The Source Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 DVD-Television vrs. The Movie Theater A few days ago, I realized something weird. After watching a movie advertisement, I felt a slight disinterest in going to the movies. Yes, I enjoy the popcorn, fancy carpets, and big screen. Not to mention the audio, which deafens the audience with THX. Over the past year, I was being pulled into two directions. I could go see a two hour movie, which use to be two and a half hours long. Or, I can go buy the entire season of "24" on DVD, and spend 24 hours with no advertisments. Watching tv on DVD has changed my experience with entertainment. Now, we have something that is rivalling the movies: The High Definition Television. Will HD-TV change the way we look at television? Instead of going to see a two hour movie, could television studios take advantage of highdef? Could they descide to make shows will special effects, which blows the hell out of the theater experience? What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HerbieZ Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 The only thing keeping theaters/cinemas alive is nostalgia. I for one think there is no better place to see a film that you know you will enjoy than the local cinema. But i only see films that are part of a franchise and i look forward to such as Star Trek, James Bond etc. I hardly see anything that is an independant or one-off. However my point may be abit moot because in America, cinema is more popular than over here in England. Strangely, i buy movie DVD's but hardly ever watch them. I prefer to buy tv series box sets or again box sets of established franchises than one off DVD's. Although the DVD experience is off putting to me by the annoying and increasingly longer "Don't do piracy" video that i swear by now is at least two hours long. Which has actually pushed me to get a few pirate DVD's because they don't have that video. The irony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I love going to the movies, but its so damn expensive these days for people like me. But I will always see the movie in theaters if its something I'm really interested in because I can't wait for the DVD. If they would start releasing the DVD at the same time as its released in theaters, I think theater attendance would do a skydive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego Varen Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 However my point may be abit moot because in America, cinema is more popular than over here in England. Agreed. In fact, I haven't been to the cinema since the end of 2005, simply because I prefer watching them from the comfort of my own home and you don't have to watch all the pointless adverts. I myself prefer watching Series (Or as Americans call them, Seasons), like Only Fools and Horses, but I don't mind watching the occasional film. I also hate the video piracy on the beginning of some DVDs. They'll be making a law not to watch the DVD next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukeiamyourdad Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Going to the movies is not just for the movie. It's a bit of an excuse for me and my friends to go out and have fun.That's what going to the movie theater is all about for me. Staying home, even going to their home with an HDTV isn't the same. I could go see a two hour movie, which use to be two and a half hours long. Or, I can go buy the entire season of "24" on DVD, and spend 24 hours with no advertisments. Well, a movie ticket costs 9-11$ CAD here for about 2 hours and a half or less. The 24 DVD still isn't as cheap as that, though the ratio money/time might be better. As far as I know, the DVD is not available in HD and you have to remember that to be able to fully take advantage of those capabilities, you need an HDTV and a good surround sound system. Both of which are still relatively expensive. Going to the theater isn't going to die this year or next year. We'll see in 10 years. By the way, the discussion should be about buying a movie DVD vs going to the theater and not buying a television show DVD vs going to the movie theater. You know, not to compare apples and oranges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I think some movies deserve to be seen on the big screen, and some do just fine on my home theatre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jae Onasi Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 It depends on the movie for me. Chick flicks--I can wait til it comes out on DVD and watch it at home. Movies like Star Wars? Those definitely have to be experienced in the theater--you can't begin to get the same 'go to hyperspace' feeling or that jolt in the stomach during the space battles or speeder chases watching it on TV. Those are much better experienced in the theater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PazaakPrincess Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I rarely go to the movies whereas just a few years ago I went all the time. One big difference is that where I live now compared to NYC the movie theatres are really far away so you have to plan to see a film there is very little "let's go to a film" in our house these days. We also joined Love Film last year and starting using torrents so we get a lot of things that way and now we have a digital, between all that and the xbox there is really very little reason to leave the house except to get food Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negative Sun Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I think GL has got it spot on by focusing on tv, with all the HD stuff being flung at us and DVD box sets definitely on the rise, he knows where the money is these days and is obviously out to get it... I think there are about 100 episodes of the SW tv series planned, so that's like 4 or 5 seasons right? At £40-50 per box set that means ka-tching for Mr Lucas again...Not that I'm complaining I think it's a good evolution, even though conventional and/or digital theatres will always exist because nothing beats the experience... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Obi-Wan Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I love going to movies. I went to the movie theatres 30+ times last year. And I don't see that letting up this year with movies like, Spiderman 3, Pirates 3, and Harry Potter 5 coming out later this year. Like, LIAYD, it's an excuse to hang out with your buddies. I have an HDTV, and once I get HD hook-up, that's gonna be great. I, for one, buy only the movies I really like on DVD, but those are fairly expensive. But, I prefer to check out the big movies, in theatres because of the sound, the atmosphere. It's just so neat and fun to go to theatres. Even if it is $11 a ticket. Plus snack and what not. And movies are starting to come out on Blu-Ray and HD DVD. Those are fairly expensive items to go out and buy in my humble opinion. And if they just get rid of movie theatres, and just go and release the films straight on DVD, some movies I might not be able to see, unless I fork out a lot of money. In addition, I would make sense that the actors and film makers and company would not make as much money as they would now, because of the box office. So, I am pro towards going to see movies in theatres. There... *phew* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilentScope001 Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Going