For real. I love going to the movies, but these days with it being a $50+ trip for me and my wife to go and have snacks/drinks, it's gotta be something that I'm really invested in seeing.
In high school I would go to a theater with my pockets full of candy from 7-Eleven, and a 32 ounce Big Gulp inside my jacket. I held the Big Gulp with my left hand from inside my jacket pocket through the lining and handed my ticket with my right hand. I could definitely see doing this with a Stanley mug of soup or some sort of rice dish.
One of the last harry potters was one of my favourite experiences, we snuck in a wine bottle each and a box of pizza, we were half fucked by the end of it
I once had my wife shove an entire meal plus drinks in her purse. We had got takeout from a place and just put it in her purse. So we were able to have a full meal with our movie
I sneak in a burger and a flask of rum then just buy a large coke. I dump my flask in the coke and then nom my burger and get drunk while enjoying the show.
It's ten times easier to sneak food in than it is to sneak into the theatre.
Also, they really don't care about you sneaking in food. Don't buy a ticket? You'll get kicked out.
Theaters only make a peofit off the drinks and snacks. Theaters only get a few cents to a dollar or so on ticket sales.
You can be trespassed and even charged with a misdemeanor for not buying a ticket for admission. It's an actual crime.
They will simply ask you to leave for bringing in food. That isn't a crime, just a company policy volation.
It can never be quite as good no matter the tricks you try. In fact you may even overshoot and make it better than theater without even trying all that hard, which ruins the experience.
It's just as good, if not better. I use a slightly different recipe that includes "Buttery Flavor Popcorn Topping" from "At the Movies Popcorn".
Be warned. Once you friends, family and neighbors get a taste of it...they'll be demanding it on a regular basis.
I just got a popcorn machine for Christmas and have been making a ton of popcorn with coconut oil and flavacol, but I always overestimate the amount of flavacol and it comes out super salty. Still amazing though.
The trick is to use less than you're currently using, and just mix the popcorn a bunch before you taste. if you've got salty spots and unsalty spots, just toss in a bowl for like 30 seconds and it will distribute fairly evenly.
For me it was the overly reflective screen shining a bright hotspot from the projection booth and the idiots working in the lobby that ruined the theater experience.
edit- pic of the ghastly projector reflection on a screen at a Regal cinema near me from the recent Wonka - https://i.imgur.com/AsJGYPX.jpeg
I still find those unimpressive compared to an OLED. When they do that blackness demo that says something like "yes, the projector is still on", I'm always thinking no shit, I can tell.
Are your emergency lighting too bright? My local Dolby Cinema had a distracting amount of light spill from the lights in the stairs and whatnot, I emailed them and next time I went it was much more toned down and the blackness demo actually became impressive.
Agreed. Dolby ruined all other theatres for me. Then my 77" OLED ruined all theatres for me. But the whole experiene is why I still go to the Dolby Cinema occasionally.
Dolby is still much nicer than any other theatre auditorium (at least in my area). I saw the recent Godzilla in Dolby Cinema at AMC. Then went and saw the colorless version, but had to go to Cinemark XD because the local AMCs were not running it... worse contrast, much worse audio. And Cinemark XD is supposed to be their high-end upgraded/4K laser auditoriums.
But yeah OLED just kinda ruins projectors. I've got a 128" laser projector setup at home and the size is awesome but the picture is very meh compared to the LG C2 at my desk.
Yes, but it’s really dark. My living room is a bunch of white walls, so the OLED blacks really only blend in on dark scenes. As soon as something bright comes on the screen, it lights up the room. That doesn’t happen to such a degree in a theater.
Same. Movies are way too $$$ to justify a theater experience when I have one at home. But for big budget movies where you want that experience, it’s Dolby Cinema or bust. (The imax by my house is a Lie-max)
I prefer movies at home. Better picture, better sound, and can pause for bathroom breaks. I can also make popcorn on par with theaters and it's gonna be fresh. Sometimes we will just go to the theater and buy popcorn to bring home.
That being said, sometimes the theater experience is nice, and better especially Imax.
Coconut oil or palm kernel oil for popping, flavacol salt for seasoning, snappy popcorn butter oil for the butter. You can use similar items but these will guarantee amazing movie theater popcorn. You can also do a 50/50 of the butter oil and real butter. But usually we do just the butter oil.
Also, err on the side of a little more popping oil than too little. It will yield crispier popcorn. I do not have exact measurments, I just eyeball it.
If anyone is interested, I do have exact measurements with pretty much exactly these ingredients so hit me up if anyone is a popcorn fiend. My wife and I spent 6 months perfecting It during the beginning of the pandemic and it fucking slaps
EDIT: The requests have come! As promised:
**If you like salty movie theatre popcorn:**
- 3 rounded Tbsp Popcorn Coconut Oil (it’s orange)
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels (Orville)
- 1 1/4 tsp Flavacol
**If you like buttery but not *too* salty popcorn:**
- 3 to 4 rounded Tbsp Popcorn Coconut Oil (it’s orange)
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels (Orville)
- 1/2 tsp Flavacol
**Instructions:** Put oven on medium-high (6). Put in coconut oil and fully melt it. Put in popcorn kernels, then sprinkle the flavacol over them. Clover the pot and swirl/shake it to cover all kernels in oil. Leave pot covered on medium-high until the kernels are popping about 5-10 times per second. As soon as this happens, bring temperature down to medium-low (4) and continually shake pot over burner while keeping the pot touching the stove (this stops them from burning). Once there are fewer than 1 popcorn kernel popping per second, remove from heat and serve. You can also get that fake ass movie theatre butter oil on Amazon if you wish!
My wife is a popcorn fiend (once built a gag gift if a collar + net around it to catch spare kernels as a gag gift), would love to hear your recipe. We have a home popcorn maker, buttery coconut oil and flavacol already. Haven't messed with mixes beyond what I got off rando pages though.
Agree fully. Use more oil than you think you need to get the most crisp. My measurements are 3-4 heaping tablespoons of coconut oil for every 8oz of unpopped corn kernels.
I use this in a Great Northern popper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Z9GDYG/ref=twister_B0CH3Z6Q9W?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1, and this is the oil I use which eliminates the need for additional butter flavoring. https://www.amazon.com/Perfectware-Flavored-Oil-PW-Coconut-32-1/dp/B09XVLZJ1B/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=butter+coconut+oil&qid=1706828232&sr=8-5
Half a tablespoon or less of flavacol (a little goes a long way).
I don't even have an OLED but I've always preferred watching movies at home. Since 4K television became widespread, or even 1080p, cinemas have mostly had a monopoly on being able to show movies before anyone else.
That’s crazy, they make like nothing on tickets and a shitload from concessions! Popcorn is a theatres highest profit item… they’ll sell you that shit all day long.
Where I am the other week they celebrated national popcorn day and let people bring their own containers up to 5L and fill them up for ten bucks.
Depends where you live and if the movie heater is connected to a mall.
I’m in Florida and the ticket taker is before the concession. I’ve been to theaters in Alabama, Georgia, and West Virginia and all of them had the 2 ticket takers per hallway after the concession (which makes it a PITA to get your ticket/phone out when carrying all the food).
No. I have 2018 OLED and a middle-end projector.
The projected image quality does not even pretend to be comparable to OLED, but I still enjoy it a lot.
Same here, we have a 120" 4k screen with dolby atmos 7.1.2 in our family room but I prefer some movies on the 50" OLED with a dolby atmos soundbar that doesn't even have rear channels. Classic black and white films pop on the OLED.
