Physical & Digital EST: The Future of Home Video Discussion Thread

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Here are the links that I used in my original post about direct view cinema; the first is from 2018 and the second from 2022:

https://www.cinematech.today/index.p...he-real-world/

https://www.redsharknews.com/hdr-led...mas-using-them

thanks, that 2018 article was what I was thinking about "The installation of the first Samsung screen in a Hollywood post house (Roundabout in Santa Monica) " with my comment of many years ago and screening room.

as to the second one, I was hoping it would have some actual theatres in it but like the title says
"HDR LED walls are superior to projection, so why aren't cinemas using them?"


don't know if one day they will be cheap enough for theatres to use them, but that is something we can discuss when that happens.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

don't get me wrong good audio is important, but I find it hard to include in a definition of HT because technologically it has evolved too much, if someone watches an old VHS tape of a silent movie those overhead speakers are not doing much

Audio is a critical component of the cinema experience. A home theater should reproduce that audio as faithfully to the source as possible. Expecting a silent film to sound as immersive as an Atmos action flick is as absurd as expecting a black & white movie to look as vibrantly colorful as a Pixar movie. Having the capability to do justice to movies from all eras and of all types is the goal.

Originally Posted by Anthony P

I would not consider an HT even if it has a projector and possibly good audio and it is 99% of the time just 2-3 people in the room. The minute someone sits on one of the two couch parts perpendicular to the screen he will have a terrible A/v/neck pain experience. and if someone is not meant to sit there they should not be there.

The number of people in the room is irrelevant. I have gone to the cinema where I was the only one in attendance; did the theater cease to be one because I was the only one in it? Of course not, I just got what amounted to a private screening.

What people choose to do in the room doesn't matter, either. Sometimes people are just there to make out, to escape inclement weather, and even to catch some Zzzz's. If I ride a unicycle up and down the aisles, I'm just being a loon putting on my own competing show that happens to be at the cinema.

Originally Posted by Anthony P

unfortunately I still have to work no time to come here during the week.

Of all the four letter words in our lexicon, I am happiest to refrain from using that one.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

thanks, that 2018 article was what I was thinking about "The installation of the first Samsung screen in a Hollywood post house (Roundabout in Santa Monica) " with my comment of many years ago and screening room.

as to the second one, I was hoping it would have some actual theatres in it but like the title says
"HDR LED walls are superior to projection, so why aren't cinemas using them?"


don't know if one day they will be cheap enough for theatres to use them, but that is something we can discuss when that happens.

From the first article:

"Eight sites have since been installed or announced, including in China, Europe and the US."

"Samsung has an ambitious target of “10 percent of cinemas across the world by 2020.” But Samsung is not the only one advocating a bright future for projector-less cinema screens."

I wonder how close to that target they got, but I don't think that they got anywhere near it.

The second article is basically just saying the tech is there, but the cost is still prohibitive.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

While I do not own a home projector I have certainly seen them in operation and there are both differences AND similarities with a direct view display. It's just a matter of preference and whether you choose to focus upon what is different or what is similar.

I am not trying to take anything away from you I just feal a projector is needed and so u couch (like the picture) or TV that would make it fit my definition of media room better.

As for some similarities, obviously there are they are both devices that show moving pictures (then again so can my tablet and phone)

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

I am not trying to take anything away from you I just feal a projector is needed and so u couch (like the picture) or TV that would make it fit my definition of media room better.

As for some similarities, obviously there are they are both devices that show moving pictures (then again so can my tablet and phone)

Your definition for a multimedia room is very vague:

Originally Posted by Anthony P

-- multimedia room: something between HT and LR

I dislike the use of "media room" when there is no media present in the room. Yeah, I know media is being watched in there, but to me a media room should contain an actual selection of physical media much like a pantry should actually contain food.

