well as the screens? Why six month delays for releases?

Why is this "where it all begins"? It's not a law of nature, or even financially very profitable.

The world is changing. "Buzz" on a film used to be word of mouth - now, it's the Internet and various media outlets. The studio system is still trying to come to grips with the new paradigm - note the recent battles between the studios and the directors, screenwriters, and actors unions, who realize where the real money is. It sure isn't in a three-week run at the local popcorn vendor in some suburban mall.

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

Think about it. There were some pretty nice numbers for several films here in the current US economic recession. Even during the Great Depression, families went to the theater for entertainment.

Where else could they go? Could they watch TV in the early 1930's? Did they have any other entertainment options, or even a method of transportation to get there? The world has changed.

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

I'm sure that someone will come in and expound how cinematic theaters provide considerably more image detail than 1080 does.

When properly set up. This is rare, and horror stories from industry insiders about crappy screenings even for industry events proves this out.

Here's the thing: A guy walking out of Best Buy with an HTIB, a Dynex 42", and a cheapie player primarily used for upscaling 15 year old DVD's isn't going to rival the experience at the local mall's five-plex. The day when most people have the kind of gear the aficiandos at this website have, is still pretty far off.

But the day when studios defer the income they get for The Dark Knight for months, with lower overhead from video releases than from theater releases, is ending. At this point, studios don't tote the note for keeping theaters open; it's cheap to release a movie to theaters, and more expensive to press millions of copies of Blu's. But the returns are just too small.

If they go to video, their distributors and the theater owners will scream - but who will care? They're not feeding the bulldog, and this will become increasingly obvious.

[Jenksu]

Originally Posted by jjklongisland

the "Big Screen" is still an experience in its own right. While the sound quality of a good movie house is hard to surpass with its 15 speakers on either side and rack systems with digital amplifiers etc, I think the visual end of things are not as good as my blu-ray.

I guess what I am trying to conclude is, the movies at the theaters are no longer superior to the technology now offered to the consumer. This frightens me. Will the movie industry eventually die out? Probably not for a long while but with the prices of going to the movies today, (now I still get in for free) but to most people its awefully pricey. It cost me $17 for a medium soda, medium popcorn, and a pack of twizzlers. Absolutely ridiculous.

It is of my opinion that residential home theaters can now actually surpass the big screen.

On a last note, to all you Blu Ray junkies out there, Valkyie if you havent scene it, will most likely be the "Top Gun" of blu ray. I mean basically that the opening scene of the movie just like in top gun, is audio and vissually a masterpiece that will show off your expensive systems to there greatest potential.

I guess now that my rant/rave/blog is done I am curious to hear your opinions regarding the "Big Screen".

NOW, that's just it only what a public theater can offer is the 'BIG SCREEN'!!!

I agree as well, that in the comfort of your own home, you have all the control over your PQ, AQ, personal comfort, refreshments and hassle free drama. Their is no comparison too high definition!!!!

[Eldorado]

I went to see Valkyrie on New Year's Eve while visiting relatives. I dozed off out of boredom. The big screen movie theater experience (in Houston) did nothing for me, except for the fact that I almost broke my neck in some spilled soda on the floor. I came back home and watched "Priceless", a fun french movie about two hustlers in my Blu-Ray equipped home theater. One-hundred inch screen, perfect sound, no coughing people, my own snacks, my own timing. Theaters will die a slow death, but will die eventually. More precisely, theatres will be there for the people who still watch standard definition TV, still have a VCR to watch their tape collection, and can't set up the proper aspect ratio on their wide screen TVs because the screen should be filled 100%, distortion be damned.

For the discriminating people like us, I foresee early Blu-Ray released athe same time as movies (for a premium), giving way eventually to same day release of HD downloads when technology improves. Until then, is my basement for me. Valkyrie, not even on VHS.

[DavidAg02]

Equipment wise, most people will never be able (or willing) to match the experience of a movie theater in their own home. We are on this forum because we are movie/home theater enthusiasts, and it's easy to forget that not everyone feels the same about our hobby as we do.

There is one aspect of home theater has always and will always be superior to a movie house experience... a controlled environment. It is so annoying to me to pay good money to go see a movie only to have some idiot talking on their cell phone during the movie, a screaming child, sticky floors, people walking in front of you, etc.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by DavidAg02

There is one aspect of home theater has always and will always be superior to a movie house experience... a controlled environment. It is so annoying to me to pay good money to go see a movie only to have some idiot talking on their cell phone during the movie, a screaming child, sticky floors, people walking in front of you, etc.

That is the one major aspect I so enjoy. I do go to the theater but I go less and less every year.

And if at one point they did offer me the chance to buy a BD on the same day it got release in theather for $60 instead of the 20$ I would get later down the road, yes I would probably buy it right away and forgo the theater.