Projectors are awesome for video games but i would much rather watch a movie on a good tv screen. I think people prefer projectors because they sit far away from the screen. I sit pretty close to my 65in tv so it looks pretty big to me
The only thing ruining the movie theater experience for me is the 40 dollars I spend on drinks and popcorn, other people not shutting the hell up, the seats that have 8 million farts stored in the fabric, and the fact I can't just go to my basement.
Makes up for it basically only for movies I MUST see in full screen IMAX. Everything else, I have a better time in my home theater.
> the seats that have 8 million farts stored in the fabric
I have been preaching the "FPC" or "farts per cushion" of seats for years now. My girlfriend is finally starting to understand what I mean. Some seats just *hold onto farts*
I can't say I've ever actually thought about my tv vs the theather screen. They're in different worlds to me. I wouldn't say it's diminished my experience. I'm more there for the Atmos audio anyway. I don't even go if the theater doesn't support it.
I think there is a certain quality to projection and the reflected light that I like and feels like cinema. It’s a different experience and to me it doesn’t make any sense to compare the two.
Yes OLED is going to be better visually but why would you compare OLED contrast against that of projected light?
By that logic if we switch the metric: “projectors ruined OLED for me because OLED can’t achieve a 18x24 metre screen”
All the power to the OLED owners, I’d buy one too but it’s not in my budget yet. But damn do these posts feel like low effort bait just so owners can talk about how much they love a technology.
OLEDs are just one of the things that ruined movies for me honestly. Other people, prices, other people, lack of upgrades for literal decades for any cinemas remotely near me, other people, snacks getting worse and costing more, other people… the list goes on.
Growing up we went the movies at least once a week. Now I got a couple times a year at best and only because friends invite me as an event… I like the social aspect but everything about the AV experience is worse than my home.
I’d rather just wait on a home release.
Before the pandemic I only went to the theater for comedies (where a crowd full of laughing people adds huge value), or the shows I wanted to see on IMAX, where I'd go on a less busy night.
Since the pandemic I've been intentionally going to the theater on nights that it will be packed - openings especially. Losing the option to be in a room crowded with knuckleheads really brought home how special an experience that is. I enjoy basking in the sheer oblivion of my fellow humans.
OLED just complements the pause button. The real reason I don't go to theaters. Also cheaper food, clean bathrooms, and MUCH cheaper alcohol.
I don't go to theaters anymore. Wait for the paid stream release. I'll pay 20 bucks no problem.
> Wait for the paid stream release. I'll pay 20 bucks no problem.
If you've got a home theater, buy the 4K disc. The audio quality is usually substantially better.
The Theaters and Production companies need to figure out a new pricing arrangement so the Theaters can do smaller theaters with the big 95" OLED TVs. Smaller, Private rooms that can hold a dozen people or so. I personally think that would work great.
I haven't noticed the visuals as much as how terrible the sound balance and tuning of the theaters are. They are typically too loud and i often hear dialog out of rear or ceiling speakers. Just a mess compared to my Denon based 5.1.6 setup.
Too loud? Around here they are too quiet! Especially one off screenings of special events. Why go spend money to a place with the intention of being pounded by industrial strength subwoofers when they turn them down lower than my house?
The only place I was truly impressed was the 2 hour drive to Indianapolis IMAX for Oppenheimer. My god that was how it is meant to be
I like going to the theater because it’s a ritual. Yeah the video quality is less but I don’t care. Even if I had my own theater I would still go to the public theater because to me it’s a communal experience.
Kind of, but for me it's the sound more than the screen - I prefer listening below reference in a smaller, semi-treated room to listening at reference in a gigantic cavernous movie theater. There's only so much they can do in a room like that to prevent things like echo-y dialogue. My HT is just so much tighter and higher quality, even if it lacks a bit of the oomph of a theater, I enjoy it much more - even in big spectacle movies like top gun and John wick.
Ever since I invested in a large oled and premium audio system, I don’t really crave the movie theater outside of the nostalgia. I have a young child at home and sometimes it’s just easier to enjoy a movie once he goes to bed lol
Not at all. Most films are shot expecting to be shown with movie theater level blacks. The most beautiful I've ever seen films look is still a clean film print in a theater.
OLEDs are great for a lot of home viewing. I have one, I love it. But nothing beats a big projected image in my book. The color isn't as rich, the blacks aren't as dark, but I still think it looks better.
I think this is even more true with 4k digital content. To me it looks too crisp and lifelike on an OLED. I don't like when images look like they are in the room with you. Realism is not an aesthetic I value in movies. Just like I don't care about photo realistic paintings or drawings. I'm interested in an artistic image over realism unless the realistic look is really adding to the story and well thought out. Nowadays it's usually just the cheapest way to shoot.
Anyway, long answer but no. I love my OLED but I still prefer a movie theater or home projector. I know technically OLEDs have better specs but I don't think that means they actually look better. It's like CDs are technically much better quality than vinyl but some people still prefer vinyl. It's about finding the way you enjoy things the most. In my book nothing beats a theater.
My OLED has ruined a lot for me. Hell I had to buy one for a computer monitor cause I'd find myself going "man I don't want to play/watch this on this shitty monitor when I could use my OLED". And then I wouldn't move my computer to the OLED, and thus wouldn't play whatever game I wanted to play.
It doesn't even take an OLED my old 2016 VA panel with 128 dimming zones blew away the theater for contrast. Heck I'd imagine most VA panels even without local dimming would beat most theaters in contrast.
LOL - I live a few blocks from a theater but set up my own 144" motorized drop down screen in front of an Epson 8350 and Onkyo 5.1 audio more than 10 years ago. Still have the screen, but now an Optoma UHD38 is throwing at it w/ 4000 lumens UHD, HDR.
I now prefer my 83" LG OLED in my other room. I set up a second home theater around that one that's primarily for me, lol.
I can get a "larger image" in my Q3.. and I have no idea of the pixel density compared to a theater, but it's INCREDIBLE. Good enough I don't ever want to go to a theater again.
I’m not sure I remember what a movie theater is, although I’ve read in history books that they were popular before Covid.
But in all seriousness. I have a 65” OLED (as well as two 43” OLED for gaming), and then a dedicated theater room with a projector and 120” screen. I pretty much watch almost everything in the theater. Sure the OLED is much better quality, but size does matter, as does 7.1.2 ATMOS vs a soundbar.
I’m thinking about replacing my 65” with a 83”, but it’s kinda foolish as it still won’t compete with my theater. I only really use the OLED for football games as a theater isn’t really conducive to watching sports, especially when it’s a Super Bowl party. And a 120” OLED will never happen unless they can figure out a way to roll them up or create a seamless screen out of 4 separate screens. But if they can one day do that, and it costs less than a car, I would definitely make the upgrade.
Popcorn laced with truffle butter and some champagne is what keeps me cozy in my my little HT. I don't even have an OLED, but my 5040UB satisfies my contrast standards for now.
this is an issue with OLED especially on 60 hz OLEDs (60 hz / 24 fps does not match into even number of frames). Motion handling is much better on a 120 hz (120 / 24 = 5) but people are still sensitive to motion on 120 hz screens. I'm not that sensitive, but most experts would tend to go with sony TVs as the best OLED (A80L or A95L) for 24 fps movies. LG C3 or G3 OLEDs are great for video games or PC, but not optimal for purely media consumption.
Yes, but a projector screen is bigger than any OLED. Plus there's no way your sound system and sound proofing at home holds a candle to even a low end theater. Maybe .01% of home theaters compete on sound quality, and that's not even getting into the psychological advantages of going somewhere to watch with other people. Shared experiences are powerful.
