How would you bring people back to theatres?

[GlocksRock]

Getting people back to the theater is gonna be like trying to bring people back to the arcade. It's just not gonna happen with all the moderately priced equimpent readily available to consumer. Why go to the arcade when I can stay at home and play xbox, ps2, computer or whatever... on my nice big tv, with 7.1 surround sound. I'll just watch my movies at home with little to no disctractions for a fraction of the cost.

 

[DDigitalguy06]

Same here i haven't been to the movies since high school. got way to exspensive and i have to agree yes they do show to many tv commercials and ads what a wast of time. and i hate it when people talk in theaters baby's crying cell phones going off. this is why theater may soon go bye bye.

I get better quality at home were it's nice n quiet. no kids crying no cell phones going off better video and sound .

for me i just wait untill it comes out on to dvd .

theres my 50 cents of words.

 

[Tomorrow]

Same here i haven't been to the movies since high school. got way to exspensive and i have to agree yes they do show to many tv commercials and ads what a wast of time. and i hate it when people talk in theaters baby's crying cell phones going off. this is why theater may soon go bye bye.

I get better quality at home were it's nice n quiet. no kids crying no cell phones going off better video and sound .

for me i just wait untill it comes out on to dvd .

theres my 50 cents of words.

Come on, now. You don't have commercials and phones going off at home when you're watching tv or dvds? In fact, I'll bet you have more interruptions at home when trying to watch a movie. And "way too expensive"? The price of a dvd is equal to that of two tickets to the theater, including popcorn and a drink. And I'll repeat, unless your system includes a huge screen and THX sound delivering double digit number of speakers, I have my doubts it's better than most theaters.

I reiterate. The reason people are staying away is not what you state. It's much more cultural and subtle. We need to dig deeper. It's laziness. It's isolationist. It's fear. I don't know. It's a lot of things. But you can't say it's too expensive. How much have you put toward your HT system? You can't say it's the interruptions, because most people get them constantly at their homes.

 

[GlocksRock]

with blockbuster online, I get lots of movies for $20 per month plus two free instore rentals, and I don't have a wife or kids, so my distractions are very few, and pretty much none if I turn off/don't answer my cell phone. So it is much cheaper for me to stay at home than go to the movies.

 

[Buckle-meister]

...unless your system includes a huge screen and THX sound delivering double digit number of speakers, I have my doubts it's better than most theaters.

Again I must disagree. Kind of.

Whilst I agree that I don't get the extreme spaciousness of sound one finds in a theatre, I absolutely achieve far greater clarity, bite and punch (no apologies for the subjective words) at home compared to any theatre I've ever been to. Though I freely admit that the increase in clarity may well be down to the room size differential.

 

[Tomorrow]

with blockbuster online, I get lots of movies for $20 per month plus two free instore rentals, and I don't have a wife or kids, so my distractions are very few, and pretty much none if I turn off/don't answer my cell phone. So it is much cheaper for me to stay at home than go to the movies.

That sounds like the way to go. But how much do you have invested in your home theater?

 

[Tomorrow]

Again I must disagree. Kind of.

Whilst I agree that I don't get the extreme spaciousness of sound one finds in a theatre, I absolutely achieve far greater clarity, bite and punch (no apologies for the subjective words) at home compared to any theatre I've ever been to. Though I freely admit that the increase in clarity may well be down to the room size differential.

What I see with myself, and with others posting on this thread is a preference for staying home and watching our lovingly built and paid for home theater systems. I believe that the reasons stated for staying away from theaters (okay, thea-tres) are excuses, not baseline reasons. I use them too, especially when trying to talk my wife out of going somewhere I don't want to go. The reason I know they're excuses is because for the most part, people have the same issues at home with their HTs. That's all I've been stating. The issue of performance, HT vs. Theatre, is subjective at best. But it just isn't true that it's cheaper to stay home, as I pointed out in an earlier post. It isn't for a lack of interruptions at home, either (for most of us, anyway).

Soooo, I'm trying to get at the real socio-psychological reasons for those preferences...not excuses for our preferences. It may say much about us and our time.

But then, I think I'm boring everyone here, so I'll shut up (for now, lol )

Good cheer.

 

[Matt34]

I don't like being around big groups of people.....there I said it.

Honestly, last movie I went to see at the theater was Star Wars III, the movie before that LOTR III, before that.....can't remember.

SW3, I believe there were approximately 7 people I would like to have disposed of due to cell phones, talking and swinging there light-em up lightsabers during the movie.

Good thing I wasn't carrying that night.

LOTR was seen at a Matinee on a weekday and was an enjoyable experience.

 

[Tomorrow]

I don't like being around big groups of people.....there I said it.

Good thing I wasn't carrying that night.

LOTR was seen at a Matinee on a weekday and was an enjoyable experience.

That's what I'm talking about! Me too. Crowds creep me out.

And you should always be carrying. What's the matter with you?!

And yep...weekday matinees are THE way to go.

 

[hifiman]

Again I must disagree. Kind of.

