Physical vs Digital media (film)

[ignatius345]

Blu-ray, Plasma and 7.1 surround sound is a dream come true really. Still, it can't totally replace the theatre experience...

True, but you can get a LOT closer if you get a decent projector set up. I have a budget one and even at this level I feel much more like I'm "experiencing" a movie when I see it projected at around 100" than I did when I was watching on a 40" TV. There's just something about seeing a BIG picture that creates a more immersive experience. As soon as I can afford to, definitely going to upgrade to a better projector -- we're talking maybe $400-500 for a usable and bright 720p projector like I've got, and $1000 to jump to the next level -- and of course it goes WAY up from there Wirecutter.com has a pretty good roundup, as usual. Cheaper than a big TV in many cases, and when it's off, there's not a gigantic hunk of black hardware dominating your living room.

And speaking of "immersive", it's just all too frequent these days to go to a movie and listen to people talking openly and/or ***** around on their phones the whole time. When I saw Star Wars, some idiot had brought a BABY. For all but the most visually amazing movies, I'm very willing to take a bit of a hit and watch at home instead of paying $15 to experience other people's bad behavior.

 

[phrehdd]

Nice. I'm just old enough to remember a time before home video so if you missed it at the theatre you might not ever see it again. Blu-ray, Plasma and 7.1 surround sound is a dream come true really. Still, it can't totally replace the theatre experience...I was crushed to learn that the curtain is coming down on the greatest movie palace in NY in the next couple of weeks. I saw Star Wars there 2 weeks ago - the writing was on the wall. The Ziegfeld has a 1200 seating capacity and my GF and I were 2 of maybe 30 people in the entire place for a 7pm showing.

I understand your sorrow over going to the theater and in particular, theaters that are either grand or with great history (both often). For me, I used to love going to the theater and in my youth, we had some very nice ones. I gave up years ago because of two things - wretched audiences and bad audio experiences. The latter was more about projectionists or whomever was ultimately responsible who did not adjust volume based on population within the theater. The more people the louder it can go and the less, well turn down the volume please. I remember one time where a "herd" of people left the theater (including myself and date) because it was beyond loud. All of us ended up with refunds. They made no effort to adjust the sound after several complaints initially.

The advent of larger plasma tvs, surround and Blue Ray was a different way of enjoying movies and I am quite happy with it. Once in a blue moon I'll go to a theater. I don't mind paying a bit more for the "fancier" theaters that offer designated seating and more. The audiences in general are a bit better.

Hope you find other theaters that you can enjoy and perhaps a good home experience the way I happen to enjoy movies. Btw, I lived in a city where movies went into 2nd run at cheaper theaters and usually with another film. Not always the best presentation but I rarely missed a movie I wanted to watch (pre DVD days).

 

[sarge]

I worked in an independent art house theatre in the mid '90s with a bunch of other twenty somethings just after college (and two retirees- a couple of real sweethearts). On occasion we would all stay late and break out the libations while one of the projectionists ran a feature for us and an audience of our friends. Of course at that point it wasn't even about the movie anymore, but still...good times.

 

[sarge]

True, but you can get a LOT closer if you get a decent projector set up... Cheaper than a big TV in many cases, and when it's off, there's not a gigantic hunk of black hardware dominating your living room.

And speaking of "immersive", it's just all too frequent these days to go to a movie and listen to people talking openly and/or ***** around on their phones the whole time. When I saw Star Wars, some idiot had brought a BABY. For all but the most visually amazing movies, I'm very willing to take a bit of a hit and watch at home instead of paying $15 to experience other people's bad behavior.

I'd love to get a projector but no two walls in my apt. are further than 10 feet from each other. We do have a roof deck which would make for a prime movie projection venue - maybe I'll get the co-op board to approve a purchase!

 

[hvfsl]

I'd love to get a projector but no two walls in my apt. are further than 10 feet from each other. We do have a roof deck which would make for a prime movie projection venue - maybe I'll get the co-op board to approve a purchase!

My projector is only about the same distance from my screen and it produces a 10 foot picture. I just an Ikea black out blind (in light grey) for my screen.

 

[Alrescha]

I'd love to get a projector but no two walls in my apt. are further than 10 feet from each other.

My projector is less than ten feet from my screen (100"). I encourage you to check out some short-throw models.

A.