Movie Theatre not as enjoyable as HDTV??

[fierzer]

So while I was sitting in the theatre trying to enjoy Watchmen.. I constantly was trying to imagine how it'd be like if I was sitting at home infront of my Samsung 52'' 630 LCD. This is posing as a problem, because of two things:

1. I'm looking to get a 42'' for bedroom use, and after much research.. I finally came to the conclusion that it's definitely going to be a plasma. Better blacks, better colors, better contrast, etc etc.

2. HOWEVER, sadly I do enjoy the 'soap opera' automotion effect of the 120hz LCD's.. so will this pose a problem in deciding for my future set? If I'm not finding the theatre screen as enjoyable as the interpolated LCD screen, should I stick with getting a new LCD instead of a plasma? Will plasma ultimately give me the same picture quality as the movie theatre? I'm trying to convince myself that a Panny or a Kuro will produce a more enjoyable experience then the theatre screen.

What you guys think?

[Beta Man]

I think there's a big difference between a 52 FOOT wide screen, and a 52 INCH diagonal one.


If you can make it work.... go front projection to get a 120" screen, and move your other t.v. to the bedroom


(I love plasma televisions though.... so basically take the "Movie theater" out of the equation, and compare the LCD to the Plasma..... use that to make your decision)

[saprano]

I dont think he ment really ment "Movie theater" beta man. i think he meant the experience of watching it at home vs the theater. alot of people here talk about it, its been discussed a million times.

At least thats what i think he was trying to say.

[primaz]

I'd say put the 52" in the bedroom and take Betaman's advice and get a real movie theater front projector to replace the 52". You can get front projectors that are just as clear 1080 starting at $1400 and even the best rated under the $6k price like the Epson and Panny are only about $2400! There is no comparison to size

[fuwa]

Originally Posted by primaz

I'd say put the 52" in the bedroom and take Betaman's advice and get a real movie theater front projector to replace the 52". You can get front projectors that are just as clear 1080 starting at $1400 and even the best rated under the $6k price like the Epson and Panny are only about $2400! There is no comparison to size

Would the picture quality of these front projectors ($2400) match a Kuro? I saw Quantom of Solace on DLP at my local theater and I thought the picture was a little better than the Kuro but that was probably at least at $25000 projector.

Another question I have concerning FP is does the picture gradually get dimmer as the bulb ages? Say the bulb is rated at 3000 hours; are the last 1500 hours going to be a significantly dimmer picture? I was at Best Buy awhile back and they had a Sony FP and the picture looked washed out. The salesperson said the bulb needed to be replaced.

I saw a movie at my daughters school using a FP with a standard dvd and the picture looked good. That was before I got the Kuro so I don't know if I would be as impressed if I compared it now.

I like the idea of FP. It makes more sense than having to deal with a cumbersome 60' or greater HDTV. I am just concerned about how long the quality picture lasts with the bulb.

Also when I was young we had an 8mm projector and a portable screen that was on a stand that folded up. I don't recall the price of the screen but I don't think it was more than a $100. The BB salesperson said the price of their screen was $2000! Surely they must have the old style projector screens for much less available today.

As far as the OP I would recommend plasma over LCD for the movie experience as does the last TV issue of Consumer Reports. LCD is better for bright rooms but who wants a movie experience in a bright room?

[Clark Kent]

The plasma will replicate what the movie looked like in the theater more closely than any LCD. Many of the Blu-ray production houses use Kuro plasmas as their reference display to check problems with their discs.

[primaz]

Originally Posted by fuwa

Would the picture quality of these front projectors ($2400) match a Kuro? I saw Quantom of Solace on DLP at my local theater and I thought the picture was a little better than the Kuro but that was probably at least at $25000 projector.

Another question I have concerning FP is does the picture gradually get dimmer as the bulb ages? Say the bulb is rated at 3000 hours; are the last 1500 hours going to be a significantly dimmer picture? I was at Best Buy awhile back and they had a Sony FP and the picture looked washed out. The salesperson said the bulb needed to be replaced.