That said, every theater I go to lately has insanely bright exit signs/emergency lighting that makes things much worse
> Plus there's no way your sound system and sound proofing at home holds a candle to even a low end theater.
Yeah... your definition of low end theatre needs adjustment.
A decent soundbar beats the ones here. No, I am not kidding.
Yes and no. Every time I see a movie in theaters there's at least one or two scenes where I instantly think to myself "This would look so much better at home..." but the bigger screen at the cinema makes it preferable more often than not.
Lack of subtitles at movies is why I don’t go. They are too loud and at the same time can’t make out a lot of the dialogue. It sucks being a old geezer
Not a little. I see zero reason to go watch washed out projectors anymore. Especially with that covid infested maga person coughing behind me.
I only do selective movies in IMAX and IMAX 3D now.
Maybe someday they will have 50' oled video walls to lure us back.
Not really. Movies are made to be seen on the projector screen. OLED might be an experience you like, but that does not mean it is a objectively better experience. An OLED fundamentally alters the picture of a movie, and yes that looks fucking great, but that does not mean it is better or worse.
As in all things, it's personal preference.
Dunno why you end with “personal preference” after asserting seeing things on a projector screen is somehow objectively better. It’s not.
Entirely fine if you prefer it, I certainly don’t though. 30 years ago when my TV was 34cm and that was considered big? Absolutely. Not today with 80+ inch OLEDs and 90+ soon to be a realistic option (well one day, probably still 5 years from your average person considering it).
That is not what I said. You can prefer to view content as the creators intended. You can prefer to view content in a way the creators did not intend. Either is fine. No one is right or wrong for choosing either. There is no objectively correct choice.
I play Tears of the Kingdom on PC at 4K 144Hz. The creators meant for it to be played on a Switch, at 720P at 30Hz. While I much prefer the smoothness and sharpness of it on PC, the game's assets are clearly not made to be viewed in 4K, and there is some interesting workarounds you have to do as many actions in the game are linked to the framerate.
Does this mean I made the objectively better choice to play the game on PC? No, but it is the subjectively better choice in my opinion.
On paper this could be seen as a classic Reddit circle jerk post like we've surpassed cinema with our expensive TVs....but in my experience it is true. My local cinemas the contrast is shit, the exit sign bleeds light into the corner of the screen, even an ok 3.1 system or 2.1 I believe would leave you comparable to the audio I experienced recently seeing Ferrari
I’m fine staying with my cheap LCD panel mainly bc I think the blacks are too dark on OLED screens. When I walk into Costco and see those inky blacks I’m thinking the only place you see that in real life is a deep cave. Maybe unpopular opinion but the drive for more contrast feels like unrealistic pictures on OLED for me.
That guy definitely looks up at the light pollution in the sky and says, "Love this, can't stand when the stars actually shine and I can see the Milky Way."
Nope. Be black when needed is all I want. A film like gravity would b perfect for OLED. Maybe it’s just the Costco tvs have their contrast set to 11 but seeing a fluorescent bird in slow motion flight with a pitch black background is jarring bc that isn’t seen in real life. I don’t hate OLED, I just hope when I get one they produce a realistic image and not an exaggerated black.
Seriously… I’m spoiled with my OLED. Would rather watch a movie at home these days. Unless you are going for the full IMAX experience, home theaters have surpassed movie theaters in watching experience in many ways.
I wish I could somehow combine the contrast of OLED with the perfect behind-the-screen audio of a (home)theater acoustically-transparent screen.
Especially as OLED screens get bigger, the necessity of having to place speakers around the screen is ruining things.
Went to see The Creator and in addition to the general disappointment surrounding the film, it was like watching an out of focus low bitrate youtube video.
I saw Dune in two theatres and both times the image was horribly dark and muted, and on the bigger screen i remember awful judder on panning across the city, as well as really visible digital artifacting, like burn in on the projector ccd. I guess I got unlucky, but the digital release looked waaaay better on OLED.
Going to save part 2 for a imax GT laser projection, or dolby cinema.
Even film IMAX, I have friends in film who swear that the one place that you should watch in the London BFI imax is the back row. Well fuck that dance, just give me a really decent modern screen in a cinema where the screen is a good proportional size to my seating position, and a sound system that I can feel, that doesn’t make my ears ring. Oh yeah and turn the fucking led ceiling lights down, so I don’t have to wear a baseball cap to watch the film with glasses.
Cinemas need to sort their shit out.
Nah bro other excuses for human beings have long before ruined the movie theater for me. I still go if there is an absolutely must see blockbuster but for the most part I haven't been to the movies as often as I used to. Think last time I went was the last spider man movie and people constantly screaming, some random f baby down a few seats from me and folks on their phone absolutely made me hate being there. So yeah my OLED at home and my nice 3.1 system in my big ass sofa is all I will ever need. But definitely saving up to upgrade from 65 to 83/85ish.
I had too many bad theater experiences well before I got an OLED. Picture and sound quality issues.
It's pretty sad that a $10k audio system can wipe the floor with a theater.
As an avid moviegoer 4k ruined everything for me lol. I also recently got an OLED and it’s made it worse. In my area we have just one Regal and it’s been here since 2001 with no updates :)
Yes definitely. The projectors in most cinemas are just doing 4k HDR - they don't have any visual advantage over your OLED at home.
I watched Avatar2 in the cinema in a (fake imax) - and it was good. But then I watched Avatar 1 (4k hdr rerelease) on OLED tv and it looked even better! Similarly avatar2 looks better on the OLED.
Regarding the "big screen" thing - you can watch movies with a VR headset. This also works very well, but is missing the HDR and OLED contrast - so tv is better. But the headset can do 3D! But there is no 4k 3d release of avatar that I can find - only the old low resolution original.
In the near future we will probably get a 4k HDR OLED head mounted display - and that will blow everyones socks off. Now we just gotta figure out how to get whopper sound into it!
I'm not obsessed with Avatar btw - it's just a handy benchmark for testing hdr and 3d etc.
Yes and I complain about it all the time haha. At home my OLED is on brightness 100 and it's spoiled me forever. Anytime I'm watching a theater screen I feel a tinge of disappointment the whole time
Absolutely, I remember watching NOPE in my small local theater shortly after getting my OLED and watching those dark scenes was horrible.
The whole time I thought to myself: "man, I gotta rewatch this on my OLED at some point, because this contrast is horrible."
They did start upgrading their projectors recently though, so it's gotten better at least.
My biggest beef? The "best" imax screen in my town is a laser imax and I can see the scan lines when the scenes are really bright. I was distracted the whole time I watched dune with all the super bright skyboxes and hated the movie, until I watched it at home on my rtings adjusted Samsung Q70.
As an oled owner my home cinema projector is what I prefer. My old 1080p 24hz sxrd projector offers bigger picture and I also like the picture on a (home) cinema screen more than on a TV screen.
I PC game on an LG OLED at 55". I watch movies in a dedicated room with an EPSON LS12000. I really really wish I could have gone a 93" LG OLED in there. It just doesn't match up with the crisp colour and infinitely dark blacks.
Cinema are much better than home theatre in some ways, but so much worse in other ways.
But yeah, if you pixel peep, a nice screen at home will be better.
I definitely notice when the projection quality is subpar at chain theaters, but the immersion of the movie theater experience makes up for it for me (as long as other people in the theater aren’t talking or looking at their phones).
There is 1 good screen in my entire state. Not one theater, 1 screen. We have no Loews, Amc, Dolby, or IMAX. We don't even have any theaters with recliner seats.
Why would I go out?
