Theater or Home Theater?

[matthewrounds]

I have recently come to the conclusion that there are very few titles in which I have to see in the theater. Titles like 300, Spider Man 3, and PoTC are a must, but other titles like Shrek 3 and Oceans 13 new releases this weekend are not that much better in the theater than watching these at home on my TV. I also cannot justify the paying of $10+ for a movie ticket for these titles when I am going to buy the BD when they are released. I am just wondering what everyone else thinks. How do you decide when to go to the theater v. waiting for the BD release? I also am not sure the picture quality is that much better at a theater than in my home. The sound quality is almost always better at the theater, but who cares about sound quality when your watching a comedy like the upcoming Adam Sandler film, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. I know this is a crazy idea but I will throw it out there, I believe HD content could ruin the movie theater industry.

[Filterlab]

I always wait for the home release as I'm not really keen on the cinema. Ok, so the screen is big but frankly everything else is a bit naff.

For example, unless one sits dead centre (i.e. the Premium rate seats) the sound is always a bit skewed. In addition it's almost always poorer quality than a decent home set-up.

Also at home one is never subjected to other people's idea of quiet. No matter what the film is there'll always be some fool who rustles or chats through the entirety.

So definitely at home for me.

[cheto2k7]

I tried to go to the theatre only for major releases. Like POTC 3, Spiderman 3 but most of the time, I wait for the BD release and watch at home where no one is annoying me. I'm very happy with my 46 LCD bravia, yamaha receiver, bose speaker system and my leather recliners.

[Deciazulado]

Sadly, I went tonight to a showing of Shrek 3. I had watched Shrek and Shrek 2 last week for the first time on DVD. Reminded me why I don't go to theaters much anymore. When 440i looks better that your local theater's 35mm projection is a sad state of affairs. And the sound seemed almost narrowed into mono. At least theaters have the big audience which makes you enjoy the movie experience much more.

[MatrixS2000]

Hands down, no contest - I prefer watching movie in my HT.

I measure my screen in ft, so I have a big screen.

I have great sound thanks to LPCM.

I have comfort.

I have quiet.

I have beer in the fridge!

[Filterlab]

Originally Posted by MatrixS2000

I have comfort.

I have quiet.

I have beer in the fridge!

The most important bits.

[Jim L]

Ticket prices are getting higher and higher, so I have greatly curtailed my viewing at theaters. I would rather save the $10+ bucks towards the Blu-ray when it comes out.

Now it's only the major flicks that I know I am really going to enjoy on the big screen.

• Casino Royale
• 300
• Bridge to Terabithia
• Spiderman 3
• Pirates of the Carribbean 3

In the case of these I can overlook annoyances of theater-going (out-of-control kids, sticky floors, overpriced stale popcorn, and rude people who get and make cell-phone calls during the movie).

[buckshot]

I love going to the drive in movie theater in santee CA. 2 movies (the first movie being shown a second time after the 2nd movie) $6 per adult ($3 for a child) and the audio is broadcast over fm so if you have a good car stereo it sounds nice. but I still only see a few movies there. its also nice that everyone is seperated from each other so no ringing cellphones or crying babies, unless they are your own. make sure you clean your windshield though.

other than SM3, POTC3, F4 2, and transformers I can't see myself going to see any others this summer.

[NutsAboutPS3]

I hate watching movies in cinemas. The sound quality is invariably terrible with under-powered equipment set to far too high a volume for its capabilities. And the picture is often soft due to it being deliberately defocused to get rid of the grain. I wish they'd release on Blu-ray at the same time as release to cinemas.

[MasterXeus]

I go see only want I think will look great on the bigscreen. I personally like watch movies in the comfort of my own home, but it's nice to get out of the house for a while.

Also Rave Motion Pictures in my area recently upgrade all their projections to DLP. 300 was my first movie in these new Digital Projections, the picture quality was perfect, it was even better than watching 300 at IMAX. Sound quality was really good too, but I'm guess that's because the Rave is fairly new.

Has anyone else watch a movie on these new DLP- Digital Projections?

[Aaron]

The theater isn't just about picture and audio quality, it's about the fun, friends, and girls!

[Blu_Ray_UK2007]

Home.. no doubt!
I have been to the cinema maybe once in the last 3 years!

My PQ is better, My sound is just as good, no noise.... blah blah.

Plus as others have said I dont like paying to see a film then paying again to own it.. i'd rather wait.

And last time I went it was £3.50 for a bottle of Becks.. or about 56p for a can of beer at home? I know which one ill take!

[Aaron]

I go once a week with friends. We have a small, family-owned theater, it's 5$ a ticket for blockbuster movies. It's a good price, and it's fun, but you get what you pay for, standard def screen, and half-decent surround sound.

[ra1024]

I still enjoy going to cinemas mainly for seeing a movie months before it hits dvd/br. It's not the quality so much as the big screen and seeing it early.

As for the comment about HD ruining the theater business, I think it's already happenning to a degree. I read that theaters went widescreen originally to compete with tv and I think they're now going 3D to compete with home theaters. There's a new 3D technology that's gaining ground and I think that will help them in the long run as it seems to be a more mature 3D technology and not just used for gimmicks.

[Filterlab]

Originally Posted by AaronDavies

....it's about the fun, friends, and girls!

Trust me, it's never a good idea to pick up a girl in a darkened room. It hits all the harder when one reaches the stark lighting of the lobby.

[haiku_aubade]

it all depends for me... i'm very selective on which movies i will see at the theater and which ones i would rent. I don't usually buy movies unless i've already watched them and know i can watch them over and over again. I rarely buy a movie that i've never watched.

[jubaiweaponx]

the movie goer #`s have been down ,granted the summer blockbusters have brought in the $$$$ and some suprises ,but I have to say i`m all about home theater no noises,cell phones ,cold beer is nice,I have to say I get a giddy feeling like daffy duck when he`s shrunken in that clam shell hording the pearl at the end of a bugs bunny cartoon, where he`s like it`s mine ,mine all mine ,I`m a wealthy miser ,LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jubaiweaponx]

Originally Posted by Filterlab

Trust me, it's never a good idea to pick up a girl in a darkened room. It hits all the harder when one reaches the stark lighting of the lobby.

I never dated a spanish chick before ,OOHHLAY!!!!

[rmatt]

I have 2 kids so the only movies I see in theaters are movies with a superhero or movies with the Pixar name slapped on it. When it comes to movies my wife and I like to watch, it is well worth the wait for the Blu-ray release.

[amason]

I went to the movies last weekend to see Pirates 3. I have not been to the movies in like 6+ months. I will never go again. The movie theater I go to is a really nice one but after watch Pirates 3, I will never go to the movies again. The sound was not as good and the video was a little too bright. My setup at home for sound is a lot cleaner and video is sharper and clearer. Then you have the seating, my seats recline and I have a lot more room to move around. Can't forget the people, I have one guy pickup is cell phone and start talking to someone for about 5 minutes and a kid right behind me ask his father all these questions about why he did this and what if he did that, throughout the movie. I will wait the extra 3 or 4 months and buy them.