Has UHD surpassed Movie Theatres? - Blu-ray Forum

Jbux · 05-24-2023, 11:21 PM

Went to the theatre the other day and I have to say, having gotten used to the inky blacks and clarity of UHD on an OLED screen, the image looked decidedly milky.

I also remember watching No Time To Die in the cinema and found a fight scene in a darkened room almost impossible to follow. This could just be poor choreography but I suspect it’s again the struggle to handle darkness with a projector. The darkness around the screen is much blacker than the blacks onscreen.

Anyone else been to the cinema and thought ‘this will look great on my OLED’?

Also, can cinema screens handle HDR, or is that another exclusive benefit of home cinema?

I still support cinemas and go when I can (although Hollywood rarely makes films I enjoy these days, but that’s another topic) but it really feels like the home cinema experience is becoming superior to the big screen

CreasyBear · 05-24-2023, 11:29 PM

Depends on the theater and quality of projection, but I'd still rather watch just about anything in even a less than stellar theater. It's about being in a dark room with strangers - a shared experience, more than anything.

Gacivory · 05-24-2023, 11:35 PM

No

Moviefan2k4 · 05-24-2023, 11:37 PM

I haven't been to a theater in almost a year, mainly because the nearest one is 30 minutes away and I don't drive. While I do have a kickass 65-inch HDTV, there's still some movies I would rather see for the first time in a cinema. For example, I'm seeing The Flash as close to opening day as I can; trying to avoid any more spoilers alone for the next three weeks is becoming a chore.

Lee A Stewart · 05-24-2023, 11:39 PM

Dolby Cinemas specialize in HDR. Have you ever been to one? Those that have say once you 've seen cinema projection at its best, it's very hard to go elsewhere.

https://www.dolby.com/experience/cinema/

Moviefan2k4 · 05-24-2023, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

Dolby Cinemas specialize in HDR. Have you ever been to one? Those that have say once you 've seen cinema projection at its best, it's very hard to go elsewhere.

https://www.dolby.com/experience/cinema/

I never went to a Dolby theater, but I did go to an IMAX showing of Iron Man 2, in 2010. The picture quality was outstanding, but the sound was so loud it kept snapping me out of the film. I had trouble paying attention to the story.

Sozo · 05-25-2023, 12:01 AM

I personally don't think so. If you can get a great experience as far as patrons go, there is no better way to watch movies than at a theater. It's an event. Walking through the corridors and down the halls filled with movie posters; the smell of the popcorn and the hustle of everyone trying to get to their theater. A bonus for me is that there are just fewer distractions. Obviously, you get difficult people doing disrespectful things from time to time, but I am more invested when I am at a theater. I can't change the channel; I can't get on my laptop and do work. It's just immersive for me. I love it.

So no, I don't think UHD has surpassed movie theaters.

MifuneFan · 05-25-2023, 12:05 AM

Most of the AMC theaters around me are using laser now, which makes a notable difference in terms of color and deep blacks. I've been used to it in the IMAX and Dolby Cinema screenings for many years, but even regular ones look really great now. With that said, a lot of art house theaters I've been to don't have as nice a screen, or even as big, but I still enjoy the theater experience more than just watching a film at home.

-JKR- · 05-25-2023, 12:20 AM

Luckily, where I live, theaters have mantained a very solid quality and standards.

Anyway, no.

filmbuffTX · 05-25-2023, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

Dolby Cinemas specialize in HDR. Have you ever been to one? Those that have say once you 've seen cinema projection at its best, it's very hard to go elsewhere.

https://www.dolby.com/experience/cinema/

The Projector Is Still On....

wonderer99 · 05-25-2023, 06:55 AM

My home theatre overtook a cinema seat a long time ago.

steve_dave · 05-25-2023, 07:51 AM

I don’t care how awesome your home theater is, there are some things a theatrical experience can only offer.

Hearing music cues or dialogue. I was too young to hear Holiday Road playing on theater speakers. Experiencing it in a theater while watching Vacation was awesome. I had a blast enjoying the original Dolby Stereo track for Alien in Regal’s RPX. And of course, “Avengers Assemble” followed by…

Audience reaction. Nothing like a shared experience and screaming, crying, and gasping with others is so much fun. The complete silence while watching A Quiet Place will never be replicated at home. The shared laughter during The Hangover.

My Cinemark has D-Box too and I’m not paying to add it to my house. So it was awesome to experience it with Charlie’s Angels (2019) and Midway was fun. So much so that I took my niece and nephews to experience Sonic The Hedgehog in D-Box.

Star Lord · 05-25-2023, 07:57 AM

Depends on the theater, but the communal experience outweighs the quality most of the times. However, last night I was shocked how well John Wick 4 looked on 4K HDR compared to my standard screening from two months ago.

s2mikey · 05-25-2023, 10:33 AM

As usual, It depends. The question certainly has validity now more than ever. If one has a premium OLED screen and solid sound system, the home experience is quite amazing. Sure, if you have a Walmart level LCD and a sound bar, no shit the theater is always better. Pausing and outright bailing is easier to do at home too.