As I said, it all depends on what similar features and differences you choose to focus upon. Phones and tablets are not "big" screens, so that alone disqualifies them from any consideration. Watching a video on a phone or a tablet in no way replicates a cinema experience.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Audio is a critical component of the cinema experience. A home theater should reproduce that audio as faithfully to the source as possible. Expecting a silent film to sound as immersive as an Atmos action flick is as absurd as expecting a black & white movie to look as vibrantly colorful as a Pixar movie. Having the capability to do justice to movies from all eras and of all types is the goal.

agree, I did not mean to imply otherwise.

Audio is super important but
1) I can understand if someone for example built their HT 10 years ago and bought a UHD player 4 years ago but he is not willing to have someone come in just for some over head speakers and is waiting for the right time when he will renovate the whole room.

2) Take my dad as an example, I can't get him to come down to the HT to watch any new film, if the film is not over 50 years old he is not interested in watching it. Now the HT is not built for him but if someone only watches sources that are mono a proper surround sound system is not needed to reproduce but in smaller the movie experience. Now if someone is only watching D&W the same can be said but no one makes b & w projectors.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

agree, I did not mean to imply otherwise.

Audio is super important but
1) I can understand if someone for example built their HT 10 years ago and bought a UHD player 4 years ago but he is not willing to have someone come in just for some over head speakers and is waiting for the right time when he will renovate the whole room.

2) Take my dad as an example, I can't get him to come down to the HT to watch any new film, if the film is not over 50 years old he is not interested in watching it. Now the HT is not built for him but if someone only watches sources that are mono a proper surround sound system is not needed to reproduce but in smaller the movie experience. Now if someone is only watching D&W the same can be said but no one makes b & w projectors.

I do not feel that a home theater needs to be Atmos capable to meet the definition especially as some people may only have interest in films from eras pre-dating it. A home theater should be able to do justice to whatever content is being viewed/ heard in it and that will vary with the film preferences of the individual.

So much for my not

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I don't have that one. Is it a worthwhile successor to the original series?

IMHO, oh yes. A very different setting but several returning key cast members. Many scenes have us .

S2E3

[Show spoiler]

Are You Being Served Again S2E3 - YouTube

[crutzulee]

Back in the mid 80's cineplex ran the cinema in the EATON center in downtown Toronto. Every couple of months they would add screens to the existing foot print and would have a corresponding name change from the Cineplex 8 to the Cineplex 10 etc and eventually capped out at something close to the Cineplex 30. It got so ridiculous I remember seeing a movie in what I wouldn't even refer to as a media room by today's standards... the screen was a plexiglass type material and the image was rear projected. I swear that the screen was probably smaller than what I have in my HT! If memory serves, I snuck in to see the Scott Baio film ZAPPED! in that room as I was under aged...

Right across Yonge st was a grand old FAMOUS PLAYERS theater with a double staircase leading to a balcony and everything....

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I dislike the use of "media room" when there is no media present in the room. Yeah, I know media is being watched in there, but to me a media room should contain an actual selection of physical media much like a pantry should actually contain food.

we talk about digital media so i don't know why when it comes to the room it has to be physical media, and don't you have a large physical media collection?

I like the term multi-media term to me it fills that gap between LR/FR and HT. it means the person wants something better for watching stuff but not enough to want an HT.

The number of people in the room is irrelevant. I have gone to the cinema where I was the only one in attendance; did the theater cease to be one because I was the only one in it? Of course not, I just got what amounted to a private screening.

the room in the pick has a |_| couch the people sitting on the _ part are OK but if people sit on the two| | parts they will have a terrible experience watching something. many times the excuse is we only use the _ part.

As I said, it all depends on what similar features and differences you choose to focus upon. Phones and tablets are not "big" screens, so that alone disqualifies them from any consideration. Watching a video on a phone or a tablet in no way replicates a cinema experience.

that is not what I meant, but why is "big" important and not how the technology works? and if that is important to you why must it be important to the guy that says i don't care I can see my film on either my TV or phone? and what is "big" it reminds me of a discussion many years ago when someone called a TV small then the owner got bent out of shape.

[crutzulee]

Chacun a son gout... but I can't bring myself to refer to anything with a back-lit display as a home theater... I didn't consider the media room I watched ZAPPED! in a cinema even though I paid money for entrance, bought concessions and it was owned by a theater chain back in the day...

