What is the thrill in watching your Home Theatre in the dark? - Blu-ray Forum

Automission · 12-23-2008, 05:47 PM

It seems people don't take this seriously. This post is 100% serious.

I never really got this. Sure it's like a cinema, but surely watching your TV in the dark will only cause you eye strain. In the long term, this will no doubt make your eye sight worse, meaning the expensive HDTV you bought won't have as good a picture, due to your dodgy eyes!
Just like having your speakers way too loud, your hearing will be damaged to much to hear it properly!

So if someone can clear up the attraction to this, it'd be great. A discussion on the dark experience of home theatres!

drago3451 · 12-23-2008, 05:53 PM

I guess it would depend on your individual system. If you have a large front projection system you have to turn the lights off to get the best picture. If you have a small LCD set you dont really need to turn the lights off.

Pelican170 · 12-23-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Automission

I never really got this. Sure it's like a cinema, but surely watching your TV in the dark will only cause you eye strain. In the long term, this will no doubt make your eye sight worse, meaning the expensive HDTV you bought won't have as good a picture, due to your dodgy eyes!
Just like having your speakers way too loud, your hearing will be damaged to much to hear it properly!

So if someone can clear up the attraction to this, it'd be great. A discussion on the dark experience of home theatres!

LOL, show me some medical evidence that tells that watching tv in the dark makes your eye sight worse. Thats like saying sitting too close to the tv will make it worse... and the movie theaters are being sued left and right for ruining peoples eyes, dont goo!!!

Automission · 12-23-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelican170

LOL, show me some medical evidence that tells that watching tv in the dark makes your eye sight worse. Thats like saying sitting too close to the tv will make it worse...

Erm, it will.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0425015643.htm

Quote:

In general, the surrounding illumination resulted in ratings of less visual discomfort, fatigue, and eyestrain, less frequent blink rates, and shorter durations of time between the presentation of a stimulus and brain wave responses.

So a well lit room, results in less discomfort to your eyes. I also assumed it was a given that sitting four inches from a 50" HDTV will do your eyes more damage than sitting from a safe distance. I was taught that at age six.

dobyblue · 12-24-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Automission

I also assumed it was a given that sitting four inches from a 50" HDTV will do your eyes more damage than sitting from a safe distance. I was taught that at age six.

Wow they had 50" TV's, nevermind HD ones, when you were six?
How old are you? I feel old.
When I was six nobody had a TV that was bigger than around 25".

doctorsteve · 12-24-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Automission

Erm, it will.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0425015643.htm

So a well lit room, results in less discomfort to your eyes. I also assumed it was a given that sitting four inches from a 50" HDTV will do your eyes more damage than sitting from a safe distance. I was taught that at age six.

“However, only subjective ratings of difficulty focusing and of sleepiness, and the reduction in the duration between the stimulus onset and an electrophysiological brain response showed statistically significant differences between the two conditions.”

1) You were taught MANY things at age six. Near work carried out by people of any age will cause a strain on the focusing system if done for long periods of time. For work at arm's length or closer, a break from that near work every 45 min -1 hr. is recommended. Increased rates of Rx change can happen, especially for nearsighted children. But these are relatively minor. But it doesn't DAMAGE or RUIN the eye.

2) SUBJECTIVE ratings? That means they asked people 'scale of 1 to 10 - how strained do your eyes feel', and 'scale of 1 to 10 - how much longer did it seem to take to click the button'. Subjective responses have no place in a scientific paper, and if subjective responses are the only ones that had a 'statistically significant' difference - it means there's no actual proof, just participants' opinions.

Listen there are alot af variables here, but the point is - watching in the dark doesn't damage your eyes, so your assertion that your vision will get worse is just simply wrong. Sorry to be blunt.

Doc

owa · 12-23-2008, 06:06 PM

I'm having trouble telling if your post is serious or not but if so...

I watch TV, movies, etc. mostly in the dark (or very low-light) trying to make it so that all I see is the picture. I just prefer it that way and always have.

I thought that was an old wives' tale so I don't believe that watching TV in the dark is harmful. But, checking online, you can find info saying it's not good to do and info saying it's fine to do so who knows. I just know it doesn't seem to bother my eyes.