I saw a movie at my daughters school using a FP with a standard dvd and the picture looked good. That was before I got the Kuro so I don't know if I would be as impressed if I compared it now.

I like the idea of FP. It makes more sense than having to deal with a cumbersome 60' or greater HDTV. I am just concerned about how long the quality picture lasts with the bulb.

Also when I was young we had an 8mm projector and a portable screen that was on a stand that folded up. I don't recall the price of the screen but I don't think it was more than a $100. The BB salesperson said the price of their screen was $2000! Surely they must have the old style projector screens for much less available today.

As far as the OP I would recommend plasma over LCD for the movie experience as does the last TV issue of Consumer Reports. LCD is better for bright rooms but who wants a movie experience in a bright room?

I had big TV's but once going to a front projector there was no going back. Yes in the old days the price was a big factor but two of the top picks for $6k and less projectors are the Epson and the Panny http://www.projectorcentral.com/epso...nic_ae3000.htm which both sell for about $2400-$2500 online. The Epson is one of the first with a bulb rated at over 4000 hours. They are both good but each has a few advantages over the other. I find that sometimes the last 500 hours of bulb might be a little less bright but that is a simple brightness adjustment. I'd day these 1080 projectors will provide you with just as clear pictures but at a screen size so large there is just no comparison! These are the great value projectors yet still have very impressive specs! You could spend more but to me the refinements are more subtle and only worth it if price is not an issue.

Screens are cheap and so are a set of levelor blinds. With a good set of blinds you would never need to adjust the brightness as the differences would be slight at the last bulb hours. I have a skylight smack dab in the middle of the room and even I watch sometimes without using the levelor for the skylight yet the image is good enough as the brightness is much better now adays; but if you use levelors or curtains it will be incredible. It does not need to be pitch black like the old days. Go for a projector you will not be sorry!

It will make a 60-70" TV look like a computer screen monitor nice but just no comparison once you go front projector you wont ever want to go back nor likely go to a movie theater either!

[steve1971]

I will be honest. Ever since I got my 46inch Sony HD going to the movie theater has become a thing of the past.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by steve1971

I will be honest. Ever since I got my 46inch Sony HD going to the movie theater has become a thing of the past.

While I still go (for certain movies, like Watchmen last weekend) it's been reduce a lot in the last few years and I don't even come close to have the setup that some of you have as HT. I can only imagine that once I reach that level, movie theaters will be a thing of the past for me as well.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by steve1971

I will be honest. Ever since I got my 46inch Sony HD going to the movie theater has become a thing of the past.

I don't even remember the last time I was at a movie theater thanks to my HDTV. But even if I were to go to a movie theater now I would probably be frustrated on how the picture is(not to mention all of the other problems you can find in movie theaters which kind of gets to me)

[snoman_99]

yeah we only go if its something we are really really interested in...

as P@t_Mtl stated: Watchmen. Also, we'll most certainly be seeing X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Terminator: Salvation, and i guess we'll go see some movie titled Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen. :-P

Movies of this Caliber we always go check out.

Jen & Sno

[zedd_117]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

While I still go (for certain movies, like Watchmen last weekend) it's been reduce a lot in the last few years and I don't even come close to have the setup that some of you have as HT. I can only imagine that once I reach that level, movie theaters will be a thing of the past for me as well.

Same here. I was just watching the new Harry Potter trailer and thinking to myself that I can not wait to have on Blu-ray. Strangely this thought occured to me before I thought about seeing it in theaters.
If I was in your shoes looking for an upgrade I'd get a 50" Pioneer Kuro. Now that Pioneer is stopping production, you can find them for under $2000. Actually BB is selling it (with delivery) for, I think, $2150 this week.

[Cadrian]

Id rather see a movie in theaters... A movie is really made to be seen in the theaters. I just dont like the people at the theaters.... I try to go early in the morning or late at night a couple weeks after a movie has opened.

Then again its really nice to pause an rewind at home to listen to a sound or to study an image over and over.