Whilst I agree that I don't get the extreme spaciousness of sound one finds in a theatre, I absolutely achieve far greater clarity, bite and punch (no apologies for the subjective words) at home compared to any theatre I've ever been to. Though I freely admit that the increase in clarity may well be down to the room size differential.

I don't want to disagree with Buckle. I don't want to endure another foot stomp

 

[GlocksRock]

That sounds like the way to go. But how much do you have invested in your home theater?

I got my Samsung HL-R5067W 50" DLP for $1774 shipped
Yamaha RX-V1600 for $860 shipped
Panasonic DVD-S35 for $100 + tax
Velodyne DLS-3750R for $250 shipped
Polk Audio CS2 center for ~$200 shipped
Polk Audio R30's for $125 shipped
2 pair of Polk Audio R15's one pair was $50 + shipping, the other pair was basically free from gift cards.
Misc. wires and cables and other accessories probably total ~$75

I got really good deals on all my gear so it cost a lot less than it should have. Even still, I prefer to watch movies at home, sure the theater experience is nice, but there is less chance of someone breaking into my car at home than at the theater, I don't have to use my gas to drive to the theater, concessions are 1000% less at home, and I can drink beer at home, but not at the movies, plus many other reasons not to go out.

So if I get say 20 movies per month from blockbuster that averages out to be about $1 per movie if I pay $20 per month for the subscription after taxes. If I see 20 movies per month at the theater plus the cost of gas, concessions, and the time it takes to get to and from the theater, you can clearly see that it's cheaper to watch movies at home. Spread the cost of my gear out over several years, then take the cost of seeing all those movies at the theater over the same amount of years and it's still cheaper to watch movies at home. Plus, I get to use my HT gear for TV, my modded XBOX, and I have my tv setup as a dual monitor for my pc.

 

[Sheep]

Again I must disagree. Kind of.

Whilst I agree that I don't get the extreme spaciousness of sound one finds in a theatre, I absolutely achieve far greater clarity, bite and punch (no apologies for the subjective words) at home compared to any theatre I've ever been to. Though I freely admit that the increase in clarity may well be down to the room size differential.

I don't think your HT is better then my local THX theater. I know what you use, and they sure are pretty, but they just can't compete.

Surrounds(back and side): http://www.jblpro.com/pages/cinema/surround.htm

Subwoofers(THX ones only): http://www.jblpro.com/pages/cinema/subwoofers.htm

Mains: http://www.jblpro.com/pages/cinema/5000.htm

I doubt your speakers can outperform these.

SheepStar

 

[Buckle-meister]

I don't think your HT is better then my local THX theater. I know what you use...but they just can't compete.

Wanna bet?

1. Mains: 50Hz to 12.5kHz +/-3dB. My mains: 48Hz to 30kHz +/-3dB. Um, looks to me like my towers go both lower and higher than those listed.

2. Surrounds (back and side): 40Hz to 20kHz (+?/-10dB). My surrounds: 80Hz to 30kHz +/-3dB. Now granted, my surrounds don't go as low, but who cares when they're crossed at 80Hz anyway? Obviously mine go higher. Lots higher.

3. Subwoofers (THX ones only): 30Hz to5kHz (+?/-10dB). My sub: 36Hz to 150Hz +/-3dB Granted, my sub doesn't go up to 5kHz, but who cares when my towers go up to 30kHz? Any yes, my sub may be shy of 30Hz by 6Hz, but my spec is +/-3dB. When the THX speakers are brought into this range, I'll bet my own equal or go deeper than the THX's (and my own don't go nearly as low as some of those listed on this site).

Ha! Take that you white fluffy animal!

 

[majorloser]

Mi Casa

The only theaters that I've been to that I feel beats my home setup is an IMAX theater. But who can compete with that at home? I've been to quite a few THX theaters, too. Not any better.

To be honest I feel more comfortable at home in MY theater. I have a large a$$ (yes, I admit it). I like my comfy power recliners. If I want to pause a movie to get something to drink or take a leak, no problem. There's no phone in my theater and you can't hear the ones in the rest of the house. If I'm watch the satelite broadcasts I have on-screen caller ID. If I feel like answering I can otherwise BUZZ OFF. Like it says below, I'm the child of the household. No children to bother me.

And lets face it, what's better than watch the movie while sitting in a recliner in your underwear where I can scratch "Lil' Major and the Twins"

Can't do that in public theaters (without jail time involved).

 

[Sheep]

Wanna bet?

1. Mains: 50Hz to 12.5kHz +/-3dB. My mains: 48Hz to 30kHz +/-3dB. Um, looks to me like my towers go both lower and higher than those listed.

2. Surrounds (back and side): 40Hz to 20kHz (+?/-10dB). My surrounds: 80Hz to 30kHz +/-3dB. Now granted, my surrounds don't go as low, but who cares when they're crossed at 80Hz anyway? Obviously mine go higher. Lots higher.