.

As has been discussed many times, the theater experience also brings potential baggage with it. Rude people(from popcorn hoarkers to little kids to cell phone abusers)which seem more prevalent than ever. Endless trailers. Suspect image quality. Few other things too.

However, a big screen is a big screen. Seeing CERTAIN films with others like Star Wars movies and such is usually more fun. Although, one can watch at home with a few friends or relatives too. I’m not sure watching something with a bunch of strangers is that much of a guaranteed benefit. Depends on the film, I guess.

I still go to the theater for select films. But, it’s less than ever. A lot of that is the quality of the presentation at home. It isn’t the only reason but it’s a major one. Blu-ray is still great looking at home too, doesn’t have to be 4K. Had to throw that in there.

Martoto · 05-25-2023, 11:15 AM

UHD hasn't even replaced DVD or BD.

Steedeel · 05-25-2023, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martoto

UHD hasn't even replaced DVD or BD.

No what he means.

nickg · 05-25-2023, 12:11 PM

UHD i dont know. OLED? oh by far. the closest thing theaters have is the dolbly cinema but even it doesnt have true blacks like OLED does. Maybe on a technical level a good actual 4k master at a theater with theater encoding might have more detail than a 4k disc at home, but not much and even then if I dont have my glasses on i wont notice the detail difference. but oled colors i will notice. even without dolby vision and even in SDR oled colors just make theater colors look like anus.

originalHDphantom · 05-25-2023, 01:39 PM

UHDs?? Heck, regular 1080p Blu-rays in my home theater have surpassed movie theaters quite sometime ago.

RFK · 05-25-2023, 06:56 PM

Nothing can match the shared experience of sitting in a darkened theater with an audience of viewers all putting there hopes, dreams and imaginations on the magic of the screen.

John1701D · 05-25-2023, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RFK

Nothing can match the shared experience of sitting in a darkened theater with an audience of viewers all putting there hopes, dreams and imaginations on the magic of the screen.

05-24-2023, 11:21 PM	#1
Jbux Banned Member since:Dec 2022	Has UHD surpassed Movie Theatres? Went to the theatre the other day and I have to say, having gotten used to the inky blacks and clarity of UHD on an OLED screen, the image looked decidedly milky. I also remember watching No Time To Die in the cinema and found a fight scene in a darkened room almost impossible to follow. This could just be poor choreography but I suspect it’s again the struggle to handle darkness with a projector. The darkness around the screen is much blacker than the blacks onscreen. Anyone else been to the cinema and thought ‘this will look great on my OLED’? Also, can cinema screens handle HDR, or is that another exclusive benefit of home cinema? I still support cinemas and go when I can (although Hollywood rarely makes films I enjoy these days, but that’s another topic) but it really feels like the home cinema experience is becoming superior to the big screen

05-25-2023, 12:05 AM	#8
MifuneFan Blu-ray Emperor Top contributor Member since:Mar 2012 Location:New York City 4K collection:27 Blu-ray collection:1143 Trading Score:69	Most of the AMC theaters around me are using laser now, which makes a notable difference in terms of color and deep blacks. I've been used to it in the IMAX and Dolby Cinema screenings for many years, but even regular ones look really great now. With that said, a lot of art house theaters I've been to don't have as nice a screen, or even as big, but I still enjoy the theater experience more than just watching a film at home. Last edited by MifuneFan; 05-25-2023 at 12:13 AM.

05-24-2023, 11:29 PM	#2
CreasyBear Blu-ray Count Member since:Apr 2019 Trading Score:115	Depends on the theater and quality of projection, but I'd still rather watch just about anything in even a less than stellar theater. It's about being in a dark room with strangers - a shared experience, more than anything.

05-24-2023, 11:35 PM	#3
Gacivory Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Apr 2016 Location:Los Angeles, California 4K collection:1121 Blu-ray collection:5612 DVD collection:183 Digital collection:25 Trading Score:1	No

05-24-2023, 11:37 PM	#4
Moviefan2k4 Banned Member since:Mar 2010 Location:Montgomery, TX 4K collection:44 Blu-ray collection:317 Blu-ray reviews:5 Trading Score:2	I haven't been to a theater in almost a year, mainly because the nearest one is 30 minutes away and I don't drive. While I do have a kickass 65-inch HDTV, there's still some movies I would rather see for the first time in a cinema. For example, I'm seeing The Flash as close to opening day as I can; trying to avoid any more spoilers alone for the next three weeks is becoming a chore.

