|   Is it better at home? Poll | Clark Kent
Apr 28, 2003 12:57 PM | | I posted this in the films section but figured I would share it with you guys as well!
Here is something I was thinking about the other day and figured I would run it by the boys. Do you guys find yourself enjoying movies more at home or at the theater? I think I have gotten to the point where I really enjoy the flicks more at my house. Most of us are at this site due to our passion for HT and so on. I am sure that much like me, many of you have spent more money then you care to admit on your home rig ;o) I still go to the theater but I can't tell you how many movies I have seen in a theater, didnt really care for it but find myself liking it more when I watch it on my baby.
Where I live the theaters tend to be packed with punks so that kills the atmosphere, especially when going on a Sat or Fri. Next I am a pretty big guy, 6'5 255lbs, and I just dont fit as comfortably in those chairs. I also love the home DVD library thing because there is much more potential for that instant gratification when watching a movie at home (with a honey) as opposed to the actual public theater hehehe. Finally the cost of a movie for you and someone special could equal a DVD that you own and keep for as many viewings as you like.
Don't get me wrong, there are some movies that I HAVE to see in the theater but for the most part I enjoy watching at home more. I guess that's good though, since that is the whole reason why we have put those thousands into our expensive friggin hobby! lol
What you guys think?
Supes |
| Let me think | Bryan
Apr 28, 2003 1:19 PM | | YES!!! Many of us have much better systems at homes than what the theaters do though that is probably due to the smaller room volume. |
| I like to watch movies in segments :) | Smokey
Apr 28, 2003 2:47 PM | | Which mean I rather watch it at home. But for dates, going to theater still can't be beat...unless you are a cheapo  |
| I like to watch movies in segments :) | hannahs poppy
Apr 28, 2003 5:32 PM | | I have noticed in the last ten years or so that theaters choose not to present the surround sound in quality bass . It may be that it will disturb the audiences on either side . What I know for certain is that the realism is not there any more. |
| re: Is it better at home? Poll | dunkinpud
Apr 28, 2003 8:38 PM | | I would rather watch a movie at home, especially since we got the plasma. My wife likes the theater for the popcorn.
DP |
| re: Is it better at home? Poll | yamdsp-a1
Apr 29, 2003 8:05 AM | | Home, by far! The theaters in Bermuda are just bloody awful. The one with a decent screen and sound smells like mildew and don't even think about what is crawling on the floor when the lights go out! YIKES!
I only wish I had a bigger TV, then the home theater would be perfect!
Of course, I still like catching films first run - that way no one blows the plot for you. I usually go opening night for the atmosphere if I go at all.
Yam |
| re: Is it better at home? Poll | scooter13
Apr 29, 2003 9:52 AM | | At $10 a ticket (NYC prices) it takes a lot to get me into a theatre. |
| re: Is it better at home? Poll | PDK
Apr 29, 2003 9:55 AM | | This is a tough one... Too often I'm not able to have the volume level as high as I'd like (sleeping child in the house) but occassionally things are just about perfect! Going to the cinema is a major undertaking (arranging a sitter, finding parking, making it in time to get decent seats) and a huge hassle but I kind of like the crowd's reaction. This said, I enjoyed Harry Potter much more in the theater than at home. Conversely, I love LOTR (sounds and looks incredible at home) and I didn't really enjoy it the three hours I was craning my neck to watch it from the front row of a packed theater. I guess it's now better at home. It is now about 8 to 1 ratio for home viewing. I buy movies at an average of $8-$9 per DVD. Secretary just came in the mail today, so that will be Friday's feature premier... |
| re: Is it better at home? Poll | bo130
Apr 29, 2003 10:39 AM | | This is a great question! :)
The home theater systems that are available and affordable today far outstrip the systems that were available even 6 or 7 years ago. These days we have affordable widescreen televisions, Dolby Digital and DTS sound, which is far better than the "old days", with 27 inch televisions, and pro logic surround sound from our VHS tapes (or laserdiscs if you were a true nut).
The home theater enviornment beats out the theater in virtually every aspect, with the exception of the obviously larger screen, and a great sound system (if you have one in your local theater). The problem is, even when a local theater has a great sound system, they seem to be highly reluctant to show it off, and "crank" it even on opening nights of the event pictures.
I prefer my home theater for many reasons. One is the obvious cost and time I have spent purchasing and setting up the entire system. Secondly, I simply love being able to pause a movie when I have to take a bathroom or other break. I also love having the option of imbibing an alcoholic beverage if I so choose. :) Not having to pay $8 a seat for an evening show, nor having to pay outrageous sums for snacks or food is another big bonus. The new theaters have done a great job of providing substantially more comfort in the seats, including some that feature "stadium" seating, but the simple fact is that I still hate it when people use the back of my seat as a footrest. Also - there are times when some people in the theaters love to vocalize their emotions with shout outs at the screen, which while can sometimes be entertaining, is usually an annoyance. |
| Home for Me | Kapsley
Apr 29, 2003 1:28 PM | | ...for several reasons.
Some time ago I became turned off by the lack of theater value proposition (narrow seats (and I'm not a big guy), rude audiences, cell phones, high prices, etc). As my home theater has continued to improve, I see less and less reason to go to the theater. That being said, I'll be taking one of my sons to see Holes this weekend. Their movies are the exception; they have to keep up with the movie buzz at school!
Other theater downsides: three boys equals hard to find a sitter who is mature enough to watch them and not tied up in own activities. Total price for a movie (including dinner with wife, sitter, movie, Starbucks (not for me, for her)) can easily set me back eighty bucks. At that rate I can continue to improve the HT for the price of a few movies!
Agree with several other posters, the video isn't there yet in terms of practical size, but I'll put my sound up against almost all the local cineplexes. |
| Home for Me | Rhino
Apr 29, 2003 4:12 PM | | Always better at home!!!
At home, the sound is better, the picture is better, the popcorn is better, you can drink beer/wine/bourbon/whatever you like, you can pause the DVD when you've gotta pee, your shoes don't stick to the floor, and there's not 20 minutes of previews and commercials that you're forced to sit through. Plus, if the movie stinks you can just put in something else or switch over to TV. We haven't been to a movie theater in over a year now, and may never go back. It's not surprising that theaters are struggling. They're quickly becoming obsolete. |
| Home for Me | bruinfn4lf
May 2, 2003 9:20 AM | | I agree with all your points. Last two movies I viewed at theater were Men in Black (surround dropped out during the spaceship crash,leaving center speaker to handle all sound) and Batman (backdoor of theater kept opening for people going in and out,shining light on the screen).
Next purchase will be a 57" screen to replace 32" I will have no need to visit a theater again.
As you can tell by my last two movies I havent' been in a while anyway. |
| I think I enjoyed movies more at the Drive In. As far as sound | Grandpaw
May 4, 2003 7:05 PM | | and picture quality, that's a whole different discussion!!! |
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