Pelican170 · 12-23-2008, 06:12 PM

hahah that article talks about fatigue and eye strain, not ruining your eye sight...

Automission · 12-23-2008, 06:13 PM

Yes, but eye strain can lead to eye problems. You seem unwilling to accept this due to your own ways. If you strain a muscle, and keep straining it over and over, it's not going to be fine, is it? The same applies to eyes.

Rovic · 12-23-2008, 06:16 PM

lol...i enjoy what i have now not worrying on what could happend...if i go blind a few years from now...so be it....i haven't felt any side effects or "strain" as you call it, but if doesn't happend...oh well...tomorrow will be another day....

Lacit170 · 12-23-2008, 06:18 PM

WOW... i am now stupider for having read this thread.... Automission... do you not drive at night either??

Ive been watching tv in the dark now for basically my whole life and my eyes are as good as theyve always been/.... your argument is paper thin... you seem a bit paranoid

tacoreed · 12-23-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lacit170

WOW... i am now stupider for having read this thread.... Automission... do you not drive at night either??

Ive been watching tv in the dark now for basically my whole life and my eyes are as good as theyve always been/.... your argument is paper thin... you seem a bit paranoid

I agree. I have bad eyesight, but it is hereditary. Movies in the dark Rule.

owa · 12-23-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Automission

Yes, but eye strain can lead to eye problems. You seem unwilling to accept this due to your own ways. If you strain a muscle, and keep straining it over and over, it's not going to be fine, is it? The same applies to eyes.

The eye isn't like a muscle though.

Pelican170 · 12-23-2008, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owa

The eye isn't like a muscle though.

exactly - eyes are organs

Automission · 12-23-2008, 06:20 PM

True, but I only used that as an analogy. And its true, you do drive at night, but car lights don't change from dark to light suddenly, with strobing effects, or flashing images. It's a fairly constant level of light, so your eyes don't strain from constantly adjusting to the amount of light entering the retina.

Pelican, I get it. You don't care about it. Fine. You've made a contribution, now stop trying to say "Hey look everyone, this guy is stupid, let's all insult him!"

Pelican170 · 12-23-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Automission

Yes, but eye strain can lead to eye problems. You seem unwilling to accept this due to your own ways. If you strain a muscle, and keep straining it over and over, it's not going to be fine, is it? The same applies to eyes.

thats a bunch of horse crap lol. show me some proof that people are going blind by watching too much tv in the dark. im unwilling to accept it because its false and you have no evidence of true medical records to prove this "theory" of your true...

kevinbr100 · 12-23-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelican170

hahah that article talks about fatigue and eye strain, not ruining your eye sight...

haha and the "study" cited by the article was done by a LIGHTING company

.

probably already been mentioned since I did not read the whole thread, but darkness helps focus everything on the picture, the film becomes more immersive, there are less visual distractions. And i actually think that very dim light, not total darkness, is actually less strain on the eye than a brightly lit room,

btf1980 · 12-23-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinbr100

haha and the "study" cited by the article was done by a LIGHTING company

It's kind of like how people love to quote the study that states that chocolate is an aphrodisiac. The part they always forget to mention is that the study was funded by Hershey I believe.

Canada · 12-23-2008, 08:10 PM

I always watch movies and play most video games in the dark. I agree that listening to movies/music to loud is bad for your hearing and that watching movies in compleat darkness is not great. I however don't think there any where near the same thing. I think listening to movies/music at deafening levels is more comparable to looking directly at the sun or using a blow torch without a tinted shield.

Pelican170 · 12-23-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada

I always watch movies and play most video games in the dark. I agree that listening to movies/music to loud is bad for your hearing and that watching movies in compleat darkness is not great. I however don't think there any where near the same thing. I think listening to movies/music at deafening levels is more comparable to looking directly at the sun or using a blow torch without a tinted shield.

I thought the tinted shield for a blow torch was just to guard your eyes from the sparks when welding?