3. Subwoofers (THX ones only): 30Hz to5kHz (+?/-10dB). My sub: 36Hz to 150Hz +/-3dB Granted, my sub doesn't go up to 5kHz, but who cares when my towers go up to 30kHz? Any yes, my sub may be shy of 30Hz by 6Hz, but my spec is +/-3dB. When the THX speakers are brought into this range, I'll bet my own equal or go deeper than the THX's (and my own don't go nearly as low as some of those listed on this site).

Ha! Take that you white fluffy animal!

The THX subwoofers go to 25Hz and 22Hz. Far outbeating your subwoofer. The main speakers have to serve well off axis as well as on. The screen at this theater is the size of one wall. So the speakers, considering what they have to do a damn good job. Besides, these are speakers filling giant room. The subwoofer they have that goes to 30Hz would hit 10Hz in my room.

SheepStar(my subwoofer goes lower then yours! [25Hz -3dB])

 

[Tomorrow]

2. Surrounds (back and side): 40Hz to 20kHz (+?/-10dB). My surrounds: 80Hz to 30kHz +/-3dB. Now granted, my surrounds don't go as low, but who cares when they're crossed at 80Hz anyway? Obviously mine go higher. Lots higher.
:

Yeah, but do you have 22 of them?

 

[Tomorrow]

I got my Samsung HL-R5067W 50" DLP for $1774 shipped
Yamaha RX-V1600 for $860 shipped
Panasonic DVD-S35 for $100 + tax
Velodyne DLS-3750R for $250 shipped
Polk Audio CS2 center for ~$200 shipped
Polk Audio R30's for $125 shipped
2 pair of Polk Audio R15's one pair was $50 + shipping, the other pair was basically free from gift cards.
Misc. wires and cables and other accessories probably total ~$75

I got really good deals on all my gear so it cost a lot less than it should have. Even still, I prefer to watch movies at home, sure the theater experience is nice, but there is less chance of someone breaking into my car at home than at the theater, I don't have to use my gas to drive to the theater, concessions are 1000% less at home, and I can drink beer at home, but not at the movies, plus many other reasons not to go out.

So if I get say 20 movies per month from blockbuster that averages out to be about $1 per movie if I pay $20 per month for the subscription after taxes. If I see 20 movies per month at the theater plus the cost of gas, concessions, and the time it takes to get to and from the theater, you can clearly see that it's cheaper to watch movies at home. Spread the cost of my gear out over several years, then take the cost of seeing all those movies at the theater over the same amount of years and it's still cheaper to watch movies at home. Plus, I get to use my HT gear for TV, my modded XBOX, and I have my tv setup as a dual monitor for my pc.

You did a great job on budgeting a nice set, GR. But do you get 20 movies a month? Probably not. I think you'll agree that HT is an expensive hobby, yes? Sure, walk-in theaters are too. But my point is that it is something else that keeps you home...not just the expense of the theater. (I sound like a broken record. Both are expensive, but you don't avoid your HT.) Also, you still have your modded XBox and pc at home for apres theatre, if you wish.

What you ended your post with is what I'm talking about...the 'real' reasons...convenience. You're near your pc and game machine...multiform entertainment. Now there is something the "industry" can look at as a problem. Convenience is a biggy, it seems. We have Majorloser over there toying with the Li'l Major (Private?) and his buddies.

These two examples indicate a need for privacy and having home conveniences. This says to me we're becoming more stay-at-home-avoid-the-crowds, much less social culture.

 

[Buckle-meister]

The THX subwoofers go to 25Hz and 22Hz. Far outbeating your subwoofer.

Oops. My mistake. I only saw the top speakers in each link (i.e. didn't scroll down).

The main speakers have to serve well off axis as well as on.

This is of no concern to me whatsoever as I have not yet mastered the technique of sitting in two places simultaneously.

The screen at this theater is the size of one wall.

And as a fellow member has stated before, given the proximity you sit to your current home theatre, the screen is 'just as big' as that in a cinema.

Besides, these are speakers filling giant room.

Again, this is of no consequence. Big speakers filling a big room = Small speakers filling a small room.

Yeah, but do you have 22 of them?

Ooooo. No challenge at all . Do you seriously think I rate my speakers against a monster set of THX speakers?

 

[Sheep]

Oops. My mistake. I only saw the top speakers in each link (i.e. didn't scroll down).
This is of no concern to me whatsoever as I have not yet mastered the technique of sitting in two places simultaneously.
And as a fellow member has stated before, given the proximity you sit to your current home theatre, the screen is 'just as big' as that in a cinema.
Again, this is of no consequence. Big speakers filling a big room = Small speakers filling a small room.
Ooooo. No challenge at all . Do you seriously think I rate my speakers against a monster set of THX speakers?

Well, when I entertain guess with my HT, I like the Off axis sound to my good too.

The screen is only the same size if you sit 1.5 times the diagonal away(widscreen).

I would love to have these speaker inside my room and see what damage they could do.

SheepStar

 

[GlocksRock]

You did a great job on budgeting a nice set, GR. But do you get 20 movies a month? Probably not

Yes, I absolutely do get 20 (or more) movies per month.

And no, convenience isn't the main reason I stay at home, I would say that cost of going to a movie, and the abundance of distractions are what keep me away from the theaters.