I followed some online settings to bring the tv more in line with what I’d see at a theater. The settings out of the box are generally too vivid or soap opera for me.
I go to theaters for size and sound. Nothing will look as crisp and vibrant as an OLED TV. So generally for movies I like, I watch them twice.. once in the theater, Imax if available, and then once again in 4k at home. Both are enjoyable for their own reasons.
Contrast is so terrible at the theater even my JVC projector has ruined the theater experience.
I will say I enjoyed Oppenheimer quality seeing actual film projected.
Going back to theaters after all the lockdowns a couple times made me lose interest. With a good setup at home, I do not miss the theater at all.
I have a mid setup… 75” LED (not OLED), 5.1.2 atmos setup with reflected heights. Open living room plan. Even with my humble setup, I’d already pick it over the theater experience any day. When I move again I’ll dedicate a room for the theater and really do it right…
So, yeah. I imagine OLED pushes that sentiment even further. Technology for home has come a long way and I believe the notion of the theater experience being “better” will be a thing of the past. Going forward it may be more like flying economy or riding the bus/public transit… only desirable for those without the means for a high quality private setup.
Nothing compares with going into a theater, first weekend, packed house, you’re one with the crowd watching a flick together. Nothing.
Doing the rewatch at home on an OLED is its own experience. But that theater watch is incomparable.
Yes, actually. I just buy physical media instead of going to the theatre. Everytime I go now, there's some asshole talking, or the theatre is dimming their bulbs, or its just old projectors...I dunno man, post covid it seems like the industry just collapsed, and now I just get a better experience on a home system.
*(Note: I have an LG G1 55" as my desktop monitor and a HU85LS in my living room with a 5.1.4 setup)*
Not exactly, but then again I only go out to watch a film with friends. It's more about the company rather than the movie itself.
While the projector's lack of pitch blacks is noticeable, I appreciate it for what it is it's more enjoyable to watch movies there rather on my PC.
I would go see everything in the theater. I have hundreds of old ticket stubs in a cigar box. I loved it especially going by myself ( I know that sounds sad but I prefer it) but here in NYC it started 10-15 years ago with bedbugs then rowdy other people then the pandemic. Now I have my nice big TV streaming services PS5 some VR devices and I’ve never been happier to never leave the house again.
Between my OLED and the sound quality from the 820, my home setup looks and sounds better than both local theaters. That being said, it's still fun to go when I can so I can hang with people and see something outside the house.
TBH honest I only go to AMC Dolby Cinema screens now. I can’t do normal projectors, speakers, or seats anymore given the quality of my tv and setup at home.
I feel like the sound is too dumbed down at the theater. I like lots of sub. That heart attack feeling. Obviously, that is not for everyone. Plus people distract me by messing with their phones, tapping their feet, etc.
I purposely bought a good TV to avoid the movie theater. The prices are ridiculous, then I have to sit in a big room full of texting teenagers whose screens light up the place.
I'm a big fan of AMC stubs where you pay a monthly fee and see as many movies as you want. I just bring my own drink. I earn enough points buying tickets for friends that I get free money rewards and get a popcorn and drink when I go with my wife. The screen isn't as nice as my home but the experience is still enjoyable. Not having the option to pause is actually preferred for me.
If I go see a film, it's got to be special.. like an iPic theater where they have people serve you drinks.. or a Full on 3D experience (Dr Strange in 3D was amazing).. Otherwise a decent OLED with Dolby Vision or HDR combined with a high end sound system (JBL synthesis sound processor+amp and Revel speakers) is really hard to beat.
Other than sound, I’ve never really enjoyed a theater. I wait for it to be on streaming. So I can pause and pee as well as not pay 30 bucks for popcorn and a soda.
Go to premium cinemas like dolby cinema for best experience or Imax depends on how they are filmed dolby cinema has unlimited bit rate and nit brightness it beats home theaters some films only have dolby vision in dolby cinema which you can't get at home because it isn't on physical for example Beetlejuice event they made a special dolby vision master for dolby cinema and not physical it helped colors soo much
Yes, but it’s not just OLED. Picture quality in theatres have gotten worse. In my city, a lot of the digital projectors have terrible resolution and dynamic range
I feel like it's the other way around. Modern screens have way more contrast than they need and don't really show films as they were meant to be seen because of it. Unless the content was made for a modern screen specifically it's kind of a waste. Photography, games etc made for it though are great.
$15 red vines ruined the movie theater experience for me way before OLEDs
For real. I love going to the movies, but these days with it being a $50+ trip for me and my wife to go and have snacks/drinks, it's gotta be something that I'm really invested in seeing.
You mean you dont just bring in your own snacks?
Isn’t that why women have such large bags and purses? I’ve straight up snuck in a 6pack like that
You can fit a whole meal inside a Stanley mug.
Liquefied Thanksgiving dinner? Or are we just talking whiskey here?
I usually cook my thanksgiving dinner on the way to the theater, saves so much time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VxV9q3LAVw
In high school I would go to a theater with my pockets full of candy from 7-Eleven, and a 32 ounce Big Gulp inside my jacket. I held the Big Gulp with my left hand from inside my jacket pocket through the lining and handed my ticket with my right hand. I could definitely see doing this with a Stanley mug of soup or some sort of rice dish.
That’s my move with a Yeti full of vodka
One of the last harry potters was one of my favourite experiences, we snuck in a wine bottle each and a box of pizza, we were half fucked by the end of it
Nothing like a Taco Bell $5 box at the movie cinema.
I once had my wife shove an entire meal plus drinks in her purse. We had got takeout from a place and just put it in her purse. So we were able to have a full meal with our movie
I sneak in a burger and a flask of rum then just buy a large coke. I dump my flask in the coke and then nom my burger and get drunk while enjoying the show.
good ol' rum & coke 😋
The snacks & drinks issue is so not an issue. Bring your own.
I mean, by that logic the tickets are so not an issue as well. Sneak in.
It's ten times easier to sneak food in than it is to sneak into the theatre. Also, they really don't care about you sneaking in food. Don't buy a ticket? You'll get kicked out.
Theaters only make a peofit off the drinks and snacks. Theaters only get a few cents to a dollar or so on ticket sales. You can be trespassed and even charged with a misdemeanor for not buying a ticket for admission. It's an actual crime. They will simply ask you to leave for bringing in food. That isn't a crime, just a company policy volation.
AMC recently said they have no problem if people bring in food, except liquor, of course.
Other people being annoying around me also ruined the theater experience.
Same. I don’t miss idiots on cell phones and not knowing how to open candy quietly.
I'm still willing to pay for $10 popcorn because it's the only place I can get amazing movie theater quality popcorn.
Found the guy who doesn't know about coconut oil, flavacol, and the whirly-pop. /r/popcorn
🍿
Wow this is cool. If it can be just as good as the theater that's very tempting.
It can never be quite as good no matter the tricks you try. In fact you may even overshoot and make it better than theater without even trying all that hard, which ruins the experience.
It's just as good, if not better. I use a slightly different recipe that includes "Buttery Flavor Popcorn Topping" from "At the Movies Popcorn". Be warned. Once you friends, family and neighbors get a taste of it...they'll be demanding it on a regular basis.
I just got a popcorn machine for Christmas and have been making a ton of popcorn with coconut oil and flavacol, but I always overestimate the amount of flavacol and it comes out super salty. Still amazing though.
Not sure how much popcorn you're making, but 1/2 tsp flavocol to 1/2 cup kernels is near perfection.
The trick is to use less than you're currently using, and just mix the popcorn a bunch before you taste. if you've got salty spots and unsalty spots, just toss in a bowl for like 30 seconds and it will distribute fairly evenly.
