Author
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Topic: The future of the Home Cinema
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Paul Adsett
Film God
Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted April 03, 2015 01:12 PM
I have made a couple of visits to the local multiplex in the last month or so, one visit to see The Imitation Game which is a superb film, and once to see The Second best Magnolia Hotel which I would rate as mediocre but saved by the classy presence of Richard Gere. Watching both films, which were projected on 4k digital projectors it occurred to me that my projected digital picture at home, from a Blu Ray source, was every bit as good. IMO there was virtually no significant difference in PQ. So I think it is safe to say that projected home cinema has now caught up with the pro's. How lucky we all are! But, coming over the horizon, or actually here, are giant 4K flat panel TV'S. The biggest one I have seen is an 85 ins diagonal Sony. The resolution is so good that you can sit 3 ft from the screen if you want to, and that sure gives an immersive effect similar to Cinerama. So I am wondering if this is the wave of the future for home cinema, where these vary large 4K displays will be favoured over front projection. I hope this is not the case, because for me the cinema experience is defined by front projection in a dark room, not a flat panel with the room lights on.
-------------------- The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection, Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj
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Martin Jones
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1269
From: Thetford , Norfolk,England
Registered: May 2008
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posted April 03, 2015 02:56 PM
I don't think that the "movie theater" has a viable future because it is fast running out of the reasons it existed in the first place... those of 1. bringing to the public spectacles that they could only otherwise experience in real life, and 2. doing it on such a scale that it became totally immerseive to the audience. The first has been slowly eroded by television... which has not been able to emulate the second by reason of the size limitations placed upon it by the technology. Now we have the situation where the "movie" industry gains strength by virtue of the fact that its output is of equal value to BOTH means of presentation, while home presentation increases in both scale and technology day by day, theatre presentation is actually reducing the size of its screening facilities and also of its audience seating capacities. Result? When, in the not too distant future, home screen sizes become comparable in relation to audience size to theatre screen sizes (audio sophistication is already comparable) there will be no valid reason for the theatre to be more attractive to one's own home, where the SAME experience will be more conveniently available. And Digital home projection will play a part, whether the source be television broadcast, DVD or BluRay.
And the above is NOTHING to do with the HOME CINEMA experience of the enthusiast..... it's about "commercial" viability, which has ALWAYS been driven by supply and demand. Simply, if you already have the same product in your own home, why buy it again somewhere else? The remaining few who still see something different in theatre presentation will simply not be sufficient to support the costs of that approach. Even the draw of the live "telecast" of special events will inevitably be replaced by "direct to home" subscription services as theatres decline.
-------------------- Retired TV Service Engineer Ongoing interest in Telecine....
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Steve Klare
Film Guy
Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted April 03, 2015 03:56 PM
If you accept the premise that the same production done as HD video on a home screen is "Just as good".
-Yes, you can.
(I do not.)
In just the technical aspects, home video should blow away actors on a stage: the sound is better, you can have closeups, location shots, you can be free from flubbed lines and prop and scenery malfunctions.
-but the difference for the audience is the experience of viewing it.
By the same token, if the movie theaters near me are any indication, theatrical cinema is going great.
-you want a decent seat, you'd better show up early.
-------------------- All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...
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