Incidently, I have a full professional pop corn machine on a trolly in my HT. I've bought all the professional grade accouterments for it, but have never gotten around to using it because it looks like it might be a hassle to clean LOL...I love the way it looks in it's prestine unused condition..

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I do watch them. I just have a lot more to choose from than do some of you.

Price is just an excuse. Region locked is just another excuse. Stop making excuses and buy the movies/TV shows that you want. Some titles will cost pocket change and some will require saving up, but if you really want/love a title, you will find a way to own it.

Price is not an excuse. It’s around £25-30 for a 4K disc. Add customs to that, it’s £45. I am lucky to be available to get 90% of my desired titles through Germany, France, Italy, Spain where possible (obviously mainly U.K.), I’m not going to overstretch my budget for a small amount of titles.

Regardless, it could be argued that you are wasting money by buying films you may not get around to watching because your purchases are overflowing and your backlog forever expanding.

Some may say that’s reckless.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Price is not an excuse. It’s around £25-30 for a 4K disc. Add customs to that, it’s £45. I am lucky to be available to get 90% of my desired titles through Germany, France, Italy, Spain where possible (obviously mainly U.K.), I’m not going to overstretch my budget for a small amount of titles.

Regardless, it could be argued that you are wasting money by buying films you may not get around to watching because your purchases are overflowing and your backlog forever expanding.

Some may say that’s reckless.

I have imported many movies over the years and never did the price increase by the ridiculous amounts that you just made up due to customs or taxes of any kind. You're just making more excuses. A real film fan will pay what it takes to get the movie that they want scouring the world to find it if need be.

You are making baseless assumptions about what percentage of my movies I have seen when you really have no idea at all. I often buy movies that I have already seen and with this hobby I have bought many of them several times over with each new format.

Being retired these past 16 years, I bet that I have easily seen more than you could ever hope to.

I have also been collecting movies for longer than your entire adult life and that is largely why my library dwarves yours. That and I don't make lame excuses for not buying what I want.

My collection has also been built to please more than just myself. I have purchased many titles just to entertain family and friends. Some times I liked these titles, too, and other times not so much. My library is designed to offer something for everyone, well, everyone that matters to me.

There is nothing wasteful or reckless about buying what I, and others, enjoy. I have no regrets. Every cent spent has been well worth it.

I enjoy this hobby immensely. Having so many great movies at my beck and call is simply wonderful. No matter my mood, I have something here to watch that matches it perfectly. My guests are never disappointed with the selection here, either.

Even when I am dead and gone, others will continue to enjoy what I have put together here. You can call it reckless, but to me it is just part of my humble legacy. I love movies and I will share that affection for them even after I am gone.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

we talk about digital media so i don't know why when it comes to the room it has to be physical media, and don't you have a large physical media collection?

I simply dislike the term "media room" if there is no actual physical, tangible, and genuinely owned media in said room. It is not a requirement pronounced by Vilya from on high. I just don't agree with it being used that way.

Originally Posted by Anthony P

the room in the pick has a |_| couch the people sitting on the _ part are OK but if people sit on the two| | parts they will have a terrible experience watching something. many times the excuse is we only use the _ part.

If people in the room choose to watch standing on their heads it in no way changes what the room is. Maybe they are masochists and physical discomfort gets them off? No concern of mine...unless they are getting off in MY room.

Originally Posted by Anthony P

that is not what I meant, but why is "big" important and not how the technology works? and if that is important to you why must it be important to the guy that says i don't care I can see my film on either my TV or phone? and what is "big" it reminds me of a discussion many years ago when someone called a TV small then the owner got bent out of shape.

"Big" is important because that's what cinemas are: they are BIG.

Big Picture. Big sound. Big experience. No phone or tablet can replicate any part of that.

If someone is happy watching Star Wars on a 6" phone screen with earbuds, I could not care less, but would anyone in their right mind compare that favorably to a theater experience?

Telling someone in their own home that their TV is too small, and therefore implying that it is not good enough for them, is plain rude. People like that should be shown the door.