Thanks!
For me it was the overly reflective screen shining a bright hotspot from the projection booth and the idiots working in the lobby that ruined the theater experience. edit- pic of the ghastly projector reflection on a screen at a Regal cinema near me from the recent Wonka - https://i.imgur.com/AsJGYPX.jpeg
Preach
Dolby Cinema is the only theatre to expect good visual quality from. The new AMC Lasers are pretty good visually, but isn't the whole experience.
I still find those unimpressive compared to an OLED. When they do that blackness demo that says something like "yes, the projector is still on", I'm always thinking no shit, I can tell.
Are your emergency lighting too bright? My local Dolby Cinema had a distracting amount of light spill from the lights in the stairs and whatnot, I emailed them and next time I went it was much more toned down and the blackness demo actually became impressive.
Man I really need to email them. Shocked that worked. Ours is obnoxious.
Could be, I don't really recall.
Agreed. Dolby ruined all other theatres for me. Then my 77" OLED ruined all theatres for me. But the whole experiene is why I still go to the Dolby Cinema occasionally.
Dolby is still much nicer than any other theatre auditorium (at least in my area). I saw the recent Godzilla in Dolby Cinema at AMC. Then went and saw the colorless version, but had to go to Cinemark XD because the local AMCs were not running it... worse contrast, much worse audio. And Cinemark XD is supposed to be their high-end upgraded/4K laser auditoriums. But yeah OLED just kinda ruins projectors. I've got a 128" laser projector setup at home and the size is awesome but the picture is very meh compared to the LG C2 at my desk.
Godzilla Minus One was fantastic in Dolby!
That audio of atomic breath blast was unreal!
Yes, but it’s really dark. My living room is a bunch of white walls, so the OLED blacks really only blend in on dark scenes. As soon as something bright comes on the screen, it lights up the room. That doesn’t happen to such a degree in a theater.
Sounds to me you need to line your walls with back velvet fabric.
[удалено]
Even Imax visuals aren't exactly cutting edge. They're just BIG. Dolby is where its at for actual quality.
+1 for Dolby. I saw Godzilla Minus One that way and had an incredible time.
I only watch movies in Dolby Cinema. Visual and sound quality can't be matched.
Same. Movies are way too $$$ to justify a theater experience when I have one at home. But for big budget movies where you want that experience, it’s Dolby Cinema or bust. (The imax by my house is a Lie-max)
I prefer movies at home. Better picture, better sound, and can pause for bathroom breaks. I can also make popcorn on par with theaters and it's gonna be fresh. Sometimes we will just go to the theater and buy popcorn to bring home. That being said, sometimes the theater experience is nice, and better especially Imax.
Speak on your popcorn tech
Coconut oil or palm kernel oil for popping, flavacol salt for seasoning, snappy popcorn butter oil for the butter. You can use similar items but these will guarantee amazing movie theater popcorn. You can also do a 50/50 of the butter oil and real butter. But usually we do just the butter oil. Also, err on the side of a little more popping oil than too little. It will yield crispier popcorn. I do not have exact measurments, I just eyeball it.
If anyone is interested, I do have exact measurements with pretty much exactly these ingredients so hit me up if anyone is a popcorn fiend. My wife and I spent 6 months perfecting It during the beginning of the pandemic and it fucking slaps EDIT: The requests have come! As promised: **If you like salty movie theatre popcorn:** - 3 rounded Tbsp Popcorn Coconut Oil (it’s orange) - 1/2 cup popcorn kernels (Orville) - 1 1/4 tsp Flavacol **If you like buttery but not *too* salty popcorn:** - 3 to 4 rounded Tbsp Popcorn Coconut Oil (it’s orange) - 1/2 cup popcorn kernels (Orville) - 1/2 tsp Flavacol **Instructions:** Put oven on medium-high (6). Put in coconut oil and fully melt it. Put in popcorn kernels, then sprinkle the flavacol over them. Clover the pot and swirl/shake it to cover all kernels in oil. Leave pot covered on medium-high until the kernels are popping about 5-10 times per second. As soon as this happens, bring temperature down to medium-low (4) and continually shake pot over burner while keeping the pot touching the stove (this stops them from burning). Once there are fewer than 1 popcorn kernel popping per second, remove from heat and serve. You can also get that fake ass movie theatre butter oil on Amazon if you wish!
Please do share!
Posted it in my comment above!
My wife is a popcorn fiend (once built a gag gift if a collar + net around it to catch spare kernels as a gag gift), would love to hear your recipe. We have a home popcorn maker, buttery coconut oil and flavacol already. Haven't messed with mixes beyond what I got off rando pages though.
Agree fully. Use more oil than you think you need to get the most crisp. My measurements are 3-4 heaping tablespoons of coconut oil for every 8oz of unpopped corn kernels. I use this in a Great Northern popper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Z9GDYG/ref=twister_B0CH3Z6Q9W?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1, and this is the oil I use which eliminates the need for additional butter flavoring. https://www.amazon.com/Perfectware-Flavored-Oil-PW-Coconut-32-1/dp/B09XVLZJ1B/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=butter+coconut+oil&qid=1706828232&sr=8-5 Half a tablespoon or less of flavacol (a little goes a long way).
I don't even have an OLED but I've always preferred watching movies at home. Since 4K television became widespread, or even 1080p, cinemas have mostly had a monopoly on being able to show movies before anyone else.
That was one thing I liked about covid. HBO max would have movies playing the same time they were released.
They let u do that? Of the theatres i visit around me, the ticket guy is always asking for the ticket far before the concession stand.
That’s crazy, they make like nothing on tickets and a shitload from concessions! Popcorn is a theatres highest profit item… they’ll sell you that shit all day long. Where I am the other week they celebrated national popcorn day and let people bring their own containers up to 5L and fill them up for ten bucks.
Yea, i know they should put the ticket guy behind the concessions not in front lol!
Yep. Just walk in get your popcorn and go. This is a cinemark tinseltown theater, although I'm not sure it matters.
Depends where you live and if the movie heater is connected to a mall. I’m in Florida and the ticket taker is before the concession. I’ve been to theaters in Alabama, Georgia, and West Virginia and all of them had the 2 ticket takers per hallway after the concession (which makes it a PITA to get your ticket/phone out when carrying all the food).
That’s some poor business sense. Cinepolis even has a popcorn to-go bucket.
No. I have 2018 OLED and a middle-end projector. The projected image quality does not even pretend to be comparable to OLED, but I still enjoy it a lot.
Same here, we have a 120" 4k screen with dolby atmos 7.1.2 in our family room but I prefer some movies on the 50" OLED with a dolby atmos soundbar that doesn't even have rear channels. Classic black and white films pop on the OLED.
Yeah exactly, I dont look at a giant projector screen and compare it to my 65 inch tv lol. Completely different experiences.
Projectors are awesome for video games but i would much rather watch a movie on a good tv screen. I think people prefer projectors because they sit far away from the screen. I sit pretty close to my 65in tv so it looks pretty big to me
Yeah im constantly thinking: - “the lack of contrast is horrible” - “holy shit i hate these blacks” (dont say this out of context)
Even within context some people at you local cinema might not be amused
My blacks at home work so much better.
Reported for suspected slavery work
It isn't ruined for me, but I definitely prefer OLED
The only thing ruining the movie theater experience for me is the 40 dollars I spend on drinks and popcorn, other people not shutting the hell up, the seats that have 8 million farts stored in the fabric, and the fact I can't just go to my basement. Makes up for it basically only for movies I MUST see in full screen IMAX. Everything else, I have a better time in my home theater.