[Sherm]

I went to see Valkyrie on christmas day with my son. The theater was packed I was elbow to elbow the entire movie. It cost me 37.50 to be miserable. I swore that day I will always wait until it's out on Blu-ray.

From my system I get a lot Better SQ,PQ, cheaper popcorn and I miss nothing during the bathroom breaks,,,,,,,,,, LIFE IS GOOD !!

[obiwopkenobi62]

As others have said, everytime I do decide to go to the theater all I get is aggravated. I have a system that beats my Local theater with my popcorn machine and all the other treats. When I watched the dark Knight at home on Blu-ray it was a way better experience. PQ and AQ were outstanding compared to the theater. I wouldn't have a problem so much with theaters if they would use their equipment properly and learn how to calibrate it.

[thelegend69697]

I find the quality of my Blu-rays at home far better than what is in theatres. Now the theatres here are not digital yet. But still, I go to a movie maybe once a year and really can't stand the whole experience. But I suppose there are alot of people who will continue to go see movies on the big screen for many years to come. On a side note, aren't alot of major studios going to be making 3-D movies in order to be one up on what you can watch in your home?

[Sherm]

Originally Posted by thelegend69697

I find the quality of my Blu-rays at home far better than what is in theatres. Now the theatres here are not digital yet. But still, I go to a movie maybe once a year and really can't stand the whole experience. But I suppose there are alot of people who will continue to go see movies on the big screen for many years to come. On a side note, aren't alot of major studios going to be making 3-D movies in order to be one up on what you can watch in your home?

I read an article from a VP at Panasonic. He said the next thing is thinner, frameless and 3D.

I just installed my HT, in 5 YRs when 3D comes out it will be a boat anchor.

[jjklongisland]

Originally Posted by thelegend69697

I find the quality of my Blu-rays at home far better than what is in theatres. Now the theatres here are not digital yet. But still, I go to a movie maybe once a year and really can't stand the whole experience. But I suppose there are alot of people who will continue to go see movies on the big screen for many years to come. On a side note, aren't alot of major studios going to be making 3-D movies in order to be one up on what you can watch in your home?

Yes the movie industry is trying to A; switch to a digital format and B; go 3D. Alot of the problems that movie enthusiests cannot stand while going to theaters is the constant distractions within the theater itself. With technology allowing annoying cell phone texters and kids not actually doing anything like sports or acutal activities, the theaters can be a dissappointment. When I was a kid going to the movies was a family experience and I was never alloud to make a peep in the theater. The lack of respect that todays youth possess in my opinion is part of the annoyance.

What ever happened to the "Drivethru". A part of the American Culture that the youth of today will never have experienced. I remember watching the Fly from inside my dads station wagon in Westbury, NY. We didnt care about high fidelity or THX certified sound, just a night out with the family or maybe a girlfriend (wink wink)...

[neos_peace]

Personlly, the only reason anymore that I might go to the movie's in the theater. LOL is to see wether or not I actually want to own the movie in the first place. Of course there are a few films that I bnlind buy becasue I just know I'm going to wan them. Iron man was one of them. But generally I don't think the theater experince wil ever die out for one main reason. Untill HTS become so mainstream and at a price that say maybe 80% of veiwers can afford. There will always be the need for the theater in our hearts. Becasue they can see it for $20-$50 (ticket price, and snacks, and the number of people ive or take) while geting a good enough system which could range from $1000 plus to $10,000 or so. They wil still want the theater. Just my 2cents is all.

[STARSCREAM]

Well, having a 15 month old daughter has really put a stop to our theater going habits. Wife and I used to go alot. Now though with Blu-ray's awesome pq and aq it doesn't make us too mad to wait it out for new releases we want to sse bad. The main reason my wife and I ever go to the theater anymore is for a "date" night to get outta the house and actually do something together just the 2 of us. We plan around though when the theaters are usually packed like the weekends so we miss all the people. Only other times I go are when my buddy and I go to midnight showing of things like Indiana Jones where we cannot wait.

[Clark Kent]

I have a suspicion that outside of event movies that the rich will withdraw more and more from the movie theaters and into their own private homes for movie watching. Movie theaters will still survive on the people that really can not afford a nice home theater and demographic groups that want to leave the house anyway like teenagers (who will do anything to get out of the house). It is a changing marketplace.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by jjklongisland

Will the movie industry eventually die out?

It is of my opinion that residential home theaters can now actually surpass the big screen.

Yes but - how many can AFFORD them? I've never met a soul with anything resembling a HT outside of me and my father.

[Rob J in WNY]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

But not in the all-important Per Screen category. A run of turkeys can kill a small theater - $2K to $3K per week in gross sales, minus costs for the film rental and overhead, has killed many, many venues. It's not big money to make $50 million, on 10,000 theaters.



This begs the question: Why? What's the reason? Why aren't there simultaneous releases of films to hi-def video as well as the screens? Why six month delays for releases?