[Mannyfresh84]

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

I don't even remember the last time I was at a movie theater thanks to my HDTV. But even if I were to go to a movie theater now I would probably be frustrated on how the picture is(not to mention all of the other problems you can find in movie theaters which kind of gets to me)

You mean like spending $20 on a coke and some popcorn? I know I don't go to a movie theater as much as I used to. Hell, why should we. The movies come to bluray in only a few months after the theater anyways. Of course, the big movies we make acceptions for. Also I like Kevin James, but I'm still scratching my head how Paul Blart has made $133 million.

[Beta Man]

I think the OP is trying to decide which is more "Theater Like" in regards to image...... LCD or Plasma.... (at least I think that's what he's saying)

I still vote FP

[fuwa]

Originally Posted by primaz

I had big TV's but once going to a front projector there was no going back. Yes in the old days the price was a big factor but two of the top picks for $6k and less projectors are the Epson and the Panny http://www.projectorcentral.com/epso...nic_ae3000.htm which both sell for about $2400-$2500 online. The Epson is one of the first with a bulb rated at over 4000 hours. They are both good but each has a few advantages over the other. I find that sometimes the last 500 hours of bulb might be a little less bright but that is a simple brightness adjustment. I'd day these 1080 projectors will provide you with just as clear pictures but at a screen size so large there is just no comparison! These are the great value projectors yet still have very impressive specs! You could spend more but to me the refinements are more subtle and only worth it if price is not an issue.

Screens are cheap and so are a set of levelor blinds. With a good set of blinds you would never need to adjust the brightness as the differences would be slight at the last bulb hours. I have a skylight smack dab in the middle of the room and even I watch sometimes without using the levelor for the skylight yet the image is good enough as the brightness is much better now adays; but if you use levelors or curtains it will be incredible. It does not need to be pitch black like the old days. Go for a projector you will not be sorry!

It will make a 60-70" TV look like a computer screen monitor nice but just no comparison once you go front projector you wont ever want to go back nor likely go to a movie theater either!

Thank you. This is very informative. You have convinced me to go FP.

[seigneur_rayden]

You guyz must be going to shitty theaters!!!
The theater I go to, WARREN THEATER , will blow your mind and all the setups on this forum. The picture quality is outstanding and the sound is out of this world (bass that shake your bones, sonic boom, clear, distinct and loud).
It was built in 2002/3 and has been upgraded to digital projection lately.
I love to go to the movies still cuz it is more enjoyable than HDTV.

[Pirate King]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

If you can make it work.... go front projection to get a 120" screen, and move your other t.v. to the bedroom

Getting a FP is great advice. About 2 1/2 years ago (Before I found this wonderful informative community)... I purchased a 70" RP Sony XBR. If I had known then what I know now, I would have definitely purchased a FP system. My best guess is that I have room for about a 108" screen in my theater room. Now there is no way Angel (wife) is gonna let me replace that TV until it dies, so I am thinking I am about 6 or 7 years away from a FP system. I do not want anyone to feel sorry for me for only having a 70 inch Sony XBR. As if anyone would. It's a great TV. The picture is awesome. However, I could have had a bigger display.

With todays prices, if you have space, and the room is blacked out or can be blacked out, get a FP.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by seigneur_rayden

You guyz must be going to shitty theaters!!!
The theater I go to, WARREN THEATER , will blow your mind and all the setups on this forum. The picture quality is outstanding and the sound is out of this world (bass that shake your bones, sonic boom, clear, distinct and loud).
It was built in 2002/3 and has been upgraded to digital projection lately.
I love to go to the movies still cuz it is more enjoyable than HDTV.

If done right they will blow most HT out of the water. Sadly they rarely are done right, (and in my area they have been getting worse). The only major film I plan goin to in theatres so far this year is the new Terminator (though I may go to Watchmen as I have a free ticket that needs to be used in the next month).

[blu_world]

i also never go to a movie theater and face the worst most un-relaxing place that you pay to..


IMAX isn't included this this,they got nice sound system's and even are Nit picky changing there projection screens every year...You can't beat that & How good did IMAX parts on the dark knight look?.