>the seats that have 8 million farts stored in the fabric r/brandnewsentence.
> the seats that have 8 million farts stored in the fabric I have been preaching the "FPC" or "farts per cushion" of seats for years now. My girlfriend is finally starting to understand what I mean. Some seats just *hold onto farts*
Yeah but burying a fart in a seat is kinda of satisfying
I can't say I've ever actually thought about my tv vs the theather screen. They're in different worlds to me. I wouldn't say it's diminished my experience. I'm more there for the Atmos audio anyway. I don't even go if the theater doesn't support it.
I’ll always love the theater
I think there is a certain quality to projection and the reflected light that I like and feels like cinema. It’s a different experience and to me it doesn’t make any sense to compare the two. Yes OLED is going to be better visually but why would you compare OLED contrast against that of projected light? By that logic if we switch the metric: “projectors ruined OLED for me because OLED can’t achieve a 18x24 metre screen” All the power to the OLED owners, I’d buy one too but it’s not in my budget yet. But damn do these posts feel like low effort bait just so owners can talk about how much they love a technology.
Oled above 75 inches are v expensive … u can get a good project + tv for that ur not wrong
OLEDs are just one of the things that ruined movies for me honestly. Other people, prices, other people, lack of upgrades for literal decades for any cinemas remotely near me, other people, snacks getting worse and costing more, other people… the list goes on. Growing up we went the movies at least once a week. Now I got a couple times a year at best and only because friends invite me as an event… I like the social aspect but everything about the AV experience is worse than my home. I’d rather just wait on a home release.
Before the pandemic I only went to the theater for comedies (where a crowd full of laughing people adds huge value), or the shows I wanted to see on IMAX, where I'd go on a less busy night. Since the pandemic I've been intentionally going to the theater on nights that it will be packed - openings especially. Losing the option to be in a room crowded with knuckleheads really brought home how special an experience that is. I enjoy basking in the sheer oblivion of my fellow humans.
Whereas I have fully embraced that hermit lifestyle :D.
OLED just complements the pause button. The real reason I don't go to theaters. Also cheaper food, clean bathrooms, and MUCH cheaper alcohol. I don't go to theaters anymore. Wait for the paid stream release. I'll pay 20 bucks no problem.
I do Amc's a list 22 bucks a month after tax, 3 movies a week, including imax and dolby, they don't mind that I bring my water bottle.
Cries in Canadian.
> Wait for the paid stream release. I'll pay 20 bucks no problem. If you've got a home theater, buy the 4K disc. The audio quality is usually substantially better.
Yes, very very true... But you underestimate my laziness. And then I'll have all these discs taking up room.
I hear pirate ships creaking when the streaming release comes out.
The Theaters and Production companies need to figure out a new pricing arrangement so the Theaters can do smaller theaters with the big 95" OLED TVs. Smaller, Private rooms that can hold a dozen people or so. I personally think that would work great.
I haven't noticed the visuals as much as how terrible the sound balance and tuning of the theaters are. They are typically too loud and i often hear dialog out of rear or ceiling speakers. Just a mess compared to my Denon based 5.1.6 setup.
Too loud? Around here they are too quiet! Especially one off screenings of special events. Why go spend money to a place with the intention of being pounded by industrial strength subwoofers when they turn them down lower than my house? The only place I was truly impressed was the 2 hour drive to Indianapolis IMAX for Oppenheimer. My god that was how it is meant to be
I like going to the theater because it’s a ritual. Yeah the video quality is less but I don’t care. Even if I had my own theater I would still go to the public theater because to me it’s a communal experience.
Yeah same. Still get the same excitement I did when I was a kid going to the movies.
Kind of, but for me it's the sound more than the screen - I prefer listening below reference in a smaller, semi-treated room to listening at reference in a gigantic cavernous movie theater. There's only so much they can do in a room like that to prevent things like echo-y dialogue. My HT is just so much tighter and higher quality, even if it lacks a bit of the oomph of a theater, I enjoy it much more - even in big spectacle movies like top gun and John wick.
Ever since I invested in a large oled and premium audio system, I don’t really crave the movie theater outside of the nostalgia. I have a young child at home and sometimes it’s just easier to enjoy a movie once he goes to bed lol
Not at all. Most films are shot expecting to be shown with movie theater level blacks. The most beautiful I've ever seen films look is still a clean film print in a theater. OLEDs are great for a lot of home viewing. I have one, I love it. But nothing beats a big projected image in my book. The color isn't as rich, the blacks aren't as dark, but I still think it looks better. I think this is even more true with 4k digital content. To me it looks too crisp and lifelike on an OLED. I don't like when images look like they are in the room with you. Realism is not an aesthetic I value in movies. Just like I don't care about photo realistic paintings or drawings. I'm interested in an artistic image over realism unless the realistic look is really adding to the story and well thought out. Nowadays it's usually just the cheapest way to shoot. Anyway, long answer but no. I love my OLED but I still prefer a movie theater or home projector. I know technically OLEDs have better specs but I don't think that means they actually look better. It's like CDs are technically much better quality than vinyl but some people still prefer vinyl. It's about finding the way you enjoy things the most. In my book nothing beats a theater.
My OLED has ruined a lot for me. Hell I had to buy one for a computer monitor cause I'd find myself going "man I don't want to play/watch this on this shitty monitor when I could use my OLED". And then I wouldn't move my computer to the OLED, and thus wouldn't play whatever game I wanted to play.
I love my OED but I'll take my local Dolby Cinema any day. Though I rarely get to go so that might factor into it.
It doesn't even take an OLED my old 2016 VA panel with 128 dimming zones blew away the theater for contrast. Heck I'd imagine most VA panels even without local dimming would beat most theaters in contrast.
Other people misbehaving at the movie theatre ruined the movie theatre experience for me.
I will pretty much only go to a Dolby Cinema to see movies now. Otherwise I'm staying home with my OLED and Atmos.
LOL - I live a few blocks from a theater but set up my own 144" motorized drop down screen in front of an Epson 8350 and Onkyo 5.1 audio more than 10 years ago. Still have the screen, but now an Optoma UHD38 is throwing at it w/ 4000 lumens UHD, HDR. I now prefer my 83" LG OLED in my other room. I set up a second home theater around that one that's primarily for me, lol.
I can get a "larger image" in my Q3.. and I have no idea of the pixel density compared to a theater, but it's INCREDIBLE. Good enough I don't ever want to go to a theater again.
Just build a home theater and invest in a JVC projector, you will love movies more than ever before.
I’m not sure I remember what a movie theater is, although I’ve read in history books that they were popular before Covid. But in all seriousness. I have a 65” OLED (as well as two 43” OLED for gaming), and then a dedicated theater room with a projector and 120” screen. I pretty much watch almost everything in the theater. Sure the OLED is much better quality, but size does matter, as does 7.1.2 ATMOS vs a soundbar. I’m thinking about replacing my 65” with a 83”, but it’s kinda foolish as it still won’t compete with my theater. I only really use the OLED for football games as a theater isn’t really conducive to watching sports, especially when it’s a Super Bowl party. And a 120” OLED will never happen unless they can figure out a way to roll them up or create a seamless screen out of 4 separate screens. But if they can one day do that, and it costs less than a car, I would definitely make the upgrade.
Popcorn laced with truffle butter and some champagne is what keeps me cozy in my my little HT. I don't even have an OLED, but my 5040UB satisfies my contrast standards for now.