The purpose of a home theater is to bring what we like (and can afford) about the cinema experience into our homes. How it all works is for nerds like us here. Most people just want the great results, not the blueprints to build the bloody thing from scratch. Not knowing how the tech works can add to the magic of it all while trying to understand how it works can cause a migraine.

It is not the expense of a home theater that has kept many of my friends from having one, but the complexity and to a lesser extent the aesthetics. They love a great home viewing experience as much as anyone, but they do not want to take on the learning curve involved and/or they do not want their homes to look like an electronics showroom.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I have imported many movies over the years and never did the price increase by the ridiculous amounts that you just made up due to customs or taxes of any kind. You're just making more excuses. A real film fan will pay what it takes to get the movie that they want scouring the world to find it if need be.

You are making baseless assumptions about what percentage of my movies I have seen when you really have no idea at all. I often buy movies that I have already seen and with this hobby I have bought many of them several times over with each new format.

Being retired these past 16 years, I bet that I have easily seen more than you could ever hope to.

I have also been collecting movies for longer than your entire adult life and that is largely why my library dwarves yours. That and I don't make lame excuses for not buying what I want.

My collection has also been built to please more than just myself. I have purchased many titles just to entertain family and friends. Some times I liked these titles, too, and other times not so much. My library is designed to offer something for everyone, well, everyone that matters to me.

There is nothing wasteful or reckless about buying what I, and others, enjoy. I have no regrets. Every cent spent has been well worth it.

I enjoy this hobby immensely. Having so many great movies at my beck and call is simply wonderful. No matter my mood, I have something here to watch that matches it perfectly. My guests are never disappointed with the selection here, either.

Even when I am dead and gone, others will continue to enjoy what I have put together here. You can call it reckless, but to me it is just part of my humble legacy. I love movies and I will share that affection for them even after I am gone.

We aren’t getting into a pissing contest about who loves films the most are we?

But seriously, I’m just trying to get you to watch The Wicker Man

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

Incidently, I have a full professional pop corn machine on a trolly in my HT. I've bought all the professional grade accouterments for it, but have never gotten around to using it because it looks like it might be a hassle to clean LOL...I love the way it looks in it's prestine unused condition..

Use it already. Enjoy it fully. Have the kids clean it.

[Steedeel]

Speaking of loving films, just watched the best one I have seen this year, ‘The Father’ with Anthony Hopkins. Oh, and it’s a film I have had for a few months!

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

We aren’t getting into a pissing contest about who loves films the most are we?

But seriously, I’m just trying to get you to watch The Wicker Man

There's no challenge to having a contest that I would easily win.

I will get to The Wicker Man when the mood strikes me. I am a mystery even unto myself.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Speaking of loving films, just watched the best one I have seen this year, ‘The Father’ with Anthony Hopkins. Oh, and it’s a film I have had for a few months!

I saw that over a year ago. Where have you been?

A shame that it is not on 4K disc.

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by Vilya

You're always worried about what MIGHT happen instead of what actually is happening. Far and away most TV shows on disc are offered in their entirety even now. American Horror Story is by far the exception and not the rule.

The current show that I will add to the list is Handmaids Tale. First 3 seasons on Blu-ray and on my shelf, but the 4th is only available on dvd, which I have not picked up. Show is still going, so maybe they do something with it once it wraps up. Shame because the third season was the best in my mind.

Lost in Space is another with the first season available but the second and third are not. First season was a gorgeous looking disc and packed a punch from the audio side of things. It is a Netflix title so who knows if we see something there now that it has ended.

Stranger Things is the big one, but I am guessing we will see something eventually with Netflix currently using that as a pull sort of tv show to sign up.

Even with two shows leaving me high and dry, I still roll the dice and buy tv shows as technical merits often warrant the better format, and I like having the option of heading downstairs to pop something in when I have a spare hour in my day.

There is also the anticipation of buying seasons individually that you get with a show like Better Call Saul. Final season comes out early December, and the build up getting to this point has been worth it picking them up as they were released. This one will go into the player right away.