Why is this "where it all begins"? It's not a law of nature, or even financially very profitable.

The world is changing. "Buzz" on a film used to be word of mouth - now, it's the Internet and various media outlets. The studio system is still trying to come to grips with the new paradigm - note the recent battles between the studios and the directors, screenwriters, and actors unions, who realize where the real money is. It sure isn't in a three-week run at the local popcorn vendor in some suburban mall.



Where else could they go? Could they watch TV in the early 1930's? Did they have any other entertainment options, or even a method of transportation to get there? The world has changed.



When properly set up. This is rare, and horror stories from industry insiders about crappy screenings even for industry events proves this out.

Here's the thing: A guy walking out of Best Buy with an HTIB, a Dynex 42", and a cheapie player primarily used for upscaling 15 year old DVD's isn't going to rival the experience at the local mall's five-plex. The day when most people have the kind of gear the aficiandos at this website have, is still pretty far off.

But the day when studios defer the income they get for The Dark Knight for months, with lower overhead from video releases than from theater releases, is ending. At this point, studios don't tote the note for keeping theaters open; it's cheap to release a movie to theaters, and more expensive to press millions of copies of Blu's. But the returns are just too small.

If they go to video, their distributors and the theater owners will scream - but who will care? They're not feeding the bulldog, and this will become increasingly obvious.

Blu-Dog,

Good points, all, but I was talking about the movie-makers themselves making millions per picture. Granted, some movies don't recoup production costs, but many do - phenominally. Yes, of course, the individual theaters can falter, but others thrive. Quality operations and careful, smart management are the keys to preventing it from happening - like any good business. The movie theaters are good business. Individual houses don't have to show every movie, and often don't, but no business is free of blunders and mistakes. Good management will overcome those times and keep the patrons happy and satisfied as best they can - like any good business.

Why not release right to media? Because, for the most part, the movie makers' intentions are for the big screens first, producing the greater profit-yield. The "big screen" is not merely a forensic element in the industry. It's a part of the magic. And theater builds anticipation for media release. It's the way of the business. It doesn't HAVE to be, but that's the way it is. I can't imagine any large movie house spending $200 million in production to announce a movie's availability as a DVD or BD right off. Speculation at this point, but in doing so, IMHO, would not result in nearly the media hype necessary to achieve success (and greatest profit potential).

My point about people going to the movies during the depression era was that many people were still interested in theater and spent money to go in those hard times. Today, many people are going through hard times, and some movies, such as "The Dark Knight" were standout blockbusters. Certainly those of us here are among those who have made the expense of owning wonderful equipment and have become very knowledgeable about it, but it's greek to most people at this time. However, everyone knows the fun of going to the movies, and off they go, enjoying the big screen with their friends and families, and it drives the movie industry on. Media releases are, at this time, only a part of the equation.

It's a fact that you could not take your glorious 40", 50" or 60" 1080 picture and stretch it across a 50 foot screen without compromising image quality. What I meant was that cinematic video at a movie theater contains far more image detail (4X and even much greater), and that someone here might mention it (with the oft-seen comparison image). Yes, I have been to theaters where the PQ/AQ was not fully optimized in many respects. Most everyone on these forums will be of the sort who love movies at home, where comfort, convenience, control and an extremely high degree of personal satisfaction far outweigh their preference for public theaters. But most people out there are not of this sort, and if it really is yet to come, then you may be right, but it's a long way off, yet.

Indeed, the world is changing. At one point in the past, I'm sure that someone might be burned at the stake for saying things like "Not long from now, we'll be able to talk to someone half way around the world, from the comfort of our own homes, without raising our voices." Today (and for many decades now), it has been true! Of course, the future is open! Who knows what the future will bring, but the big cinema screen is still the starting place for movies, and I'm going to guess that's not going to change anytime soon, no matter what squabbles those involved have in our age of modern interaction. Whatever those changes may be, I hope I'm around to be a part of them and offer my own thoughts on them.

I stand behind the idea that the theaters will be around for some time to come. Thanks for reading!

- Rob J

[b15nut]

My daughter just turned 2 so my wife and I have been pretty much out of theater going for 3 years. We have seen 3 movies in the theaters in 3 years and two of those were in the last month lol The only reason we go is to get out of the house when we have a sitter and we go to the early showing because its not worth spending 10/person for tickets when the BD disc will cost that much in a few months.

I do not have the worlds greatest HT but my ears and eyes can not tell a meaningful difference between the two venues.

[junglalien]

The last time I paid money to see a film was The Dark Knight at a multiplex. It looked horrible. It really made me proud of my setup at home. With the eCash from the Bond Blu-rays I went to see QoS. Again it looked horrible compared to watching a blu-ray at home. I will never goto the theaters again. Even if its free. It is just a waste of time. I don't even have a projector yet. Just a Sony HDTV and Denon AVR with 5.1 speakers.