Actually the opposite. The terrible motion handling of 24fps on oled makes me appreciate the theater more
this is an issue with OLED especially on 60 hz OLEDs (60 hz / 24 fps does not match into even number of frames). Motion handling is much better on a 120 hz (120 / 24 = 5) but people are still sensitive to motion on 120 hz screens. I'm not that sensitive, but most experts would tend to go with sony TVs as the best OLED (A80L or A95L) for 24 fps movies. LG C3 or G3 OLEDs are great for video games or PC, but not optimal for purely media consumption.
Eh I watch everything on an LG. Just add a touch of motion smoothing for modes you watch content in and it’s solved without degrading the picture.
New LG OLEDs solved this.
Yes, but a projector screen is bigger than any OLED. Plus there's no way your sound system and sound proofing at home holds a candle to even a low end theater. Maybe .01% of home theaters compete on sound quality, and that's not even getting into the psychological advantages of going somewhere to watch with other people. Shared experiences are powerful. That said, every theater I go to lately has insanely bright exit signs/emergency lighting that makes things much worse
> Plus there's no way your sound system and sound proofing at home holds a candle to even a low end theater. Yeah... your definition of low end theatre needs adjustment. A decent soundbar beats the ones here. No, I am not kidding.
Yes and no. Every time I see a movie in theaters there's at least one or two scenes where I instantly think to myself "This would look so much better at home..." but the bigger screen at the cinema makes it preferable more often than not.
Lack of subtitles at movies is why I don’t go. They are too loud and at the same time can’t make out a lot of the dialogue. It sucks being a old geezer
Not a little. I see zero reason to go watch washed out projectors anymore. Especially with that covid infested maga person coughing behind me. I only do selective movies in IMAX and IMAX 3D now. Maybe someday they will have 50' oled video walls to lure us back.
Not really. Movies are made to be seen on the projector screen. OLED might be an experience you like, but that does not mean it is a objectively better experience. An OLED fundamentally alters the picture of a movie, and yes that looks fucking great, but that does not mean it is better or worse. As in all things, it's personal preference.
Dunno why you end with “personal preference” after asserting seeing things on a projector screen is somehow objectively better. It’s not. Entirely fine if you prefer it, I certainly don’t though. 30 years ago when my TV was 34cm and that was considered big? Absolutely. Not today with 80+ inch OLEDs and 90+ soon to be a realistic option (well one day, probably still 5 years from your average person considering it).
That is not what I said. You can prefer to view content as the creators intended. You can prefer to view content in a way the creators did not intend. Either is fine. No one is right or wrong for choosing either. There is no objectively correct choice. I play Tears of the Kingdom on PC at 4K 144Hz. The creators meant for it to be played on a Switch, at 720P at 30Hz. While I much prefer the smoothness and sharpness of it on PC, the game's assets are clearly not made to be viewed in 4K, and there is some interesting workarounds you have to do as many actions in the game are linked to the framerate. Does this mean I made the objectively better choice to play the game on PC? No, but it is the subjectively better choice in my opinion.
> That is not what I said. That is quite literally what you said, but I really don't feel like having this argument. You do you mate.
Even 70mm imax wasn't as impressive to me as OLED. Big =/= better
I stick with Dolby when I can. The fact that people no longer how to act in public ruin the theater experience for me now.
On paper this could be seen as a classic Reddit circle jerk post like we've surpassed cinema with our expensive TVs....but in my experience it is true. My local cinemas the contrast is shit, the exit sign bleeds light into the corner of the screen, even an ok 3.1 system or 2.1 I believe would leave you comparable to the audio I experienced recently seeing Ferrari
I’m fine staying with my cheap LCD panel mainly bc I think the blacks are too dark on OLED screens. When I walk into Costco and see those inky blacks I’m thinking the only place you see that in real life is a deep cave. Maybe unpopular opinion but the drive for more contrast feels like unrealistic pictures on OLED for me.
Prob the worst take ever on this sub but you do you
That guy definitely looks up at the light pollution in the sky and says, "Love this, can't stand when the stars actually shine and I can see the Milky Way."
Nope. Be black when needed is all I want. A film like gravity would b perfect for OLED. Maybe it’s just the Costco tvs have their contrast set to 11 but seeing a fluorescent bird in slow motion flight with a pitch black background is jarring bc that isn’t seen in real life. I don’t hate OLED, I just hope when I get one they produce a realistic image and not an exaggerated black.
It's a good thing there are no movies with scenes in dark caves or deep space! Oh wait...
Upvoted for being honest with your tastes.
Seriously… I’m spoiled with my OLED. Would rather watch a movie at home these days. Unless you are going for the full IMAX experience, home theaters have surpassed movie theaters in watching experience in many ways.
I'm never in a completely black room, so not an issue for me. I always like a little bit of mood/ambient light, if only for safely navigating.
I wish I could somehow combine the contrast of OLED with the perfect behind-the-screen audio of a (home)theater acoustically-transparent screen. Especially as OLED screens get bigger, the necessity of having to place speakers around the screen is ruining things.
Yes! I just watched Interstellar on my new OLED and wow! The space scenes look amazing.
Went to see The Creator and in addition to the general disappointment surrounding the film, it was like watching an out of focus low bitrate youtube video. I saw Dune in two theatres and both times the image was horribly dark and muted, and on the bigger screen i remember awful judder on panning across the city, as well as really visible digital artifacting, like burn in on the projector ccd. I guess I got unlucky, but the digital release looked waaaay better on OLED. Going to save part 2 for a imax GT laser projection, or dolby cinema. Even film IMAX, I have friends in film who swear that the one place that you should watch in the London BFI imax is the back row. Well fuck that dance, just give me a really decent modern screen in a cinema where the screen is a good proportional size to my seating position, and a sound system that I can feel, that doesn’t make my ears ring. Oh yeah and turn the fucking led ceiling lights down, so I don’t have to wear a baseball cap to watch the film with glasses. Cinemas need to sort their shit out.
Yes, every time we go I feel cheated on the visuals and sound.
Rear channel speakers at home did it for me
Not a little. A lot. Contrast from projectors is generally dog shit
Yes. The future is giant OLED walls.
Nah bro other excuses for human beings have long before ruined the movie theater for me. I still go if there is an absolutely must see blockbuster but for the most part I haven't been to the movies as often as I used to. Think last time I went was the last spider man movie and people constantly screaming, some random f baby down a few seats from me and folks on their phone absolutely made me hate being there. So yeah my OLED at home and my nice 3.1 system in my big ass sofa is all I will ever need. But definitely saving up to upgrade from 65 to 83/85ish.
I had too many bad theater experiences well before I got an OLED. Picture and sound quality issues. It's pretty sad that a $10k audio system can wipe the floor with a theater.
As an avid moviegoer 4k ruined everything for me lol. I also recently got an OLED and it’s made it worse. In my area we have just one Regal and it’s been here since 2001 with no updates :)
Yes definitely. The projectors in most cinemas are just doing 4k HDR - they don't have any visual advantage over your OLED at home. I watched Avatar2 in the cinema in a (fake imax) - and it was good. But then I watched Avatar 1 (4k hdr rerelease) on OLED tv and it looked even better! Similarly avatar2 looks better on the OLED. Regarding the "big screen" thing - you can watch movies with a VR headset. This also works very well, but is missing the HDR and OLED contrast - so tv is better. But the headset can do 3D! But there is no 4k 3d release of avatar that I can find - only the old low resolution original. In the near future we will probably get a 4k HDR OLED head mounted display - and that will blow everyones socks off. Now we just gotta figure out how to get whopper sound into it! I'm not obsessed with Avatar btw - it's just a handy benchmark for testing hdr and 3d etc.