to a movie theater is a waste of time, but DVDs usually get scratched and skip too much. So, I stick with VHS. Low quality, but I prefer it much more...at least you can watch the move in its entirey, or its busted, meaning you can get another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTV2 Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Theaters are in High Definition. Actually, they're bigger then High Definition. There are 2 kinds of theaters, 2K and 4K. 2K is 2048x1080 (just a little wider then HDTV) and 4K is 4096x2160. But i think the real killer here is going to be Ultra High Definition Television. with a 7680x4320 screen and another one which is around 2540p and 22.2 surround sound. though for 18 minutes of uncompressed footage, its 3.5 TB of space. TV shows are longer, but they can get a bit boring after watching 12 hours of "24" or "House" or "Heroes" or whatever TV show you like. Movies are short and sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bimmerman Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I'm a big movie buff, and usually go to the theater at least once a week(record's three times in a day), not including movies I see with friends at each others' dorm rooms and houses. I can quote movies off the top of my head with absolutely no thought or effort. I've skipped school(high school, no way I'm dumb enough to do that in college) a number of times to see potentially good movies, so I think I can offer at least the addict's perspective. Yes, theaters are outmoded and overpriced these days, but it's a lot more fun to go to the theater with friends than to stay at home and watch movies on my tv(which is a projector on a screen with 7.1 surround). Despite my kickass home theater I still prefer going to the AMC-14 theater and paying $9.75 a movie to chill with my friends. I don't buy the concession stand items, as 5 bucks for a tub of burnt popcorn is a waste of money. Sneaking a burrito into the theater is much more cost-effective. With the advent of HDTVs more and more people will be staying at home, preferring to rent rather than pay the outlandishly high price for a ticket. I myself do rent and buy movies and watch them at home, but I personally prefer the experience of the theater, and have tried my best to replicate it in my home, although with budget couches rather than theater chairs, I'm not that addicted. I hope that makes some kind of sense to you all, I've been working on a Calc lab for 30 hours and my brain's fried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukeiamyourdad Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Like I said, for a comparable experience, you need the gear and that's not given to you from the sky. People in small apartments have a hard time with a home theater system because it needs to have a room large enough and you can't crank up the volume or else the neighbors won't like you very much. I always go to the movies with my backpack. It's full of food >.> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titanius Anglesmith Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 I rarely ever go to the movies. The only things I ever go see are in big franchises that I like, Star Wars and Star Trek for example. Personally, I can't wait for Pirates 3. That's gonna be one that I'll definitely go see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pho3nix Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 I as well go rarely to the movies. It's only special ones like Star Wars that I go and see on the 'big screen', this year It's only going to be Spider-man 3 at the movies for me. P.S How much does a movie ticket cost in the U.S? It's 10€ here and I think It's ****ing expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bimmerman Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 How much does a movie ticket cost in the U.S? It's 10€ here and I think It's ****ing expensive. It's $9.75 for Adults, and $8.50 for students here in Boulder, dunno about elsewhere. It's really expensive, I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 It's $9 for adults and $8 for students after 6 o'clock here in Michigan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabretooth Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Well, I like Cinema. Its got this screen that is like, a hundred times my TV screen. Sound thats louder than all the speakers in my house turned to full and a dark silence that I can never hope to achieve with the stupid slum-people living next to my building. Yep, Cinema for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaelastraz Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 I go to the cinema every second week or so. Sometimes more, sometimes less, it really depends on what movies they play... I love watching movies... many movies interest me and I wouldn't want to wait for a DVD. Also, I watch way more movies then I would be willing to buy on DVD. I go to the cinema and if I really really like the movie I consider buying the DVD. High definition TV is nice and everything but it will never be able to compete with big cinema screen. Would you prefer to watch Lotr III in a cinema or in HDTV? The only drawback of the cinema is the money it costs. 7-10 € ... but oh well, that's what others invest in beer and WoW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henz Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 It's about a tenner a pop to get to and watch something at the cinema. I like to go, but I go less often because of this. Saw Hot Fuzz the other day. It's great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogue15 Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Although the DVD experience is off putting to me by the annoying and increasingly longer "Don't do piracy" video that i swear by now is at least two hours long. Which has actually pushed me to get a few pirate DVD's because they don't have that video. The irony. Yeah, i can't agree with you more on that issue. I wonder how many people are aware that is even possible and go and do it after they've seen that? Probably a lot more than if they hadn't seen it in the first place!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 And I doubt that the video clip stops any current pirates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Obi-Wan Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Yeah, it unintentionally encourages some people to actually do it. I know a person, who downloads many movies that are still in theatres and puts them onto DVD, though I don't know if he sells them. The prices here are about $10.95 a ticket for all ages. I don't really care about the prices, because I can afford it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukeiamyourdad Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 The prices here are about $10.95 a ticket for all ages. I don't really care about the prices, because I can afford it. It's about the same here for the best theater (best seats, screen and sound quality). Most are around 9$, with some as low as 1$. The 1$ theater shows old movies (after they came out on regular screens and before they come out on DVD). Not a very nice place, but if you can wait and don't mind to have some lower back pain after sitting in their "chairs" for two hours, it's a decent cheap alternative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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