05-24-2023, 11:39 PM	#5
Lee A Stewart Blu-ray Baron Member since:Jan 2019 Location:Albuquerque, NM	Dolby Cinemas specialize in HDR. Have you ever been to one? Those that have say once you 've seen cinema projection at its best, it's very hard to go elsewhere. https://www.dolby.com/experience/cinema/

05-25-2023, 12:01 AM	#7
Sozo Blu-ray Guru Member since:Apr 2012 Location:Kentucky 4K collection:16 Blu-ray collection:117 Trading Score:100	I personally don't think so. If you can get a great experience as far as patrons go, there is no better way to watch movies than at a theater. It's an event. Walking through the corridors and down the halls filled with movie posters; the smell of the popcorn and the hustle of everyone trying to get to their theater. A bonus for me is that there are just fewer distractions. Obviously, you get difficult people doing disrespectful things from time to time, but I am more invested when I am at a theater. I can't change the channel; I can't get on my laptop and do work. It's just immersive for me. I love it. So no, I don't think UHD has surpassed movie theaters.

05-25-2023, 12:20 AM	#9
-JKR- Banned Member since:Jul 2014	Luckily, where I live, theaters have mantained a very solid quality and standards. Anyway, no.

05-25-2023, 06:55 AM	#11
wonderer99 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Apr 2010	My home theatre overtook a cinema seat a long time ago.

05-25-2023, 07:51 AM	#12
steve_dave Blu-ray Duke Member since:Nov 2008 Trading Score:21	I don’t care how awesome your home theater is, there are some things a theatrical experience can only offer. Hearing music cues or dialogue. I was too young to hear Holiday Road playing on theater speakers. Experiencing it in a theater while watching Vacation was awesome. I had a blast enjoying the original Dolby Stereo track for Alien in Regal’s RPX. And of course, “Avengers Assemble” followed by… Audience reaction. Nothing like a shared experience and screaming, crying, and gasping with others is so much fun. The complete silence while watching A Quiet Place will never be replicated at home. The shared laughter during The Hangover. My Cinemark has D-Box too and I’m not paying to add it to my house. So it was awesome to experience it with Charlie’s Angels (2019) and Midway was fun. So much so that I took my niece and nephews to experience Sonic The Hedgehog in D-Box.

05-25-2023, 07:57 AM	#13
Star Lord Blu-ray Champion Member since:Mar 2017 Location:Knowhere 4K collection:34 Blu-ray collection:177	Depends on the theater, but the communal experience outweighs the quality most of the times. However, last night I was shocked how well John Wick 4 looked on 4K HDR compared to my standard screening from two months ago.

05-25-2023, 10:33 AM	#14
s2mikey Banned Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Upstate, NY 4K collection:130 Blu-ray collection:303 Trading Score:40	As usual, It depends. The question certainly has validity now more than ever. If one has a premium OLED screen and solid sound system, the home experience is quite amazing. Sure, if you have a Walmart level LCD and a sound bar, no shit the theater is always better. Pausing and outright bailing is easier to do at home too. . As has been discussed many times, the theater experience also brings potential baggage with it. Rude people(from popcorn hoarkers to little kids to cell phone abusers)which seem more prevalent than ever. Endless trailers. Suspect image quality. Few other things too. However, a big screen is a big screen. Seeing CERTAIN films with others like Star Wars movies and such is usually more fun. Although, one can watch at home with a few friends or relatives too. I’m not sure watching something with a bunch of strangers is that much of a guaranteed benefit. Depends on the film, I guess. I still go to the theater for select films. But, it’s less than ever. A lot of that is the quality of the presentation at home. It isn’t the only reason but it’s a major one. Blu-ray is still great looking at home too, doesn’t have to be 4K. Had to throw that in there.

05-25-2023, 11:15 AM	#15
Martoto Blu-ray Duke Member since:Mar 2014 Location:Glasgow Blu-ray reviews: 7	UHD hasn't even replaced DVD or BD.

05-25-2023, 12:11 PM	#17
nickg Senior Member Member since:Aug 2019	UHD i dont know. OLED? oh by far. the closest thing theaters have is the dolbly cinema but even it doesnt have true blacks like OLED does. Maybe on a technical level a good actual 4k master at a theater with theater encoding might have more detail than a 4k disc at home, but not much and even then if I dont have my glasses on i wont notice the detail difference. but oled colors i will notice. even without dolby vision and even in SDR oled colors just make theater colors look like anus.

05-25-2023, 01:39 PM	#18
originalHDphantom Blu-ray Guru Member since:Mar 2015 Location:Canada 4K collection:293 Blu-ray collection:4314 DVD collection:679 Digital collection:54 Blu-ray reviews: 27	UHDs?? Heck, regular 1080p Blu-rays in my home theater have surpassed movie theaters quite sometime ago.

05-25-2023, 06:56 PM	#19
RFK Blu-ray Guru Member since:Apr 2015	Nothing can match the shared experience of sitting in a darkened theater with an audience of viewers all putting there hopes, dreams and imaginations on the magic of the screen.

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