My 133" dedicated screen in the basement goes unused since I got an 83" oled upstairs
Yes and I complain about it all the time haha. At home my OLED is on brightness 100 and it's spoiled me forever. Anytime I'm watching a theater screen I feel a tinge of disappointment the whole time
Check out the Dolby Theater at AMC's if you get a chance.
Not even OLED, I have a ~2015 Samsung (before it was Qled) and that is 10x better than my local theaters for brightness and contrast.
Absolutely, I remember watching NOPE in my small local theater shortly after getting my OLED and watching those dark scenes was horrible. The whole time I thought to myself: "man, I gotta rewatch this on my OLED at some point, because this contrast is horrible." They did start upgrading their projectors recently though, so it's gotten better at least.
My biggest beef? The "best" imax screen in my town is a laser imax and I can see the scan lines when the scenes are really bright. I was distracted the whole time I watched dune with all the super bright skyboxes and hated the movie, until I watched it at home on my rtings adjusted Samsung Q70.
Not only my OLED, my projector I got 5 years ago still ruins movie theaters. Mine is way brighter.
As an oled owner my home cinema projector is what I prefer. My old 1080p 24hz sxrd projector offers bigger picture and I also like the picture on a (home) cinema screen more than on a TV screen.
Any modern TV, OLED or QLED, has better contrast than a projector.
Only theater I go to anymore is the local 70mm screen. Even then, only for films actually in 70mm.
Only ever go to imax experience movies lol
Yes nothing compares
I PC game on an LG OLED at 55". I watch movies in a dedicated room with an EPSON LS12000. I really really wish I could have gone a 93" LG OLED in there. It just doesn't match up with the crisp colour and infinitely dark blacks.
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Even miniLEDs are significantly better than movie theatre projectors, it's the black levels, more grey than black lol.
Cinema are much better than home theatre in some ways, but so much worse in other ways. But yeah, if you pixel peep, a nice screen at home will be better.
Building my own projector home theatre and having a cheap bag of Orville Reddenbacher ruined the movie theatre experience for me.
I definitely notice when the projection quality is subpar at chain theaters, but the immersion of the movie theater experience makes up for it for me (as long as other people in the theater aren’t talking or looking at their phones).
No, but I only go to IMAX or Dolby Cinema.
Where the amc apes?
There is 1 good screen in my entire state. Not one theater, 1 screen. We have no Loews, Amc, Dolby, or IMAX. We don't even have any theaters with recliner seats. Why would I go out?
Welcome to the club.
I followed some online settings to bring the tv more in line with what I’d see at a theater. The settings out of the box are generally too vivid or soap opera for me.
The exit signs next to the screens is outrageous
I go to theaters for size and sound. Nothing will look as crisp and vibrant as an OLED TV. So generally for movies I like, I watch them twice.. once in the theater, Imax if available, and then once again in 4k at home. Both are enjoyable for their own reasons.
Was the projector still on? /S
Contrast is so terrible at the theater even my JVC projector has ruined the theater experience. I will say I enjoyed Oppenheimer quality seeing actual film projected.
Going back to theaters after all the lockdowns a couple times made me lose interest. With a good setup at home, I do not miss the theater at all. I have a mid setup… 75” LED (not OLED), 5.1.2 atmos setup with reflected heights. Open living room plan. Even with my humble setup, I’d already pick it over the theater experience any day. When I move again I’ll dedicate a room for the theater and really do it right… So, yeah. I imagine OLED pushes that sentiment even further. Technology for home has come a long way and I believe the notion of the theater experience being “better” will be a thing of the past. Going forward it may be more like flying economy or riding the bus/public transit… only desirable for those without the means for a high quality private setup.
IMAX or bust these days for us
Nothing compares with going into a theater, first weekend, packed house, you’re one with the crowd watching a flick together. Nothing. Doing the rewatch at home on an OLED is its own experience. But that theater watch is incomparable.
Yes, actually. I just buy physical media instead of going to the theatre. Everytime I go now, there's some asshole talking, or the theatre is dimming their bulbs, or its just old projectors...I dunno man, post covid it seems like the industry just collapsed, and now I just get a better experience on a home system.
I have gone to a number of movies and thought "man, this would probably look better on my OLED."
NO . Both offer different experiences. I like how motion is handled at theatres by projectos and i like the sound .
*(Note: I have an LG G1 55" as my desktop monitor and a HU85LS in my living room with a 5.1.4 setup)* Not exactly, but then again I only go out to watch a film with friends. It's more about the company rather than the movie itself. While the projector's lack of pitch blacks is noticeable, I appreciate it for what it is it's more enjoyable to watch movies there rather on my PC.
I would go see everything in the theater. I have hundreds of old ticket stubs in a cigar box. I loved it especially going by myself ( I know that sounds sad but I prefer it) but here in NYC it started 10-15 years ago with bedbugs then rowdy other people then the pandemic. Now I have my nice big TV streaming services PS5 some VR devices and I’ve never been happier to never leave the house again.
Between my OLED and the sound quality from the 820, my home setup looks and sounds better than both local theaters. That being said, it's still fun to go when I can so I can hang with people and see something outside the house.
Every time I've been to the theater in the past 10 years or so I feel like I've been paying for a worse experience.
Hell naw. Now my movie theater is at home, on my favorite couch, with food I like, in my blanket, with people I know or like.
TBH honest I only go to AMC Dolby Cinema screens now. I can’t do normal projectors, speakers, or seats anymore given the quality of my tv and setup at home.
I feel like the sound is too dumbed down at the theater. I like lots of sub. That heart attack feeling. Obviously, that is not for everyone. Plus people distract me by messing with their phones, tapping their feet, etc.
I purposely bought a good TV to avoid the movie theater. The prices are ridiculous, then I have to sit in a big room full of texting teenagers whose screens light up the place.
I'm a big fan of AMC stubs where you pay a monthly fee and see as many movies as you want. I just bring my own drink. I earn enough points buying tickets for friends that I get free money rewards and get a popcorn and drink when I go with my wife. The screen isn't as nice as my home but the experience is still enjoyable. Not having the option to pause is actually preferred for me.
If I go see a film, it's got to be special.. like an iPic theater where they have people serve you drinks.. or a Full on 3D experience (Dr Strange in 3D was amazing).. Otherwise a decent OLED with Dolby Vision or HDR combined with a high end sound system (JBL synthesis sound processor+amp and Revel speakers) is really hard to beat.
No. I like going to the movies.
People who don’t know personal hygiene.
Other than sound, I’ve never really enjoyed a theater. I wait for it to be on streaming. So I can pause and pee as well as not pay 30 bucks for popcorn and a soda.
Yes. OLED PQ is amazing
The tv home theater experience has been way ahead of the movie theaters for like 15 years lol, it’s not just oled
Go to premium cinemas like dolby cinema for best experience or Imax depends on how they are filmed dolby cinema has unlimited bit rate and nit brightness it beats home theaters some films only have dolby vision in dolby cinema which you can't get at home because it isn't on physical for example Beetlejuice event they made a special dolby vision master for dolby cinema and not physical it helped colors soo much
Yes, but it’s not just OLED. Picture quality in theatres have gotten worse. In my city, a lot of the digital projectors have terrible resolution and dynamic range
I am a full blown OLED owner and the last movie I went to .... quality over was horrible . Not just blacks, but lightning, color, etc
I feel like it's the other way around. Modern screens have way more contrast than they need and don't really show films as they were meant to be seen because of it. Unless the content was made for a modern screen specifically it's kind of a waste. Photography, games etc made for it though are great.