View Poll Results: Do you watch your Home Theatre in the dark?
Yes	108	62.43%
No	9	5.20%
Sometimes, but not always	56	32.37%
Voters: 173. You may not vote on this poll

12-23-2008, 05:47 PM	#1
Automission Active Member Member since:Jul 2008 Location:England	What is the thrill in watching your Home Theatre in the dark? It seems people don't take this seriously. This post is 100% serious. I never really got this. Sure it's like a cinema, but surely watching your TV in the dark will only cause you eye strain. In the long term, this will no doubt make your eye sight worse, meaning the expensive HDTV you bought won't have as good a picture, due to your dodgy eyes! Just like having your speakers way too loud, your hearing will be damaged to much to hear it properly! So if someone can clear up the attraction to this, it'd be great. A discussion on the dark experience of home theatres! Last edited by Automission; 12-23-2008 at 06:12 PM.

12-23-2008, 06:18 PM	#11
Lacit170 Blu-ray Count Member since:Jun 2008 Location:CT 4K collection:101 Blu-ray collection:732 DVD collection:261 Trading Score:1	WOW... i am now stupider for having read this thread.... Automission... do you not drive at night either?? Ive been watching tv in the dark now for basically my whole life and my eyes are as good as theyve always been/.... your argument is paper thin... you seem a bit paranoid Last edited by Lacit170; 12-23-2008 at 06:36 PM.

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12-23-2008, 05:53 PM	#2
drago3451 Senior Member Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Home Theater Gallery:12 4K collection:3 Blu-ray collection:426 Blu-ray reviews:1	I guess it would depend on your individual system. If you have a large front projection system you have to turn the lights off to get the best picture. If you have a small LCD set you dont really need to turn the lights off.

12-23-2008, 06:06 PM	#7
owa Blu-ray Knight Member since:Apr 2007 Blu-ray reviews: 96	I'm having trouble telling if your post is serious or not but if so... I watch TV, movies, etc. mostly in the dark (or very low-light) trying to make it so that all I see is the picture. I just prefer it that way and always have. I thought that was an old wives' tale so I don't believe that watching TV in the dark is harmful. But, checking online, you can find info saying it's not good to do and info saying it's fine to do so who knows. I just know it doesn't seem to bother my eyes.

12-23-2008, 06:12 PM	#8
Pelican170 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Newtown, CT 4K collection:129 Blu-ray collection:737 DVD collection:256 Trading Score:13	hahah that article talks about fatigue and eye strain, not ruining your eye sight...

12-23-2008, 06:13 PM	#9
Automission Active Member Member since:Jul 2008 Location:England	Yes, but eye strain can lead to eye problems. You seem unwilling to accept this due to your own ways. If you strain a muscle, and keep straining it over and over, it's not going to be fine, is it? The same applies to eyes.

12-23-2008, 06:16 PM	#10
Rovic Expert Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Orange County, CA Home Theater Gallery:22 Blu-ray collection:252 Blu-ray reviews: 1	lol...i enjoy what i have now not worrying on what could happend...if i go blind a few years from now...so be it....i haven't felt any side effects or "strain" as you call it, but if doesn't happend...oh well...tomorrow will be another day....

12-23-2008, 06:20 PM	#15
Automission Active Member Member since:Jul 2008 Location:England	True, but I only used that as an analogy. And its true, you do drive at night, but car lights don't change from dark to light suddenly, with strobing effects, or flashing images. It's a fairly constant level of light, so your eyes don't strain from constantly adjusting to the amount of light entering the retina. Pelican, I get it. You don't care about it. Fine. You've made a contribution, now stop trying to say "Hey look everyone, this guy is stupid, let's all insult him!"

12-23-2008, 08:10 PM	#19
Canada Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Victoria, BC Home Theater Gallery:17 4K collection:306 Blu-ray collection:1204 DVD collection:37 Blu-ray reviews:42	I always watch movies and play most video games in the dark. I agree that listening to movies/music to loud is bad for your hearing and that watching movies in compleat darkness is not great. I however don't think there any where near the same thing. I think listening to movies/music at deafening levels is more comparable to looking directly at the sun or using a blow torch without a tinted shield.

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